Jose Gonzalez, Jr. took the reins of the Claflin University softball program in the fall of 2021. Since taking over the program, he has hit the ground running and taken the team to new heights.
It didn’t take long for Gonzalez to make an impact on the Lady Panthers’ program as he led the team to an historic season in 2022. The team’s historic run began when they won the first Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championship in school history with a perfect run to the 2022 CIAA Softball Championship. The team was not done when they went on to reach the championship round of the 2022 NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Championship Tournament. Heading into the tournament as the #6 seed, the Lady Panthers took wins over Bloomsburg and the host Shippensburg Raiders.
Gonzalez, Jr. came to Claflin University with an impressive resume that highlights a wealth of experience. Prior to taking over the Lady Panthers program, Gonzalez served as the softball head coach at Savannah State University. He spent 14 years leading the Tigers’ program. During that time, he became the winningest coach in program history and achieved numerous accomplishments along the way. He led the team to multiple Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Southern Division championships (2012, 2015). He was named the MEAC Softball Coach of the Year twice (2012, 2015) during his tenure. Gonzalez’ success began prior to the team joining the MEAC as he was also nominated as the NCAA Division I Independent Coach of the Year. Under his guidance, the Tigers saw several student-athletes to earn athletic and academic honors. Among the honorees was a three-time MEAC Softball Player of the Year as well as the 2013 MEAC Rookie of the Year. The team’s successes extended into the classroom with several student-athletes earning spots on the MEAC All-Academic Team as well. When Savannah State University made the transition from NCAA Division I to NCAA Division II, Gonzalez led his team to national statistical rankings in six different categories.
It was on the baseball diamond that Gonzalez, Jr. gained much of his preparation for coaching the Lady Panthers softball team. Prior to taking the reins at Savannah State, Gonzalez spent four years as the junior varsity baseball head coach at Englewood High School where he also spent a season as an assistant varsity baseball coach at Englewood High School.
Gonzalez, Jr. is no stranger to athletic success as he had a great career as an athlete himself. It was on the gridiron instead of the diamond where Gonzalez made his impact. He played two seasons as a free safety at the University of Southern Mississippi where he was a two-year letterman. He also played two seasons at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Gonzalez was a multi-sport student-athlete at Englewood High School where he played four seasons as an outfielder, four years in football, two seasons in basketball, and a season in track & field.
Gonzalez, Jr. holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Coaching and Sports Administration. He also holds an Associate of Arts degree from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
