Bryan Donohue is the new head coach of the West Coast League's Kelowna Falcons.
A six-time coach of the year in the NWAC Southern Region, Donohue is entering his ninth season at Mt Hood Community College in Oregon.
Donhue replaces Billy Clontz, who guided the club for two seasons, including taking the Falcons to the WCL championship series in 2015.
Donohue, who has a career coaching record of 243-127, played Mt. Hood and at George Fox University where holds the all-time career batting average.
He also has WCL experience, playing with the Corvallis Knights in 2006, and won three league titles in the Northwest Collegiate Baseball League in Portland, OR.
“I’ve played in the league, and I’ve been wanting to get into the league for quite some time,” said Donohue. “I’m excited, and with a lot of connections from sending our players there and former players that have been involved in the WCL as well, I’m looking forward to building on the 2015 momentum.”
Clontz was an integral part of the Falcons hiring Donohue, who is grateful for the opportunity.
“Billy and I go way back and I have a tremendous amount of trust in him," said Donohue, who played with Clontz at the collegiate level. "He’s given me a feel on the right way to go about putting together the 2016 team, and I think understanding his experience with WCL recruiting has really helped,” said Donohue.
As for Clontz, the 29-year-old from Corvallis has accepted a full position with Ohlone College in San Jose.
“We would like to thank Billy Clontz and his staff for all their hard work over the last two seasons," said Falcons' GM Mark Nonis. "Billy was instrumental in getting the Falcons to the league championship series.”
The Falcons open up the 2016 WCL season June 3 at home to the Bellingham Bells.