| February Newsletter What is the AzBCA?The Arizona Baseball Coaches Association (AzBCA) is committed to advancing coaching expertise by offering professional development through our annual clinic, packed with valuable training and resources. We create opportunities for coaches to connect, collaborate, and build lasting relationships within the community.  Coach Spotlight – Jeff Holland, MesquiteCoach Jeff Holland: Leaving Everything on the Field at Mesquite High School. For nearly three decades, Coach Jeff Holland has been a constant presence at Mesquite High School, building not just a baseball program but a culture rooted in toughness, honesty, and pride. His coaching journey began the same way he expects his players to compete, fully committed with no regrets. After finishing his college playing career at McNeese State, Coach Holland earned his degree in elementary education and stepped into coaching in 1996 at Highland High School as the freshman baseball coach. When Mesquite High School opened its doors in the fall of 1998, Holland joined the Wildcats and he has been there ever since. What started as a job quickly became a lifelong calling.A Philosophy Built on Competing Fearlessly. Coach Holland’s coaching philosophy mirrors the way he played the game. He believes in toughness, accountability and competing without fear. Sometimes the other team is simply better but for 21 outs his players are expected to leave everything on the field and see what happens.If you get your butt kicked you get your butt kicked but you do not back down.That mindset has defined generations of Mesquite baseball players, especially the 2001 to 2004 classes which remain deeply connected to the program. His mantra is simple throw down do not be afraid and do not live with the what if. Having lived with teammates who went on to the big leagues Coach Holland reminds his players that effort and competition matter more than outcomes.What players appreciate most is his openness. He is honest direct and invested not just in winning games but in helping young men become better people. Years later former players often return to thank him not for championships but for shaping them into better husbands fathers and coworkers. Building a Program That Lasts. Mesquite baseball has always been about more than one season. Coach Holland emphasizes discipline accountability and community values he believes are uniquely reinforced through high school athletics. While club baseball provides exposure he believes high school baseball provides something deeper pride in representing your school commitment to teammates and the understanding that championships matter. You can come back to Mesquite 25 years from now and those trophies will still be there.This year’s team enters the season after graduating 11 seniors making it a younger more inexperienced group. But experience has never been an excuse in Coach Holland’s program. Opening the season against Basha does not change the approach everyone puts their cleats on the same way and the weight room does not lie. This team wants to stay together compete and prove itself the Mesquite way. Mentorship Rivalry and Relationships. Coach Holland credits much of his growth to the mentors who shaped him including respected coaches like Dawson Theil Kibbler and Luketich. Early in his career he also built a lasting competitive relationship with Coach Woods at Hamilton High School. Their friendly rivalry rooted in mutual respect has pushed both programs to be better year after year. That competitive fire paired with strong relationships is how Coach Holland builds team chemistry. His teams are motivated not by slogans but by standards. Moments That Matter Most. Among countless games and seasons a few moments stand above the rest. Coaching his two sons remains the most personal and challenging experience of his career. Determined to avoid favoritism it was the hardest thing he has ever done but also one of the most rewarding.On the field nothing compares to winning his first state championship in 2015 against Liberty. It was a milestone that validated decades of work and belief in doing things the right way.Still Coach Holland insists he has the best job in the world. His message to players is blunt and honest if you are tired of getting beat play better. Defining Success Beyond the Scoreboard. For Coach Holland success is not measured solely by wins and losses. It is defined by reputation and character what people say about you when you are not around. It is about doing the right thing when no one is watching. That is the legacy he wants his players to carry with them after graduation. Work ethic Nothing is given you earn everything Money does not define who you are Be a good husband father and coworker Do not chase recognition do your job and good things will follow. After nearly 30 years at Mesquite High School Coach Jeff Holland’s impact is undeniable. Championships may hang in the trophy case but his true legacy lives on in the men who once wore a Mesquite uniform and learned what it means to compete commit and leave everything on the field.  Darren Couturier Legacy ScholarshipPlease see the following message from Darren Couturier about the Dale Couturier Legacy Scholarship. Thank you so much for helping me promote our family scholarship fund that we established in honor of my father. I truly appreciate your willingness to share this opportunity, and I wanted to provide additional background that you may pass along to the players and coaches you connect with. Coach Dale Couturier has been a lifelong coach and mentor to many in all facets of life, but coaching baseball has always been his greatest passion. Throughout the early and mid-1990s, Coach Dale volunteered countless hours supporting our local Little League and improving facilities in the Greenway/Thunderbird area. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, he founded and managed multiple competitive travel baseball teams in Arizona, helping create a pathway for many local players to reach the high school level.In the early 2000s, Coach Dale built a batting cage and small practice facility in his backyard, where he could often be found throwing batting practice to neighborhood players after work and on weekends. Even after our class graduated in 2003, he continued to volunteer at Greenway High School, dedicating countless hours to coaching student-athletes, improving facilities, and assisting with fundraising efforts. In late 2023, my father was diagnosed with a complicated form of kidney cancer. The past two and a half years have been extremely difficult for our family. Through numerous medical procedures and visits from family and friends, one constant has stood out—my dad most fondly reflects on his years as a baseball coach as the most meaningful and fulfilling times of his life.As a family, that reflection inspired the creation of the Dale Couturier Legacy Scholarship Fund. The goal of the fund is to raise and donate money to student-athletes, providing financial assistance to aspiring baseball players. In our own way, this scholarship is how we hope to pass along the legacy, inspiration, and impact that my dad had on so many young athletes. For anyone interested in learning more or getting involved, our website can be found here: https://dalecouturierlegacyscholarshipfund.com/ The website includes: 1. Our story 2. How to contact us 3. How to apply for the scholarship 4. How to donate, for those interested in contributing Please feel free to share this information with as many coaches and players throughout Arizona as possible so that we can identify a strong applicant to award this year’s scholarship in my dad’s honor. Application timeline: -Applications are open now through March 1. -Applications will be reviewed throughout March. -Our goal is to present the scholarship award in April, prior to the busy end-of-year schedule with playoffs, graduation, and other commitments. Thank you again for helping us spread the word and supporting our mission. On behalf of my dad and our entire family, we sincerely appreciate your support. AzBCA Updates: All-Star Game – All-Star voting will be conducted through our online nomination form, which will be available at the end of the season in April. Teams will be chosen by the regional representative during the All-State Meeting in early May. The All-State voting will take place at Apollo High School on Sunday, May 3rd. Membership Fees – Please pay your AzBCA memberships here: http://azbca.org/ AIA Training – Please remember to complete your AIA training for the year. Assistant Coach Emails – If you have an assistant coach who wants to be involved, please send their name and email to this email: kobe.azbca@gmail.com |
Cody Brassfield
