Bio

One of the most knowledgeable and respected coaches in the country, Dennis Rogers -- during the 2015-16 academic year -- will be in the midst of his 27th year at the helm of Riverside Community College District’s baseball program.

During the 2014-15 campaign, Rogers guided the Tigers to a 22-17 overall won-loss record. In the always tough Orange Empire Conference (OEC), the Tigers were 9-12 (seventh place). Riverside City College (RCC) received the No. 18 seed in the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Southern Regional playoffs. Riverside won a play-in game, 6-2, at No. 15 Cerritos before losing a pair of games in a best-of-three series at No. 1-seeded Palomar College (May 1-2). 

Through his detailed work ethic and unparalleled leadership, Rogers quickly took a once unknown baseball program and created one of the most successful and recognized community college baseball programs in the nation. That recognition intensified when the Tigers won their first California Community College Baseball Championship in 2000. It has continued to grow as Riverside won the 2001 and 2002 California Community College Championship, becoming just the third college to win three consecutive championships. The Tigers also won the 2007 state championship.

Rogers took over the struggling program in 1990. The program had seen just 28 victories over the previous three years. By the time his first season was complete, Rogers had led the Tigers to a then-RCC-record 32 wins, as well as a spot in the state finals.

After Rogers’ impressive inaugural season, all eyes focused on the 1991 club.  Proving that the previous year was no fluke, Rogers again coached the club to the state finals with 36 victories. Under Coach Rogers, the Tigers have won three conference titles, finished runner-up six times and won three consecutive California Community College State Championships (2000, 2001, 2002), as well as the 2007 state championship.

With Rogers’ leadership, the Tigers have amassed an overall record of 798 victories, 420 losses and four ties. These victories have led the Tigers into 22 years of playoff participation, where the team has qualified for second round playoff action in 20 seasons.

Rogers began his successful baseball career as a middle infielder for the legendary John Scolinos at California Polytechnic State University, Pomona, during the 1971-74 seasons. His all-California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) selection in 1974 drew the attention of the San Francisco Giants for whom he played during the 1974-75 minor league season.

After only one season of professional baseball, Rogers suffered a career-ending eye injury which ultimately led to the start of a brilliant coaching career.

Rogers began his coaching career in 1976 as an assistant at John W. North High School in Riverside. A year later he became the head coach at San Gorgonio High School in San Bernardino, where he piloted the team to a CIF 4A Championship. Rogers later moved to San Bernardino Valley College where he helped the club to two consecutive regional championships as an assistant.

During the 1980-83 seasons, Rogers again found himself under the tutelage of his former college Scolinos at Cal Poly Pomona. As an assistant coach, Rogers’ recruiting efforts brought together a team that would produce two NCAA Division II National Championships in a four-year span.

As if these accomplishments were not enough, Rogers also managed the Medford A's - Oakland’s (rookie) Class-A team in Oregon - after the collegiate season at Cal Poly
Pomona. From 1982-84, Rogers led Medford to a remarkable 149-63 record (.703 winning percentage) and captured the 1983 Northwest League Championship. In 2003 & 2004, he coached the Oakland A’s (rookie) Class A team in Vancouver. In 2004, he led the Canadians to the Northwest League Western Division Championship.

Rogers’ professional coaching career continued during the 1986-87 seasons, coaching the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Class AA Nashua (New Hampshire) Eastern League club as well as the Pirates’ Class-A Macon (Georgia) team. During these two seasons, Rogers also served as the organization’s Field Manager and Field Instruction Coordinator.  

All in all, fifty-one minor league players who have played for Rogers have advanced to the major league level.

In 1988, Rogers left the Pittsburgh Pirates organization and joined the staff at Cal State Fullerton where he helped coach the Titans to a third-place finish in the 1988 NCAA Division I College World Series.

As Riverside City College’s all-time winningest baseball coach, Rogers has compiled one of the more impressive and balanced coaching careers in the country.  His wealth of coaching experience and knowledge of the game has made him one of the most sought-after clinicians in the game. Having been a featured speaker at national conventions and an evaluator/coach for the USA Olympic trials in 1997, Rogers continues to make an impression on players and coaches throughout the country.

Rogers’ unique professional background and undeniable success at producing quality players and coaches have also made him one of the most sought-after coaches for which to play.

Rogers earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education in addition to earning a teaching credential from Cal Poly Pomona. Rogers went on to earn a master’s degree in secondary education from Azusa Pacific University.

When off the field, Rogers' family includes wife Connie, son John, 36, and daughters
Brittany, 31, and Rhiannon, 17.