Mandy Torkelson is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Valley Christian High School for AZPreps365.com

Vince LaGatta has been coaching Valley Christian High School’s baseball team since 2019, transforming the program into a powerhouse. Under his leadership, the Trojans have won back-to-back state titles – the first for the school since 2011. 

LaGatta has also coached his two sons, Vinnie and Bagel LaGatta, while building a culture of dedication, teamwork, and passion.

“Coaching allows me to impact people, to impact young men,” LaGatta said. “Our job is to prepare them for their next journey.”

A former college football player at the University of California, Davis, LaGatta brings a love for sports and a steady presence to Valley Christian baseball. His approach focuses on discipline, preparation, and personal growth, shaping players both on and off the field.

“In college, I left some things there that I still regret 35 years later,” LaGatta said. “As a coach, I try to impress that we can’t leave anything else. You can’t take it back from that battle.”

Players say LaGatta’s influence goes beyond any other coaches they have had. 

“He will always defend us in any situation,” senior Brock Jackson said. “I think one of my favorite things about him is that when we succeed, he shows so much joy. He treats each one of us like we are his son, and he is a super good role model for us.”

LaGatta goes beyond just showing up on the field for his players. 

“He challenges me to be a better version of me than the best version of me last year,” Jackson said. “He pushes me to be a leader for the group, not just a leader for an individual.”

Both Jackson and senior Jaxen Maxey said LaGatta’s coaching goes far beyond the diamond. He challenges them to develop leadership skills, build character, and hold themselves accountable – not just as players, but as young men.

“I feel like I’ve never had a coach anywhere near him. I mean, he’s about business, but he also likes to have fun,” Maxey said. “He is definitely very unique.”

At Valley Christian High School, there is a high standard for players and coaches to be the best versions of themselves and set a strong reputation for the school and the program. 

“We have a great culture here, but we have high standards. And my job as a head coach is to make sure that we don’t slip from that,” LaGatta said. “Always making sure we aren’t playing the opponent, we’re playing ourselves.”

For LaGatta, the job is about more than wins and titles. It’s about shaping young men who carry the lessons learned on the field into the rest of their lives. Players say his influence will last long after they leave Valley Christian. 

“He is a great role model, a great leader, and he’s definitely a great Christian leader,” Maxey said. “I learned a lot from him, like how to be a man.”