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What’s next for Johnny Wiggs after being welcomed into the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame?
Coaching for his 18th season with the Santa Fe baseball program, Wiggs reached two major milestones this past month: 600 program wins and 800 career wins.
The achievement is a cause for celebration, placing Wiggs in an esteemed position among junior college coaches. It also serves as a testament to the progress made with the team since he took over in 2007.
A Steady Legacy
Wiggs has dedicated over two decades of his life to this team. Under his leadership, Santa Fe is now one of Florida’s most respected junior college programs.
Thanks to Wiggs’s leadership, the Saints have secured nine Mid-Florida Conference titles. Additionally, they have made two trips to the NJCAA World Series, finishing as runner-up in 2009.
In 2023, Wiggs began the season with 26 straight wins — setting the record for the best start in Santa Fe’s history. That year, the Saints also ended with a perfect 24-0 season in non-conference play.
However, more than just winning games, Wiggs is known for building a program where players grow as teammates, competitors, and individuals.
Major League Baseball outfielders Mallex Smith and Keon Broxton are just two of the players Wiggs has mentored to greatness. Both players have become role models in the MLB, excelling with professionalism both on and off the field.
Smith was nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award during his time with the Tampa Bay Rays. He also received MLB All-Star honors in 2014 and 2015. Broxton also earned an All-Star selection in 2014, and again in 2016.
Developing the Next Generation
Wigg’s hard work doesn’t stop with Smith and Broxton. Weather it’s game-planning or mentorship, Wiggs remains hands-on every step of the way. He continues to blend accountability with player development, and his impact is evident in both the stats and in the dugout.
Robert Nedry, a Santa Fe sophomore and transfer from NC State, shared his positive experiences with Wiggs.
In a pre-season interview, Nedry reported players on the team being sick with fevers and showing up to the game anyway. The sick players did this in respect for their teammates, resulting in a win against Lake Sumter State College.
While showing up sick in the Florida heat might not have been the best decision, it demonstrated the players’ commitment to the team– especially since the real season hadn’t even started yet.
Though it was the players’ decision to play despite being ill, it takes a coach like Wiggs to inspire that level of dedication.
This will be Nedry’s last season with the Saints before returning to North Carolina to play for the University of North Carolina Charlotte. However, he will take the growth he experienced under Wiggs’s mentorship with him to the next chapter of his career.
It’s common to see Wiggs offering feedback between innings. He is often caught encouraging a struggling pitcher or challenging a hitter to adjust his approach. The milestone win reflects the consistency of that approach — and the trust his players place in him year after year.
This Season: A Battle for Position
The Saints are currently 19-19 overall and 10-11 in conference play. It has been a season of ups and downs with strong performances balanced by growing pains. Yet, the team remains firmly in the postseason hunt.
With several key games still on the schedule, the Saints are looking to build some more momentum. Santa Fe will face Florida Southwestern in a three-game series beginning Thursday, April 3. This game is a matchup with playoff implications in the Mid-Florida Conference standings.
Next Steps
While the 600-win mark is worth celebrating, Wiggs isn’t slowing down. He and his team are focused on the games ahead, knowing there’s still plenty of baseball left to play — and plenty of opportunities to climb the standings.
As Santa Fe pushes toward the postseason, one thing remains certain. With Johnny Wiggs leading the charge, the Saints will show up ready for competition.
