When Mitch Karraker stepped into the head coaching role at Fresno City College in 2022, he didn’t walk into a new legacy, he walked into a responsibility.

Now, entering his fourth season, he’s made it clear: the Rams aren’t just continuing a legacy, they’re elevating it.

Under Karraker, the Rams has claimed three straight Central Valley Conference championships, sent dozens of players to the next level, and reignited the program’s standing as one of the state’s elite. Along the way, Karraker has earned Coach of the Year honors three times, but he’s quick to deflect credit.

“It’s about the players and staff,” Karraker said. “I just try to put them in position to succeed, they’re the ones who’ve earned everything we’ve accomplished.” 

From Valley Kid to National Stage 

Born in Mountain View and raised in Fresno, Karraker’s baseball roots run deep in the Central Valley. He played at Buchanan High, played at Fresno City, then transferred to the University of Oregon  where he became a gritty, defensive-minded catcher known for his leadership.

After graduating, Karraker began climbing the college coaching ladder. He spent nearly a decade coaching at Oregon, Baylor, and Loyola Marymount, before returning to coach at FCC in 2022.

And while he’s never satisfied, he’s grateful.

“This job is a blessing,” Karraker said. “Every day I get to walk onto that field with our guys, it reminds me why I started coaching in the first place.”

Culture, Not Just Championships

Karraker’s coaching philosophy centers on more than wins. He builds teams on respect, discipline, pride, and selflessness; values he instills from the first day of fall camp.

“We’re demanding, but we’re invested,” Karraker said. “If our guys leave here better students, better people and better players, we’ve done our job.”

His attention to detail and relationship-building have earned him respect across the conference, not only as a tactician, but as a mentor.

“The game’s built on relationships,” Karraker said. “I try to earn my players’ trust, because when they believe in what we’re doing, everything else follows.”

A JUCO Blueprint for Excellence

The junior college path isn’t always glamorous. Karraker deals with frequent roster turnover, fundraising challenges, and limited resources. But he doesn’t complain, he competes.

“You have to build fast and build smart,” Karraker said. “We structure this program like a four-year weights, academics, accountability; because we want our guys ready for what’s next.”

What’s followed is a stream of player development success stories: walk-ons turned starters, overlooked recruits turned scholarship athletes, Karraker said. That’s what fuels him.

“That’s the reward; seeing them grow and move on,” Karraker said. “It’s why we do this.”

Vision for the Future

With his team on the rise, Karraker is focused on what’s next. He’s advocating for facility upgrades, more training technology, and expanded resources to help the program sustain its momentum.

“Our field is historic, but we want to give our players modern tools to match their effort,” Karraker said. “We’re fundraising, planning, and pushing to take this place even higher.”

What Drives Him

Off the field, Karraker is a man of faith and family. He credits his parents for their support, his wife and children for grounding him, and his faith in Christ for keeping his identity rooted beyond the field.

“Baseball’s been good to me, it’s given me a career, friends, a purpose,” Karraker said. “But my faith and my family come first. Baseball is what I do. It’s not who I am.”

Still, it’s clear the game is woven into who he is and he’s helping his players become.

A Legacy in Progress

Three Coach of the Year titles. Three CVC championships. Dozens of player success stories. And still, Karraker’s focus is on the work ahead, building a sustainable powerhouse that reflects the Valley’s toughness, values and pride.

“We’re not done,” Karraker  said. “We want to keep getting better and leave this place better than we found it.”

With Karraker at the helm, the Rams aren’t just chasing titles, they’re building something built to last.

“We want to win championships,” Karraker said. “But more importantly, I want these guys to leave here prepared for baseball and for life.”