John Downey

Email:

john-downey@redwoods.edu
Year:

2nd Season
Title:

Head Coach
Phone:

(530) 949-0334

Bio

Coach Downey was born and raised in Redding, California, and graduated from University Preparatory High School in 2017. He then began his college baseball career at College of the Siskiyous. After two years, he transferred to Kansas Wesleyan University on scholarship and enjoyed a four-year stint there, which was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. During his time at KWU, Coach Downey helped the program win 2 KCAC titles in 3 seasons. During this time, as well, he earned the Champion of Character award.

After wrapping up his playing career in 2023 and earning a Bachelor’s Degree in pre-athletic training as well as a Master's of Business Administration (Sports Management), Downey went on to begin his coaching career in Houston, Texas. There, he began coaching youth and high-school level baseball at the Select level with Team Houston, which gathered the best talent from across the city from multiple age groups. Team Houston developed multiple NCAA Division 1 talents and even has players in the MLB.

Coach Downey brings a highly detailed, fundamental-focused approach learned from his championship-winning experience here to the College of the Redwoods. This has been instilled into the program’s DNA. Players can expect a personal approach that focuses on developing a well-rounded player with the goal of moving them on to the next level.

College of the Redwoods baseball has had a 95% placement rate at the next level, spanning across all divisions (NCAA DI, DII, DIII, NAIA, professional). In Coach Downey’s first season, 9/11 sophomores moved on to the next level, ranging from DI-DIII and top NAIA programs.

Mission statement: The CR baseball program is focused on the development of each member in every aspect of the student-athlete lifestyle, including academic success, athletic development, life skills, and professional development, with the goal of moving on to the next level.

We will help young men to the best of our ability in the development on the field as well as prepare them for their lives after baseball.
On the field, we will play hard, fast, and the right way. We will be fundamentally strong on defense and demand excellence all-around.
Offensively, we will be action-oriented, taking advantage of each player’s strength.
We will hold a high standard for ourselves and our teammates and accept no less.