ELAC Names Godinez, Hines As Co-Athletic Directors

(Information for this release courtesy of East Los Angeles College sports information)

East Los Angeles College confirmed two current coaches, football head coach Bobby Godinez and baseball head coach James Hines will serve jointly as the Huskies' new athletic directors. 

"I am excited to have both Coach Godinez and Coach Hines to serve in this role," said Marvin Martinez, President, East Los Angeles College. "I know they will both carry on the legacy established by Al Cone for ELAC to continue to have (one of) the best Athletics program in the state."

At 36, Godinez is one of the youngest community college athletic directors in the country. He joined the school's athletic department in 2016, is full-time faculty in the kinesiology department and will continue to coach the football team. Godinez coached the Huskies to two straight winning seasons for the first time in nearly 40 years. ELAC will return to the upper division this season in the SCFA. East LA last won a state title in the 1974 season.

Hines, a full-time faculty member since 2002 and the baseball coach since 1998, guided the Huskies to the state championship game in 2000. He's won four conference titles and hit the 400-win mark in 2016. He received his bachelor's in sociology from Cal State Los Angeles and a master's in education (emphasis in physical education) from Azusa Pacific University. Hines played baseball at ELAC in 1992-1993 under then head coach Cone. He earned a scholarship to Cal State Northridge. In 1995, he began coaching as an assistant for the East LA baseball program.

Godinez earned a bachelor's degree in sociology and a master's in kinesiology (emphasis in sports management) from San Jose State University where he excelled and was named Academic All-American and received all-conference honors.

After completing his degrees, Godinez signed a free agent contract with the NFL's Washington Redskins, which ended in a career-ending injury. He coached three seasons at Gardner-Webb University, a season as an assistant coach at Mt. San Antonio College (2010) and one season as an assistant coach at Pasadena City College (2009).

Godinez became a JC All-American, All-State football safety at Mt. San Antonio, resulting in a scholarship to San Jose State.

Prior to becoming the ELAC football coach, Godinez was interim coach of the men's and women's track and field head team at PCC in 2015-16. At Victor Valley College he was the men's basketball head coach (2013-2015), leading the Rams to a playoff berth, and served also as an assistant football coach (2013-14).

"I'm excited to begin a new chapter for ELAC Athletics following in the footsteps of a legend such as Al Cone," said Godinez. "(It's) going to be a huge task, but I'll use the blueprint to help better this department."

A resident of Montclair, Godinez and his wife Jennifer have three children, daughter Payton and sons Avery and Grayson.

Hines is excited to contribute as co-athletic director. "I've stepped on board … (because) I'm looking forward to getting involved with all student athletes and meetings that help promote the athletic department … and with legislation at the state level for athletics in the California Community Colleges," he said. "Also, to improve on some of the things Al Cone did, who left it in good shape with the sense that when you inherit something, you want to make it better." 

Hines coached 16 All-Americans, some that have gone on to play baseball professionally.

Hines and his wife Renee are residents of Glendora and have three children, daughter Malena and sons Julian and Oliver.

Follow ELAC Athletics at http://athletics.elac.edu/landing/index