GREENSBORO, N.C. – Cal Poly Pomona Associate Head Baseball Coach Jenzen Torres has been named the 2026 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) / Soldier Sports Division II National Assistant Coach of the Year, recognizing one of the nation's premier coaches and a Bronco whose impact on the program spans nearly two decades as both a student-athlete and coach.
 
"When Randy [Betten] called to inform me about the award, I was completely surprised and speechless," said Torres. "It is an incredible honor to even be nominated, let alone being named National Assistant Coach of the Year."
 
A cornerstone of Cal Poly Pomona baseball, Torres has helped guide the Broncos to 394 wins since joining the coaching staff in 2013. During his tenure as associate head coach, recruiting coordinator, catching coach and pitching coach, he has helped guide the Broncos to nine NCAA Tournament appearances, five CCAA championships and two NCAA West Region titles while developing six All-Americans and numerous professional players.
 
His influence extends well beyond the field. Current assistant coach Anthony Mizrahi, who was recruited by Torres, played for him, and now coaches alongside him, said Torres' greatest strength is the genuine investment he makes in every student-athlete.
 
"He cares about you as a player and as a person," Mizrahi said. "He pushes you to develop and thoroughly understand the game, but he also takes the time to get to know everything about you. He truly cares about what's going on in your life and how you're doing. He is the best communicator I know and it doesn't take him long to connect with any player."  
For Torres, that approach was shaped by his own experience as a Bronco student-athlete.
 
"What made me want to coach here after finishing playing was the positive impact that Randy Betten and Bret Lachemann had on me not only as a player, but as a person," Torres said. "Once I graduated, I knew I wanted to have the same positive impact on as many student-athletes as they did for me."
 
"Coach Torres is a tireless worker on and off the field," said Betten, who coached the former Bronco star during the 2011 and 2012 seasons. "His passion for teaching the game of baseball is infectious and I'm very proud of his dedication to his craft. As a player, he had already shown great leadership qualities, so it was an easy transition for him to go into coaching. His commitment to the game of baseball and CPP has always been second to none. It's exciting for our program and for Coach Torres to receive such a great honor."
 
The same leadership qualities that defined Torres as a player have become hallmarks of his coaching career.

"He's always the first person here and the last one to leave," Mizrahi added. "He is always working on how individual players and the program can get better every single day. He wants nothing more than for everyone at CPP to succeed. What makes Jenzen a special coach is his care and attention to detail."
 
Long before becoming one of the nation's most respected assistant coaches, Torres established himself as one of the greatest players in Bronco baseball history. A three-time All-West Region catcher from 2009-12, the Valencia native remains Cal Poly Pomona's all-time home run leader with 34 career homers and ranks among the program's all-time leaders in games played, games started, at-bats, hits, runs batted in, total bases, runs scored, walks, putouts and runners caught stealing. He also holds the school record for most hit by pitches.
 
The former catcher's most memorable playing moment came on April 27, 2012, when he launched three home runs at Cal State East Bay, the final one being the record-breaking 34th homer of his career.
 

 
Torres' connection to Cal Poly Pomona extends far beyond the baseball diamond.
 
"Cal Poly Pomona means the world to me," Torres said. "I have literally grown up on this campus from an 18-year-old freshman to today. I met my wife here at freshman orientation, and we now have an amazing two-year-old daughter, Jaylynn. CPP has given me a life that I would not trade for anything."
 
"I'm excited that Jenzen is being recognized as the National Assistant Coach of the Year," said Cal Poly Pomona Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Brian Swanson. "I have been fortunate to see him excel as a member of our Bronco Baseball team and successfully transition into a highly respected and extremely knowledgeable assistant coach. Jenzen has continually and passionately moved our program forward, and the individual successes and team accomplishments speak for themselves during his time as a member of our coaching staff."
 
The lessons Torres learned as a player continue to shape generations of Broncos. According to Mizrahi, Torres' consistency and commitment to improvement have never wavered.  
"Jenzen is one of the most consistent people I know," Mizrahi said. "He shows up every single day with a plan of 'How can we get better?' He is dependable, and his mindset is incredible. Whatever life throws his way, he will always be prepared to overcome any obstacle. He has gone from being my coach, to colleague, to best friend, all the way to the best man at my wedding. He doesn't just impact people on the field, he makes an extraordinary impact away from the field as well. He's an amazing friend, a great husband, and an outstanding father."
 
Now, the former record-setting slugger has added another chapter to a Bronco legacy that continues to shape the program, earning national recognition from the ABCA for his contributions to one of Division II baseball's most successful programs.
 
"I would like to thank my wife, Rosslyn, for her unconditional love and support," Torres concluded. "Being a coach's wife is not easy, and she has always been understanding and patient with me during this journey. Thank you to Randy Betten for mentoring me, believing in me, and always pushing me to be the best version of myself. Thank you to all the former and current CPP coaches, players, and administrators for helping me grow. And last but not least, I would like to thank my parents, Robert and Lorraine, for their unwavering support and love."
 
From breaking home run records as a student-athlete to developing championship-caliber players and teams as a coach, Torres' latest honor serves as a fitting tribute to one of the most influential figures in Cal Poly Pomona baseball history.