Coach Mark Gonzales is 32 years old. He’s known as “Coach Gonzo,” and he has brought honesty, caring and passion for baseball to the area.

    His next stop is Fort Lupton, where he’s taking over the program for Rudy Vasquez, who stepped down at the end of the spring season.

    Gonzales’ experience amounts to 16 years, starting out at Arvada West High School, then on to Standley Lake as an assistant coach. He then transferred his skills to Adams City as the head coach in 2003. Gonzales is a 1995 graduate of Adams City.

    During his time as the Eagles’ coach, he was named ESPN Radio Coach of the Week, the 5A Coach of the Year and earned a nomination as Coach of the Month from the Tad Powers Baseball Academy.

    So far, Gonzales has had a meet-and-greet with the athletes and their parents. The new coach is excited and optimistic about the competitiveness that Fort Lupton’s team will bring to the diamond.

    The Bluedevils finished second in the class 4A section of the Skyline League this spring and advanced to the regional tournament. Gonzales was at the games, getting some hands-on experience in order to prepare for the 2010 season.

    Gonzales and his wife, Debbie, have been married five years. They have three children – Manny, Lenny and Lydia.

Contact Bret Baker at sports@metrowestnewspapers.com or at 303-659-2522, ext. 205.