Joe Perez

Joe Perez begins his second season as the Cougars Assistant Coach and serves as the infield coach and assists with the hitters after being hired by Nathan Choate in June, 2023.
 
Last season, WSU won the Round Rock Classic title after posting wins over No. 24 Kentucky and Kansas in Texas while four players were named to the All-Tournament Team led by first baseman Joey Kramer who was named the Round Rock Classic MVP. The Cougars swept Arizona State for the second time in program history, recorded their first win at UCLA since 2014 and first win at Stanford since 2016. The Cougar defense turned the second-most double plays (50) in the Pac-12 Conference and posted a .976 fielding percentage, the third-best mark in program history. Following the season, three players earned All-Pac-12 honors.
 
Perez came to WSU after working the previous eight seasons as the Associated Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Central Arizona College, one of the premier junior college programs in the country, where worked with the infielders and hitters. Perez, the 2021 ABCA National Assistant Coach of the Year, helped the Vaqueros to a pair of Junior College National Championships, three Western District titles, two Region I Championships and three ACCAC Conference Championships.
 
During his tenure with the Vaqueros, 14 infielders awarded ALL-ACCAC, six awarded ACCAC Gold Gloves, and one NJCAA Rawlings Gold Glove for second baseman Pikai Winchester. In his short time with the Vaqueros, 23 infielders received scholarships to 4-year universities including 21 Division I programs. In 2019, Perez coached third base as the Vaqueros lead the ACCAC in stolen bases, runs scored and won the NJCAA National Championship.
 
Prior to his time at Central Arizona, Perez spent four seasons at Grand Canyon University where he worked with Choate for  Head Coach Andy Stankiewicz assisting with Infielders. As the Director of Baseball Operations, Perez organized and oversaw budget, travel, team orders, and administrative needs. In his four seasons at GCU, the Lopes were named the 2013 Division II West Region Champs, appeared in the Division II College World Series, and were named Western Athletic Conference Champs in 2015 while two GCU players were recognized with Rawlings National Gold Glove honors. 
 
Perez coached in the Alaska Baseball League with the Matsu Miners. The Miners won their first league title since 2010. Perez coached infielders and assisted with hitters. The Miners finished with a .966 fielding percentage and allowed the fewest unearned runs in the league. All four of Perez’s infielders from that summer went on to sign in the MLB draft.
 
Perez played college ball at Jamestown University in Jamestown, ND. As a senior Perez was named to the All DAC First Team and was also awarded with the DAC Gold Glove. In his time at Jamestown, the Jimmies won two DAC Titles. 
 
Perez graduated from Jamestown with his bachelor’s degree in health and fitness administration and a master’s degree from Grand Canyon in organizational leadership. Perez and his wife, Jacqueline and have two daughters, Mila and Elena.
 
Â