Starting his eighth season (no season was held in 2021 due to Covid-19) on the Cerritos College staff is Brendan Ashley. In 2017, a position on the coaching staff opened and Ashley became an assistant coach. Since his addition to the staff, his responsibilities included recruitment of student-athletes, managing the conditioning and strengthening program, field and equipment maintenance, outfield, baserunning, and bunting.

Although this is his first coaching assignment, Ashley is no stranger to the Falcon softball program. In addition to volunteering as their public address announcer prior to joining the coaching staff, his daughter, Hillary Perez-Ashley, was the most decorated pitcher in school history. During the 2009 and 2010 seasons, Hillary was a two-time National Pitcher of the Year, All-American, All-State, All-Southern California and South Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year. She posted a 64-9 career record, with her wins being the most in school history.

Hillary went on to West Virginia Wesleyan University to pitch for two more seasons. In 2011 and 2012, Hillary led her team to two conference titles while earning Mountain East Conference Pitcher of the Year both seasons. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and is a labor and delivery nurse, while she and later became an emergency department nurse in a major hospital on the island of Guam.

Ashley, 65, attended Cal State Dominguez Hills after graduation from Long Beach City College and is a product of Long Beach Poly High. He was a longtime employee of the Bridgestone Tires of America and retired in 2018. He and his wife Ruth have been married for 40 years and have another daughter, Allison (38).

“Being a coach for the Cerritos College softball program is a wonderful retirement gig. One aspect of the job that surprised me was the recruitment of incoming student-athletes. What a great job when you can stand in front of a softball player and their parents to discuss their education/softball path to a four year school. The student is excited, the parent is excited and I can’t help but be excited for them.”