Romeoville, Ill. – After an extensive coaching search that spanned the country, Lewis University Assistant Vice President for Athletics John Ashaolu announced today (June 12) that Julio Godinez has been named the sixth head coach in Lewis baseball history. Godinez is a proven winner at multiple levels of collegiate athletics while developing talent that has gone on to play professionally.
 
"We are excited to welcome Julio Godinez to Lewis University as our next head baseball coach" Assistant Vice President for Athletics John Ashaolu said. "Julio has a proven track record of building successful programs, developing student-athletes, and competing at a championship level. Throughout the search process, he demonstrated a clear vision for the future of the baseball program and a commitment to fostering a culture built on accountability, relationships, and competitive excellence.
 
Since taking over the Lake Land College baseball program in 2019 Godinez and his staff have been able to move 85 players to the next level with 26 Division I Commits, 25 Division II Commits, 10 Division III Commits, and 24 NAIA commits. Additionally, two players coached by Godinez heard their name called in the MLB first player draft with Hayden Birdsong going to the San Franciso Giants and Cole Paplham signed by the San Diego Padres.
 
"My family and I are honored and humbled to be named the next head baseball coach at Lewis University" Godinez said. "Lewis is known for its strong faith-based community while promoting excellence both on and off the field. I want to thank president elect, Dr. Christopher Sindt and Assistant Vice President of Athletics John Ashaolu for trusting my vision and allowing me to lead this Flyers baseball program in building a championship level mindset."
 
"We had strong interest in this position from candidates across all levels of college baseball and professional baseball and Julio emerged as the right leader for our program" Ashaolu said. "We are confident he will make an immediate impact and are excited for the future of Lewis Baseball under his leadership."
 
This past season at Lake Land College, the Lakers went 39-18 and advanced all the way to the Region XXIV Tournament Championship Game. Godinez best year with the Lakers came in 2025 as he guided his team to a 45-21 overall record and Region XXIV Championship. The Lakers then defeated Iowa Western twice to then punch their ticket to the JUCO World Series. At the JUCO World Series, Lake Land defeated Blinn, Salt Lake and Florence-Darlington Tech to advance all the way to the Final Four. The Lakers ended the year ranked fourth nationally, the highest ranking in program history. The 2025 Laker Baseball season also saw 21 student-athletes move on to play at four-year schools, the largest committed group to move on to play at four year schools under Godinez. Additionally, the Lakers collected a slew of awards as Lucas Bixby, Drew DuPont and Vinny Spotofora earned All-Region XXIV. Bixby was also named Co-GRAC Pitcher of the Year while DuPont snagged JUCO World Series All-Tournament Team honors. Kiefer Tarnoki and Eddie Latamendi collected Gold Glove honors with Latamendi named the Region CCIB Tournament MVP. Brandon Johnson rounded out the player award winners, getting named Midwest District MVP. The 2025 season also saw Godinez earn NJCAA Midwest District Coach of the Year for his team's effort on the diamond in their historic season.
 
History making is not new for Godinez as in 2024 he led the Lakers to a 30-24 record, marking the first time in 25 years that the Lakers reached the 30-win pleateau while the year before in 2023, he saw his squad compete for the Region XXIV Championship game for the first time in 15 years.
 
Before returning to Lake Land College in the fall of 2019, Godinez spent six seasons as an assistant coach at Division I Eastern Illinois of the Ohio Valley Conference, working in numerous capacities such as their Panthers pitching coach, assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. With Godinez in the dugout, the Panthers had three All-Americans, numerous All-OVC selections and saw multiple MLB Draft selections such as Trey Sweeney (1^st Round – 20^th overall/New York Yankees), Will Klein (5^th Round/Kansas City Royals), Michael YaSenka (17^th Round/St. Louis Cardinals) and Jimmy Govern (30^th Round/Kansas City Royals). Godinez oversaw the implementation and development of pitchers, such as YaSenka, while with assisting with the recruitment of student-athletes. In the spring of 2019, Godinez saw his Panthers pitching staff set the school record for strikeouts with 495 while continuing the programs 13-year streak of posting a 3.0-or-better GPA. His 2019 squad saw  
 
Also during his time with the Panthers, EIU earned a handful of wins against ranked opponents or Power Four with wins over programs such as #12 Arkansas, #14 Louisiana-Lafayette and Michigan State during his time in Charleston, Illinois.
 
From 2012-13, Godinez was an assistant coach at Lake Land College in his first appearance with the Lakers. Prior to Lake Land, he also coached at Graceland and Murray Community School. A member of the American Baseball Coaches Association, Godinez played at Kishwaukee College from 2007-09 and at Graceland University from 2009-11. He played over 100 games at Graceland and earned Heart of American Conference honors both years at Graceland.
 
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
"Coach Godinez is as hardworking and caring of a human being I know. Lewis undoubtedly got a good baseball coach in him, but a better person. He'll work relentlessly to push the heights and standard of what it means to be a Lewis Flyer on and off the field. I have a tremendous amount of respect for what he's done at previous stops and truly believe Lewis is in great hands."
Blake Beemer – Head Baseball Coach, Butler

"Julio cares about his players and their growth at a truly elite level. College sports keeps getting more transactional every year, but he still leads with respect and treats every guy on the roster like he matters. That's rare now, and it's the reason guys want to play for him. Lewis made the right call bringing him in. I think the Flyers are about to take off."
Matt Porter – Former Player Under Julio Godinez/Pitcher, Liberty University
 
"Julio is one of the best workers/coaches with a sincere passion for the game and developing talented and young men"
Tom Koosten – Tampa Bay Rays Area Scout
 
"I'm very excited for Coach Julio. He's the most passionate and devoted coach I've ever played for and has taught me lessons that I will remember for the rest of my life."
Drew DuPont - Former Player Under Julio Godinez/Outfielder, Appalachian State
 
In the short time Julio was my coach he made a big influence on me and the Lake Land Team. He always knew how to keep us on our toes. He has a great skill set that I know Lewis University will be lucky to have. He definitely made my time at Lake Land a fun time. He became a coach and a friend to look up to.
Hayden Birdsong - Former Player Under Julio Godinez/Pitcher, San Francisco Giants Organization
 
"Lewis University is getting a great baseball man but an even better person. He has shown that he can have success on the field without taking shortcuts. Coach Godinez has worked his way up the coaching ladder with hard work, honesty, and a willingness to put in the time necessary to place winning teams on the field and in the classroom. I'm very excited for his future."
Jason Anderson – Head Baseball Coach, Eastern Illinois
 
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