Curiel Takes the Helm of Wildcats Baseball
Gregory-Portland Independent School District announced this week that Joe Curiel will assume the role of head baseball coach for the Wildcats, bringing a wealth of experience and a proven track record of excellence to the program.
Curiel arrives after a distinguished 20‑year tenure at Moody High School, where he amassed more than 250 career victories and guided the Trojans to five state semifinal appearances and three championship game appearances, earning him two Caller‑Times All‑South Texas Coach of the Year honors.
He replaces Ronnie Jonse, who steered the program since the 2020 season and led the Wildcats to a 20‑13‑1 record in the 2023 campaign, a season that ended with a bi‑district playoff loss to Rio Grande City.
Athletic director Melissa Hernandez praised Curiel’s leadership, noting that his deep roots in South Texas baseball and his emphasis on disciplined, fundamentals‑driven play align perfectly with the district’s long‑term goals for the program.
Fans and players alike are eager to see how Curiel’s offensive schemes and defensive strategies will shape the Wildcats’ outlook as they aim to improve on last season’s district standing and push for a deeper playoff run in the upcoming schedule.