Our Coaches
“Coach Goose”
Josh Goossen-Brown
After not receiving a single offer from any college, I went on to play at LA Valley Junior College. I realized throwing 75 mph sidearm wasn’t going to get me to the next level so I went back to pitching over the top. I can confidently say there was not a single player that outworked me that year. I would wake up and lift every morning at 6:00am. From there I would go straight to the field to get extra swings in before class. The work paid off again, I was named the Division Player of the Year, the team MVP, a Southern California All-American, and earned a Western State Conference Gold Glove. Most importantly I received a full scholarship from Cal State Northridge to play Division 1 baseball.
When I stepped on campus as a sophomore, I had to prove myself all over again. I was moved from 3rd base to catcher and initially wasn’t getting many innings on the mound. Once I got my opportunity, I made the most of it. I continued to get stronger and was reaching low 90’s off the mound. However it all came to a halt when I tore my latissimus dorsi before my junior season, the biggest season for the draft. It was the worst pain I had ever felt and left me with my lat hanging on by a thread. I was afraid I’d never be able to pitch another game in my life. I came back the next season throwing 80-83 mph. Even with these low numbers I still was able to match CSUN’s single-season record that year with nine saves and earned an all Big West Conference selection. I also led the team with 60 hits, 47 runs batted in, and was the league leader in fielding after committing zero errors in 442 chances.
The following year was a changing point in my career. I knew that if I wanted to get drafted, I needed to throw hard. In summer ball I started long tossing everyday thinking my lat would either completely snap off or I would get stronger. I took the risk and immediately saw results. I was able to get my velocity back up to 90 mph and continued to implement high intent throwing days into my routine. I moved on to the University of San Diego to play my final year of college baseball. By the time the season rolled around I was up to 94 mph. Without a doubt this is the reason my dream came true and I was drafted by the Chicago White Sox.
As a professional baseball player for 6 seasons, I continued to study and learn what it takes to throw at high velocities. I would always try to soak up every ounce of information I could receive from my teammates and coaches, I continue to learn new skills everyday but now my only goal is to help impart this knowledge on every player that works with me.
“Coach Nick”
Nick Garcia
NICK GARCIA, M.S., IAAF (LEVEL 5), CSCS,USA WEIGHTLIFTING
Team Goose is lucky to have Nick Garcia of Garcia Performance to develop the strength and speed programs for all of our athletes. He is one of the leading high school coaches in the country. He has served as the strength coach at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, CA since 2003. He has been a key reason why the baseball program has had so much success in recent years, being recognized as one of the top teams in the county.
After playing baseball in high school, Garcia focused on shot putting in college. As a student at California State University, Northridge, Garcias was a two-time Big Sky Conference champion in the shot put. In ten years of post-collegiate training, he increased his personal best to 18.35 meters.
With a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Kinesiology, IAAF Level 5 certification, CSCS certification, and USA Weightlifting credentials, Nick is also an experienced presenter on both strength training and throws training. He is a faculty member for the Gambetta Athletic Improvement Network (GAIN)and has presented at the Canadian National Throws Conference, LA84 Advanced Clinic, and multiple courses and clinics for both the World Athletics Center and HMMR Media. He has also consulted on athletic development topics with professional teams in the sport of rugby.
