Erie Names Jose Rivera Head Softball Coach

BUFFALO, N.Y. – SUNY Erie Athletics has announced the hiring of Jose Rivera as the new head coach of the Kats softball program.

Rivera brings more than 15 years of coaching experience at the high school, travel, and showcase levels, with a proven track record of developing student-athletes both on and off the field. His extensive coaching background includes leadership roles in baseball and softball, where he has built successful programs while emphasizing player development, accountability, and a team-first culture.

Most recently, Rivera has served as the head coach of the NY Inferno Showcase Team in Western New York, leading a highly competitive program focused on preparing athletes for collegiate softball. He has designed advanced training programs centered on game-speed execution, situational awareness, and athletic movement while mentoring players through the college recruiting process and high-level tournament competition.

Rivera also guided the NY Inferno 14U travel softball team during the 2024-25 season, overseeing all aspects of the program including practices, player development, scheduling, and game strategy. Prior to that, he spent two seasons as head coach of the Amherst Lightning 12U and 14U teams.

Earlier in his coaching career, Rivera served as an assistant coach with the USSSA Pride 10U and 12U program from 2019-22, helping organize practices, evaluate players, and manage tournament competition.

In addition to his softball experience, Rivera spent eight seasons coaching baseball at Yucca Valley High School in California. He served as the varsity head baseball coach from 2011-15 after previously leading the junior varsity program from 2009-11 and working as a varsity assistant during the 2008-09 season.

"I am excited and honored to join the SUNY Erie family," said Rivera. "This is a program with a strong tradition and tremendous potential. I look forward to building relationships with our student-athletes, helping them grow on and off the field, and competing for championships while representing the college with pride."

"We're excited to welcome Jose to SUNY Erie," said Athletic Director Steve Mullen. "His passion for teaching the game, commitment to player development, and experience building successful programs made him the ideal choice to lead our softball program. We look forward to seeing the future of Kats softball under his leadership."

The Kats are coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history, capturing the 2026 NJCAA Region III/North B District Championship and earning the program's first trip to the NJCAA Division III Softball World Series since 1989. SUNY Erie finished the season with a 20-12 record and also claimed the Western New York Athletic Conference Player of the Year and Coach of the Year honors.