Corrigan Willis enters his 13th season serving as the Matadors' head baseball coach in 2021. The 2020 season was cut short due to COVID-19. Unfortunately, this left the largest senior class (16 players) in the school's history without a league season and only 6 pre-season games.
The Matadors have seen consistent success under Willis since he took over the helm in 2009. In 2018, Granada made the NCS D1 playoffs for the ninth consecutive season, which at the time was the longest streak in the section. This significant run was a significant factor for him being named The 2018 NCS Honor Coach for baseball.
The most successful season for the Matadors was in 2013, earning their first EBAL title in 21 years. The squad went 24-2 that season that boasted a 20-game win streak. The Mats were ranked high as #2 nationally for Maxpreps late in the year. GHS Baseball 2013 link
Willis has deep ties to Granada, as a teacher, coach and former student. Willis graduated from Granada in 1996 and earned first team all-EBAL honors that year (utility) as he went 8-2 on the mound that season and hit .418. That summer, he led the Tri-Valley Tigers to the Senior Babe Ruth title game in North Carolina, earning Southwest Regional MVP and All-World Series honors along the way.
After high school, he took his game to Ohlone College, where he was selected first team All-Coast Conference his Sophomore year on the mound. He accepted an athletic scholarship to Metropolitan State College in Denver. He was a starting pitcher for the Roadrunners in the mile high air and earned All-RMAC Academic team in 2000.
He graduated from Metro State in 2001 with a degree in Journalism. After a "Cup-of-Coffee" internship at the Rocky Mountain News, he decided to return home and pursue his true passion of teaching and coaching at his alma mater. Granada hired Willis in 2004 as a PE teacher. He currently teaches FIT (Freshmen in Transition) as well.
Corrigan credits his late father, Jim Willis, for being his inspiration as an educator.
Willis resides in Livermore with his wife Deanna, and two sons, Bryce (12) and Ryan (9).
