Varsity Head Coach

Dave Moore

After spending 18 years as an assistant coach at El Dorado, Dave Moore takes over the helm of the baseball program after longtime head coach Steve Gullotti retired at the end of last season. Moore, 39, will begin his head coaching career with the task of continuing a tradition of success that was set in motion for decades by his predecessors.

Moore began his baseball life hanging around the Lakewood baseball program as a boy, where his brother Mike was a Moore League MVP under then head coach John Herbold, whose hard-nosed brand of baseball made a long-lasting impression on Dave, helping develop his passion for the game.

Dave then began his tenure at El Dorado in 1985 as a player under Coach Gullotti, who also shares a belief for playing the game hard, with passion and intensity. Moore developed into an All County outfielder as a senior in 1989, when he helped lead the Hawks to a CIF Division 1 Championship.

After being prepped by Coach Gullotti, Dave went to play at Fullerton College and San Francisco State before trading in his cleats for a pair of coaching shoes.

Dave started his coaching career as a lower level coach in 1992, until 1999 when he became the Hawks assistant hitting coach, and in charge of the outfielders. In his first season as a varsity assistant, the Hawks won the Division 3 Championship. The Hawks were also named States Champions, setting several offensive records along the way.

In 2001, El Dorado again became CIF Champions, where Moore assisted then Head Coach Matt Stine; once again setting a few records in their quest.

Moore then continued to have success as an assistant for the next eight years, contributing to several players moving on to college and the minor leagues, as well as helping produce two All-Americans.

Dave, who works with campus security, finished his bachelor’s degree at Cal State Fullerton. In the off-season, Dave assists in the Placentia Hawk program, as well as being involved in several baseball camps, all the time making time for the river with his family.

Dave currently resides I Placentia with his wife Lori, his 4 year old son Jack and his 3 year old daughter Jenna.

Varsity Assistant Coaches

Matt Lucas

Coach Lucas starts his 8^th year coaching high school baseball in 2012. This is his 5^th year at El Dorado where his duties include coaching the pitchers, catchers and coordinating scouting efforts. Matt previously played under Coach Gullotti and Coach Moore from 1993-96. He went on to play baseball at Cal State LA after high school. Coach Lucas was a 2-time Academic All-American playing under the legendary coach John Herbold. Matt’s playing career led him to the Houston Astros organization. He played in the Astros organization from 2000-2003. Coach Lucas made a career change in 2005 when he went from playing to coaching. He became the Assistant Varsity Coach at Laguna Beach HS. He went on to become the Varsity Pitching Coach at Walnut HS from 2006-2007. Coach Lucas returned to his alma mater in 2007. Matt currently teaches AP Macroeconomics, Psychology, and Sociology here at El Dorado. Coach Lucas and his wife Julie reside in Placentia with their 4 year-old daughter Abbey, and their 2 year-old son Matthew.

Jeff Picou

Jeff Picou – Assistant Coach in entering his 2nd year coaching Varsity and previously was Junior Varsity Coach for 5 years in addition to his 8th year teaching art at El Dorado. He played baseball at Alta Loma High School. Jeff attended Cal State Fullerton and received his BA in 1999. He received his teaching credential in 2002. Jeff and his wife, Colleen, reside in Yorba Linda and are expecting their first child in May.

Ronnie Mertins

Ronnie Mertins is entering his second year coaching at El Dorado. For the past 10 years Ronnie has been involved in the program as a “go to” parent. He has assisted in numerous tasks as two of his boys have had successful careers in the baseball program. Uncle Ronnie has been coaching youth and travel baseball for the last 19 years. Besides coaching with the varsity team, he is also assisting in the Hawks program. Ronnie lives in Placentia with his wife Rhonda and his three boys Kurt, Kyle, Kent and daughter Kristi.