Gainesville, FL

This week's Alumni Spotlight is Johnny Wiggs, who coached Baseball from 2006-2026!

On July 22nd, 2026, several members of the Santa Fe community, which included past and present coaches, players, alumni, staff, and faculty, gathered with Johnny Wiggs and family to celebrate the retirement of the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Association Hall-of-Famer and 20-year leader of Saints baseball. Many joined Wiggs in the lobby of the Santa Fe Gymnasium to share their congratulations, fondest stories, and emotional memories with Santa Fe's historic coach and former student-athlete.

Attending the celebration were many Santa Fe Alum, former coaches and administrators and family and friends. Among those included his predecessor, Harry Tholen, and former athletic director, Jim Keites. Wiggs' became the head skipper in 2006 taking over for the retired NJCAA Baseball Coaches Association Hall-of-Famer, Harry Tholen. Tholen shared a memory of Wiggs' invitation to return as a volunteer assistant coach for that year, everyone shared a chuckle knowing that one year turned into sixteen. Keites also drew laughter as he told a story of an April Fools prank played on the coach with the help of players.

The stories continued with his three daughters recalling their experience with Wiggs in singing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame". Each of Wiggs' three daughters - Brittany, Ashley, and Jenna - joined the celebration alongside their families to share memories made with their father as he coached on the ballfield. Wiggs' daughters followed in the footsteps of both he and his wife, Wendy, who all earned degrees with Santa Fe College. Overcome with emotion, Wiggs reflected on the sacrifices and support his family provided throughout the years. 

Wiggs' historic baseball career began as a pitcher for Valencia Community College. In his sophomore year, he transferred to Santa Fe, where he posted a 9-4 record in his lone year playing for the college. Following his time at Santa Fe, Wiggs went on to play for the University of Florida, where he earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in exercise and sport science. At UF, he earned a 23-6 record, helping the Gators to the 1988 SEC Championship, East Regional Championship, and the College World Series. Following his collegiate career, he played five seasons between the Mariners, Tigers, and Red Sox, as well as 166 games at the AAA level, where he posted a career ERA of 3.41.

After his playing career, Wiggs' head coaching career started in his hometown of Polk County, FL with Polk Community College (now Polk State College). At Polk, Wiggs spent eight seasons as the head coach of the Eagles, winning 199 games during his tenure. Following his time at Polk, Wiggs was named the head coach of Santa Fe baseball in 2006, succeeding Harry Tholen, who coached the Saints for 22 seasons prior. 

In the 2009 season, Coach Wiggs began writing his name in Santa Fe's history books by leading the Saints to the JUCO World Series, where his team finished as runners-up. Across his career, he led the Saints to win 627 games, nine conference championships, two FCSAA State Championships, and twelve FCSAA State/Region 8 appearances. Among his other numerous accomplishments, Wiggs was named to the Hall of Fame for the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Association. He most recently was inducted into the Mulberry High School Hall of Fame, where he competed as a multi-sport athlete of baseball, football, and basketball.

Wiggs' 20-year tenure at Santa Fe left a legacy of preparing players for the next level and beyond. During his time at Santa Fe, Wiggs' leadership helped send 185 players to four-year colleges and seven into Major League Baseball, including current pitchers Ryan Yarbrough (New York Yankees) and Brad Lord (Washington Nationals). 

Following the conclusion of the 2025-26 baseball season, Wiggs announced his retirement after 20 seasons as the head coach of the Saints. With a treasured career earning several wins, championships, and awards with Santa Fe both as a player and as a coach, Coach Wiggs retires as a legend, elevating Saints baseball and helping many young men achieve their dreams. Wiggs is looking forward to spending more time with his growing family, including the recent birth of his fourth grandchild.