Torrance, CA (January 13, 2026): Bishop Montgomery is excited to announce the hiring of Joe Podzimek '95 as its new Head Softball Coach. Podizmek, a graduate from the Class of 1995, is the 11th coach in program history.
While at Bishop Montgomery, Podzimek competed in both baseball and varsity wrestling. Following high school, he attended the University of Arizona, where living across the street from Arizona’s softball field, he gained valuable firsthand insights into the game and built strong connections with the team under Mike Candrea. After four years in Arizona, he returned to the South Bay and completed his degree in Criminal Justice at Cal State University, Long Beach.
He began his coaching journey in 2016, where he served as President of Tri Park Little League and founded a softball program from the ground up while also growing the baseball league from 115 players to 240 players in his first year. In 2018, he joined the Torrance Girls Softball League, coaching recreational and All-Star Gold teams from 2019-2022. Starting in 2023, he coached the USA Athletics Podzimek 2029 team and led his teams in Triple Crown and PGF championship tournaments, earning impressive national placements: 13th at the 2024 Colorado Sparkler, 3rd at the 2024 Reno Triple Crown National Championship, 12th in the 2024 PGF Premiere Division in Irvine and 6th in 2025 Triple Crown National Championship San Diego.
A dedicated mentor, Podzimek has a passion for teaching softball, empowering his players not only to excel in the game but also to develop resilience, discipline, and confidence that will serve them in life and their future careers. He and his wife are the proud parents of two children.
"I look forward to returning to Bishop Montgomery in a coaching role and leading an amazing group of young ladies in the program,” says Podzimek. “It gives me great pride to give back to my high school and give these players the same experience that I had as a student-athlete."