Donnie Donaldson enters his seventh year as Head Coach of the Pirates. Prior to taking the helm of the Pirates softball program in 2020. After enduring the first two seasons behind COVID restrictions, the Pirates have seen a steady increase in competitive players and record. The Pirates created history in 2025 where they won a share of the Big 8 conference, won the regional series playoff in first round against San Joaquin Delte College as a host, won the super regional series by sweeping Monterey Penninsula College and advancign to the State tournament as representative of Northern California top 4 teams. The Pirates were 2-38 in 2018, suspended season in 2019 due to lack of players and 28-13-1 in 2025 with a Championship and State Berth.

Donnie was a long time high school and travel ball coach. He served 5 years at Waterford High School, leading the Wildcats to playoffs every season. Prior to leading the Wildcats, Donnie spent 8 years leading the Ceres Bulldog softball program. He won coach of the year in two leagues during his tenure. Once in the VOL in 2009 and again in the WAC in 2013. Ceres won league titles twice during his tenure at Ceres and qualified for playoffs in seven of his eight seasons with the Bulldogs.  

Donnie started a local travel ball organization in 2005 when he noticed several local talented softball players couldn't afford the fees required of big name travel ball organizations. Using fundraising, donations, and many hours of parent volunteering and small fundraising Tri County Smash was born and has competed all over the United States, claiming as high as 4th place nationally. Players are currently competing all over the nation that once wore a Smash jersey.

Donnie graduated from California State University Stanislaus in 1993 with a BA in Biological Science. Prior to CSU Stanislaus, Donnie played football at Washburn University in Topeka, KS as a quarterback in 1991. A former Merced Bluedevil in 1989 and 1990, Donnie helped lead a team to a national rank of 7 during his time there.

In 2021, Donnie Completed his Masters Degree in Athletic Administration with concentration in coaching from Condordia Univeristy-Irvine

Donnie currently lives in Ceres, California with wife Rebecca Donaldson and Daughter Alyssa(25), a former SAL Offensive Player of the Year and MJC student/player, while other daughter, Kaytlin (27) serves as pitching coach after finishing her career at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She was VOL Pitcher of the year while attending Ceres as well as SAL Player of the year after transferring to Waterford HS.  Daughter Kaycee (31), has two children and was a former VOL pitcher of the year. Son Brian (34) has two sons and played baseball at Central Valley High School in Ceres.

Donnie attained his BA in Biological Sciences from California State University, Stanislaus and Master's in Coaching and Athletic Adminstration from Concordia University - Irvine

Donnie is a biology teacher as well as an Anatomy and Physiology teacher at Johansen High School. In his 29 years of teaching, Donnie has coached football, baseball, basketball and softball helping lead several of the teams to the playoffs.

Donnie, "Making the state tournament last season has just created a fire to get back as soon as possible.  I am truly honored to coach the group of players I have been able to be on the field with the last six years."