Tony Nieto #15 - Varsity Head Coach
Tony Nieto enters his fourth season as the head coach of Tesoro Baseball and 20th season overall as a head coach. In Nieto’s three seasons at Tesoro, he has guided his teams to 62 wins. The 2022 Tesoro Titans will always be remembered as the most accomplished team in the 20-year history of Tesoro Baseball. They rewrote the Tesoro record books in route to a program best 28 - 8 season, two 8-game win streaks, finishing the season with 9 consecutive wins the program's first CIF Southern Section Baseball Championship, Tesoro High School's first ever CIF State Championship, and Cal-Hi Sports State Team of the Year.
The 2023 season was again an exciting season for the Titans, finishing with a 21-9 overall record. The Titans were crowned the South Coast League Champs by sweeping Capo Valley (first time in program history) in the last week of the season and finishing league with a 10-2 record. The CIF playoffs started with bang by winning an extra inning affair with a game winning walk-off homerun by Jackson Freeman against Paloma Valley. The season ended with a tough 6-3 loss to West Ranch.
In 2022, Coach Nieto earned his 300th win as a coach with an 8-2 win over Culver City in the CIF Playoffs; was named CIF Coach of the Year; and Cal-Hi Sports State Coach of the Year. While at Tesoro, Nieto has coached 4 All-CIF players, a CIF Player of the Year, an All-State Player and 4 of his players have continued to play in college.
Nieto was born and raised in Southern California. He played baseball at Schurr High School in Montebello, California, where he was named to the All-Foothill League team and All-Area infielder his senior year. He then played four years at the University of Southern California and was named team captain his senior year at USC. In his four year career at USC, Nieto started at every position on the field except 2nd Base and Centerfield, until he settled in as a pitcher his senior year. In 1994, he was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds. He played 2 seasons in the Reds organization and one in the Baltimore Orioles organization. Nieto has also coached at the college level with Loyola Marymount University (2000 & 2001). At Loyola Marymount, he helped guide the Lions in the 2000 season to a 3rd consecutive West Coast Conference championship. The Lions finished the regular season ranked 10th in the nation, eventually losing in the western regional semi-final to host Cal St. Fullerton.
Nieto has had the honor of having five of his former players play in the major leagues: Anthony Reyes (Pitcher, Cal High Alumni 1999); Bill Traber (Pitcher, LMU Alumni 2000; played with the New York Yankees in 2008); Josh Whitesell (Pitcher/1B, LMU Alumni 2002; played with the Arizona D-Backs and the Washington Nationals in 2009); C.J. Wilson (Pitcher, LMU Alumni 2001); and Joc Pederson (Outfielder, Waimea Waves 2010, currently playing for the San Francisco Giants).
Nieto also coached for five summers in the Hawaii Collegiate Baseball League. During that span, his teams reached the championship game twice. In 2009, his Waimea Waves team set the league record for the most wins in league history with a 28-12 mark.
Coach Nieto was the head coach at California High School in Whittier, California for 16 years. During his time at California HS, he finished with the most career wins as baseball coach in school history with 265. His teams won 7 league championships and made 13 trips to the CIF playoffs. In 2007 & 2008, the Condors reached the Quarter Finals in consecutive seasons; and in 2014 & 2015, they reached the Semi-Finals in consecutive seasons. In 2012 & 2015, Nieto was named the Daily News Coach of the Year. Throughout Coach Nieto’s tenure at Cal High, he coached 15 All-CIF players, 5 Players of the Year, 11 Pitchers of the Year, and has also seen 54 of his former players go on to play at the college level.
In 2019 & 2020, Coach Nieto was the pitching coach at Capistrano Valley HS. In Nieto’s first season at Capo Valley, he helped guide the team to a South Coast League Championship. His pitching staff had a season ERA of 1.70. During his time at CVHS, Coach Nieto had four of his pitchers earn scholarships and a total of 7 pitchers continue on to play at the college level.
Coach Nieto graduated from USC in 1995 with his BA in Communications and has a Masters and teaching credential in Special Education. Nieto resides in Mission Viejo with his wife Veronica (Whittier College '97; USC '16 Ed.D.) and their three sons: Noah, Dylan (Tesoro ‘21), and Aidan (Tesoro ’26).
Jim Campanis #31
Jim Campanis #31
Jim Campanis #31
Varsity Assistant Coach
Jim “Campy” Campanis returns to the baseball program for his fourth season at Tesoro as the Varsity hitting coach. He comes from a family line of major league players. His Grandpa Al played for the Brooklyn Dodgers and was Jackie Robinson’s roommate in the minors. Later, he was also a Dodgers scout and signed Roberto Clemente and Sandy Koufax. In 1968, Al Campanis was named General Manager for the Dodgers, won several National League Titles and the 1981 World Series over his 20-year tenure. Jim’s dad, Jim Sr., played for the Dodgers, Royals, and Pirates over his 15-year career.
Coach Campy attended Valencia High School in Placentia. He made Varsity as a Freshman and through his senior year, went on to make All-Orange League four times, All-County twice, All West-Regional, and was selected to play on Team USA. He was recruited by a number of colleges for football and baseball but signed to his first choice of schools, the University of Southern California.
At USC, Campy moved from infield to catcher. He honed his leadership skills and became team Captain. As a Sophomore and Junior, Campy led USC in Home Runs and RBI’s. His 92 RBI’s in 1988 are still the most in USC Baseball history. He hit .392 and his 23 home runs are second only to Mark McGwire. In 1988, he earned First Team All-Pac 10, Runner-Up Pac-10 MVP, USC MVP, and First Team All-American Catcher. He was selected again to be on Team USA.
In June of 1988, Campy was the #71 pick in the draft as a third-round selection of the Seattle Mariners. His first pro baseball team included Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. Over the next four years, he was awarded All-California League Catcher, Team MVP in the Carolina League, the starting Catcher in the first-ever All-AA All-Star Game, All-Southern League Catcher, and was added to the Mariners Major League Roster 1992.
Coach Campy wrote a book about his family’s three generations of pro baseball players called “Born Into Baseball”. He currently has worked with hitters and catchers at every level of the game from High School to the Pros.
Coach Campy has been married to his wife Lisa for nearly 30 years and has two adult sons, Alex and Tommy. They reside in Phillips Ranch, CA.
Moy Gonzales #28
Jim Campanis #31
Jim Campanis #31
Varsity Assistant Coach
Moy returns to the Titans for his fourth year in the program. Coach Moy has done an excellent job the past three years guiding and preparing his freshmen to play at the next levels of Tesoro Baseball. This season, he will be on the Varsity staff as the infield/third base coach. He was born and raised in Southern California. He attended La Mirada High School where he was a 2-sport athlete. After graduation he joined the United States Navy where he served 6 ½ years in the elite US Submarine Force. He was Honorably Discharged, then attended Cerritos College where he played catcher and was named team captain of the Baseball team. He then transferred to USC where he played baseball for 2 years and help lead the Trojans to the NCAA College Baseball Regionals in Austin, Texas.
After playing, Moy coached baseball at La Mirada High School and St Mary’s High School. Coach Moy has volunteered and coached baseball in the local youth leagues for many years. Coach Moy has twin boys that played baseball and graduated from Tesoro, connecting him to Tesoro HS for many years. Coach Moy graduated from USC in 1993 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
Noah Nieto #23
Varsity Assistant Coach
Noah returns for his third season at Tesoro. Noah was part of the coaching staff in 2021 but returned to play college baseball in 2022 at East Los Angeles College. He graduated from California High School in 2018 where he was a two-year varsity player. In 2020, his college season was cut short due to the pandemic. During the shortened season, Noah played outfield, first base, third base and pitched for the Huskies. His 2021 season was canceled in February and afforded him the opportunity to coach at Tesoro.
In 2022, Noah pitched for the Huskies. Once their season finished, he returned to help coach the Titans on their historic playoff run to a CIF & State Championship. While at ELAC, he earned two Associate of Arts degrees. Noah will be graduating from Cal St. Fullerton in the spring, with his Bachelor’s degree in Communications. His goal is to pursue a career in Real Estate. This season Noah will be working with the outfielders, hitters and coaching first base.
Sy Smaker #95
Blake Robinson #96
Blake Robinson #96
Jr. Varsity Head Coach
Coach Smaker has been at Tesoro since 2006 as a Speech Pathologist. He has coached basketball at Tesoro and is currently part of the Titans football coaching staff as well. Coach Smaker is from the Bay Area (Big Fan of the Giants, Niners and Warriors). He played football and basketball at Ygnacio Valley High School and went on to play football at Chico State. From there he headed to Virginia where he received his Masters at James Madison University (home of the Fighting Dukes).
The 2024 season is Coach Smaker’s third year working with Tesoro Baseball, but he has a lifetime love of the sport. Coach Smaker has been married for 24 years to his wife Carrie and has 3 boys; Caden (Tesoro Alum 2018, TCU graduate), Chase (Tesoro Alum 2020 now at Virginia Tech), and Curren (Tesoro ‘26). Coach Smaker is looking forward to the new challenge of coaching high school baseball and cannot wait to see the JV team grow and succeed.
Blake Robinson #96
Blake Robinson #96
Blake Robinson #96
Jr. Varsity Assistant Coach
Blake returns to his alma mater and joins the Titans for his third year in the program as the JV Assistant Coach. Blake graduated from Tesoro in 2019. He began coaching in 2016 and has coached several youth league all-star teams and travel ball teams. He has had the privilege of coaching and working with several high school coaches and professional players over the years.
Coach Blake was born and raised in Ladera Ranch, California. Last Spring, Blake graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Cal State Fullerton after attending Saddleback College for 2 years. Coach Blake is incredibly excited to share his knowledge of the game with the players and is looking forward to helping the team have a successful season.
Chad Namack
Matt Engelken
Matt Engelken
Freshman Head Coach
Coach Nammack joins the Tesoro Baseball staff for his first season. Coach Chad Nammack grew up in Manhattan Beach, CA where he attended Mira Costa High School. He played 3 sports; football, basketball and baseball earning 7 Varsity letters and several All-League and All-CIF honors. In addition, he played for Andy Lopez who would later lead University of Arizona Baseball to a NCAA Championship.
He then went on to play baseball at USC and was a teammate of Coach Jim Campanis. There he was one of a handful of players to play for legendary college baseball coaches Rod Dedeaux and Mike Gillespie. He earned degrees in Economics and History graduating in 1989. Upon graduating, he began his coaching career and went back to school to get credentials in teaching (CUSDH ‘92) and a Masters (Azusa ‘98) in education/PE. He has worked as an assistant coach in football and baseball at Rolling Hills HS and Mira Costa HS and was in charge of catchers/bullpen at Harbor Junior College. He then went on to be a Head Baseball Coach at Burbank, South Torrance and El Camino Junior College. His teams consistently won achieving over 200 wins, 10 playoff bids and Ocean League Coach of the year honors. He has sent numerous players to college and has 4 players with stints in MLB including MLB All-Star and batting champ Freddy Sanchez with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
He and his beautiful wife Amy have been career teachers; they are both Special Ed teachers in the district at San Clemente HS and Kinoshita Elementary respectively. They share 5 kids (in and beyond high school) and they live in nearby in Dana Point. In his free time, he likes to golf, hike and ski. He is genuinely excited to help and continue the excellence of Tesoro Baseball.
Matt Engelken
Matt Engelken
Matt Engelken
Freshman Assistant Coach
Coach Matt joins the staff for his first season with the Titans. Matthew was born in St. Joseph, Missouri and moved to the Central Valley of California during middle school. While attending Turlock High School, he was a 3-sport letter winner and saw CIF playoff action in football, basketball, and baseball. He earned Central California Conference All-Conference honors in baseball, and represented the 209 in the Area Code Games. As a left-handed pitcher, Matthew played four years of Division I baseball at the University of THE Pacific in Stockton, CA. He graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Sports Management and a minor in Business. Matthew completed his teaching credential and Master’s Degree in Special Education at California State University Fullerton. This will be his 19th year in Capistrano Unified School District as an Education Specialist. He has spent many years coaching youth baseball in south Orange County. His former players have earned All-Conference Honors, All-CIF recognition, and CIF Championships at the high school level. Matt’s son Caden was a member of the Titans CIF & State Champions in 2022 and is now attending UC Santa Barbara.