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Josh Kliner- Varsity Head Coach

Coach Kliner has taught and coached at El Modena High School since 2004, taking over head coach duties in 2008, leading the Vanguards to two league titles and seven playoff appearances during his tenure. After playing baseball at Servite, Coach Kliner played two seasons at Cypress College for Hall of Fame Coach Scott Pickler, leading the Chargers to the 1994 California State Championship. He garnered 1st Team Division I All-American honors as a second baseman in addition to Big Eight Player of the Year in 1996 after transferring to the University of Kansas. He has played professionally in the Diamondbacks organization, Independent Leagues and in France. Coach Kliner resides in Placentia with his wife Amy and daughters Mia and Ava.

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Jude Chavez - Varsity Assistant Coach

Jude Chavez (EMHS Class of '96) has coached at El Modena since 2002 with a two-year stint coaching with legendary Orange Coast College Coach John Altobelli from 2006-2007. Coach Chavez played two years under Altobelli at OCC before transferring to Chapman University as a right fielder and team captain, leading the Panthers to two College World Series appearances and earning All West Region honors there under Coach Rex Peters. Coach Chavez resides in Tustin with his wife Amy and two kids Jack (EMHS Class of '28) and Ava (Class of '30).

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Allen Martinez - Varsity Assistant Coach

Coach Martinez has been the El Modena Varsity pitching coach since 2016 after starting at the Freshmen level in 1999 and coaching JV from 2000-2002. He graduated from Upland High School in 1993 where he was a three-year varsity baseball letterman and was twice named a First Team All-Baseline League player. He attended Chaffey Community College in 1996, playing as a third baseman and closer, before completing his collegiate baseball career at Chapman University in 1998. While at Chapman, he was a teammate of Coach Jason Moeller and helped lead the Panthers to the NCAA Division III World Series. He currently lives in Orange and works in Santa Ana, CA.

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Chris Van Camp - Varsity Assistant Coach

Coach Chris Van Camp has coached at El Modena High School since the 2018–19 season, following a successful tenure at Villa Park High School from 2010 to 2018, where he served as head coach from 2013 to 2018. During his time leading the program, he built a reputation for developing student-athletes through a strong emphasis on effort, growth, and accountability.

A 2000 graduate of Valencia High School (Placentia), Coach Van Camp continued his playing career at Santa Ana College under Don Sneddon before transferring to Chapman University, where he played for Tom Tereschuk. As a center fielder and shortstop, he was a member of Chapman’s 2003 National Championship team.

Coach Van Camp believes that great performances are built on a foundation of continuous improvement and learning from mistakes, with a focus on effort over outcomes. He resides in Anaheim Hills with his wife, Rachel, and their children, Harper and Hensley.

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Luke Honikel - Varsity Assistant Coach

Luke Honikel is a graduate of Servite High School, where he was a two-year letter winner, team captain, and First Team All–Trinity League selection as a senior after batting .381 with 10 extra-base hits. He was also ranked the No. 24 outfielder in California and No. 142 overall player in the state for the Class of 2021 by Prep Baseball Report. He continued his playing career at Cypress College, earning First Team All–Orange Empire Conference honors both seasons. Over two years, he hit .342 with 33 extra-base hits (12 HR), 67 RBI, and 79 runs scored. Honikel went on to play at the University of Oregon as a junior and finished his collegiate career at Cal State Northridge.

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Devin Alvarado - Head JV Coach

Coach Devin Alvarado (EMHS Class of '16) is in his first season as Head Coach of the JV program after spending the last three years contributing to El Modena’s athletic programs as a strength and conditioning coach, helping student-athletes improve performance, build confidence, and compete at a high level. After playing for Coach Kliner, Coach Alvarado earned his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from CSULB, later completing his Master’s degree in Education. His academic background, combined with his playing experience, has shaped his passion for athlete development both on and off the field. Over the past several years, Coach Alvarado has worked side-by-side with some of the top youth athletes in California in the area of strength and conditioning. Coach Alvarado is committed to developing fundamentally sound players, fostering a competitive team culture, and continuing the proud tradition of El Modena Baseball.

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Matt Summerlin - JV Coach

Coach Matt Summerlin is an alumni of El Dorado High School. After graduation he went on to get his Bachelor’s Degree at Cal State Fullerton for Criminal Justice, but his passion has always been with the game of baseball. At an early age he participated in multiple Travel teams as well as the program “RBI” (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) where he was around some of the sport’s best young athletes. He’s volunteered, coached and even played under many of SoCal’s programs. This year marks his first season working with El Modena Baseball and he hopes to help develop players and help them reach their full potential. He’s excited to get started here at his new home, El Modena.

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A.J. Lemnitzer - Freshmen Coach

Coach AJ Lemnitzer (EMHS Class of '20) played baseball at Foothill High School from 2016–2019 playing baseball there as both a second baseman and outfielder before graduating from El Modena High School after the shortened 2020 season. He went on to play baseball at Questa Junior College.

Coach Lemnitzer has been part of the El Modena baseball program for the past six years, serving first as an assistant coach before spending the last five years as a head coach at the lower levels.

 

Through his time in the program, he has focused on player development and building a strong foundation of fundamentals. His coaching philosophy centers on mastering the small, most important details of the game, believing that success is built on doing the fundamentals at a high level before progressing to the more advanced and “flashy” aspects of play.

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