Jose Ortega joined the Highlanders Softball Program as assistant coach on June 13, 2014 following a stint as the Associate Head Coach at Riverside City College since 2006.
While at RCC, Ortega worked as the hitting coach to develop philosophies for the program, while also executing team offensive strategies. He actively recruited players for the Tigers, and created scouting reports of opposing teams.
In conjunction with his time at RCC, Ortega has been a team coordinator/coach at the Amateur Baseball Development (ABD) Baseball Academy, coaching and developing high school athletes in preparation for college athletics.
Ortega began his collegiate playing career at Riverside City College before transferring to the University of San Diego. He played two seasons for the Toreros (2003-04), and graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 2004, and moved up to AAA in 2005.
He got his first coaching job with the Indians in 2006 serving as infield coach.
Ortega resides in Riverside with his wife, Whitney, and their daughter, Sophia.
