Coaches
Anthony Ferro
Head Baseball Coach
Coach Ferro returns for his ninth season as the head coach of the Butte College Roadrunners Baseball Team. Coach Ferro’s first eight years at the helm have proved extremely successful, as Ferro’s teams have compiled a winning record of 184-139-1. During the 2011 season the team was ranked as high as #2 in the Northern California Coaches Poll and remained in the Top 10 for the entire season. The Roadrunners won a total of 29 games, the most during Coach Ferro’s tenure, which included an 11-0 pre-conference schedule, and a season-starting 15-game winning streak, earning him Coach of the Year for the Golden Valley Athletic Conference. Ferro has now compiled seven consecutive seasons of 20+ wins.
Coach Ferro remains committed to his goal of having a complete program that produces not only quality baseball players, but quality people as well. Ferro believes that success in the classroom is mandatory for the players in this program and he is committed to helping his players move toward earning a college degree. This attitude is engrained in his players as they have proved extremely successful in the classroom while being a part of a winning baseball program. Over fifty percent of Coach Ferro’s players maintained a GPA of 3.0 or higher last season, and because of this commitment towards academics, the 2011 team was once again the recipient of the Roadrunner Athletics Department reward for top attendance at athletic study hall. This was the fourth straight year the baseball team has received this honor.
Because of Ferro’s attitude towards excellence, nearly every sophomore has graduated and moved on to a Four-Year University to not only continue education, but to continue their dreams of playing baseball at the next level. In Ferro’s eight years on the job, he has placed a total of 59 players at four year institutions. Ferro has boasted seven Division-I players, including last year’s team Ace Pitcher Tanner McIntyre who has signed with Virginia Tech, twenty-seven Division II players, and seventeen more who have gone on to play at NAIA universities. In addition, three ex-Roadrunners have had the opportunity to play in the College World Series. 2007 graduate Chris Cooper (Azusa Pacific) played in the NAIA World Series, 2005 graduate, Josh Tavelli (UC Irvine) made it to the Division I College World Series, and Jacinto Rivera, (California State University, Los Angeles) also a 2005 graduate played in the Division II College World Series. Lastly, three Roadrunner Alumni have signed professional contracts. Most recently Michael Gleason (RHP) was drafted in the 34th round by the Boston Red Sox. Alberto Rolon (RHP), a member of the 2009 Frontier League Championship team and Derrick Miramontes (RHP) are playing independent professional baseball.
The 2011 season once again showed great individual success to go with the team’s overall success. 4 Roadrunners were selected 1st Team All-Conference, and another 4 were chosen as 2nd Team All-Conference Selections. Additionally 5 Roadrunners were selected to the Golden Valley Conference All-Academic Team, and two players, Austin Prott (1B/DH) and Greg Ruggles (OF were recognized at the Presidents Athletic Academic luncheon.
At seasons end 5 Roadrunners signed letter of intents to play at the next level; UC San Diego, Culver-Stockton, Virginia Tech, Colorado State University-Pueblo. In addition 4 Roadrunners Greg Ruggles, Brandon Evans, Alec Abend, and Taylor Johnson were selected to the CCCBCA Pre-Season All-American Team. Two more Roadrunners received special recognition as Pitcher Tanner McIntyre was a 2011 All-Northern California Selection, and Sophomore infielder Dave Henderson received a 2011 California All-American nod and West region Gold Glove Award.
Before returning to the Butte program as Head Coach, Ferro spent parts of two seasons as an assistant coach and head recruiting coordinator under Lindsey Meggs at Chico State. Ferro was an intricate part of the Wildcats 2002 campaign where the team finished with an impressive 55-10 mark and were the National runners up in the Division II College World Series. Prior to coaching at Chico State, Ferro was the head assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Cal State Stanislaus from 2000-2001.
Prior to Ferro’s jump to NCAA baseball, Ferro spent four years as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Butte. During that time, Ferro was also the head coach of the Chico Stix semi-professional baseball team. Ferro is also beginning his fourteenth year of professional scouting as an associate scout for the Milwaukee Brewers Organization.
A native of Woodland, California, Ferro received his Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education in 1997 from Cal State University, Chico, and a Master’s degree in teaching pedagogy in the year 2000. Anthony and his wife, Sarah, have two children: six-year-old, Grace, and two-year- old, Audrey. The Ferro family resides in Chico, California.
Brian Thomas
Pitchers
Brian Thomas will begin his fifth year at Butte College serving as the pitching coach. He brings a plethora of baseball knowledge to the Roadrunner staff. Brian was the closer at Chico State in 2002 where coach Ferro was the infield coach. “I am absolutely thrilled to have Coach Thomas running our staff, I thoroughly enjoyed coaching Brian at the collegiate level and now enjoy working with him on the field." stated Coach Ferro.
Born in Ford Ord. California, Brian spent his high school years at West Torrance High school, located in Los Angeles. At West High he was a standout baseball player, selected to the first team All-Area squad for two years (with an over all record of 20-2). Brian then attended Los Angeles Harbor College where he made the Southern California All-Star team. He then signed a letter of intent to play at Chico State University. In his two years at Chico Brian received All-American honors as well as Co-MVP. After Chico Coach Thomas then played one year of professional baseball with the Yuma Bullfrogs in the WBL. Coach BT has been the pitching coach for the Chico Nuts American Legion program for the last three summers.
Brian graduated in 2006 from Chico State University, Chico with a B.A. in Kinesiology. He is currently working at Butte College as the equipment specialist in the Physical Education department.
Bret Ringer
Recruiting Coordinator
Infielders/Hitters
Bret is entering in his second season with the Butte College baseball team. Bret's main responsibilities will be to work with the infielders and hitters. He will also play an integral role in the recruiting process as well as all other daily aspects of the program.
Prior to Butte, Bret was an assistant coach at Chico State where he helped lead the team to the NCAA Championship Tournament in 2010. “I am absolutely thrilled to have Coach Ringer join our program! We are fortunate to have such a great person and one of the top, up and coming coaches in California on our staff, said Coach Ferro.”
Coach Ringer was born in Stockton, California and graduated from Lincoln High School. Bret was an Area MVP as a senior and helped lead his team to two league titles. He then attended Feather River CC where he earned All-American and Conference Player of the Year as a sophomore. In 2008 he signed a letter of intent to play third-base at Chico State where he earned the National Gold Glove Award for his outstanding defensive play.
Bret received his Bachelor’s degree from Chico State in May 2010. He is currently working towards his Master’s degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration.
Joe Vetting
Catchers/Hitters
Coach Vetting is entering his first season as an assistant coach at Butte College. Joe’s primary responsibilities will be working with the catchers and hitters while assisting in day-to-day operations.
Prior to Butte Joe was a two-year assistant at Chico State and spent last season coaching at Dixon High School.
Joe was born in Denver, CO and grew up in Dixon, CA where he was a four-year starter at the varsity level for Coach Sergio Martinez. He was named all-league honorable mention in his sophomore and junior seasons and was all-league his senior year. Coach Vetting then moved onto Sacramento City College where he red shirted before transferring to Napa Valley College. He played two seasons under Coach Bob Fresci and was named the starting catcher his sophomore season but broke his hand 18 games in. Joe then walked-on at Chico State but was unable to play an inning due to multiple knee surgeries.
Joe received his Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Chico State and would eventually like to get his Master’s degree. Coach Vetting also coaches for Hard 90 Baseball Academy in El Dorado Hills during the off-season.
