Bio

Head Coach Tom Nilles has led the Santa Ana College baseball program to two state championships and four state tournament appearances in 11 years at the helm.

Under his watch, the Dons had one of the best seasons in school history as they broke several different single season program records including most wins (44), runs scored (563) and home runs (80) on their way to the 2026 title. 

In addition, SAC took home their 23rd Orange Empire Conference (OEC) championship in school history (1st since 2014) during the 2026 season. 

Nilles was named OEC as well as California Community College Baseball Coaches Association (CCCBCA) Coach of the Year for the second time in his career.

He now trails only the late hall of fame coach, Don Sneddon, in state championships and wins in program history after earning his 300th in the final game of the 2026 season.

In 2023 Nilles secured his first state title as the Dons' skipper, leading a resilient 36-15 squad through a dominant postseason run.

Despite a slow start to the season, Santa Ana was able to weather the storm and go on a hot streak in the last leg of the season as they won 15 of their last 18 games to bring home their first championship since 1996.

Prior to his appointment at Santa Ana College, Nilles was the Associate Head Coach at Fullerton College from 2010 through 2015.  Before to his arrival Fullerton had not participated in the post-season since 1992, until the 2013 season.  Nilles was instrumental for the 2013 turn around, where the Hornets won their first ever OEC championship and had their first ever State Championship appearance that they eventually lost in the final game. 

During his time there, Nilles recruited and developed several draft picks including Dylan Prohoroff (8^th round), Shane Carrier (8^th Round), Laine Huffman (25^th) and Jose Rojas (36^th).  In total, Coach Nilles had part in 9 players being drafted, 57 players moving to play at the 4-year level and 17 earning Division 1 scholarships.  During his tenure, Nilles was also able to develop five All-Americans and ultimately revive a Fullerton College program back to championship status.

From the 2007 through 2009 seasons, Nilles served as an assistant coach for a Sierra College team that went 105-50 over the three years he was there. The apex of his three seasons at Sierra College was the 2008 State Championship that also saw the Wolverines finish as runners-up in the National Champion rankings.

While Nilles was at Sierra College he aided in the matriculation of 40 student-athletes, 19 of which earned Division-I scholarships.  14 more Wolverines moved on to play Division-II baseball and five total players were drafted.  The 2008 State Championship was sandwiched by two Super-Regional berths where both seasons (2007 & 2009) ending up with a loss in the final game to move on to the Final Four.  Over Nilles’ three years at Sierra College they averaged 35 wins a season.

Before his arrival in Rocklin, CA, Nilles was an assistant coach at Diablo Valley College for the 2006 season and two years at his alma mater, Laney College in Oakland, CA for the 2004 & 2005 seasons.