ATHERTON, Calif. — Mike Givens, who led Sandpoint High to their only baseball state championship in 2006, was recently announced as the new Interim head baseball coach of Menlo College (NCAA Division II), located in San Mateo County, Calif.

Before his hiring at Sandpoint High in 1996, Givens was the head baseball coach for four years at Half Moon Bay High, located in the same area as Menlo College, and was a head coach for four years at Skyline College in San Bruno, Calif. where he led the Trojans to multiple 3C2A State Championship tournament appearances. While at Sandpoint High, in addition to a state title, he was twice named the Inland Empire League Coach of the Year and propelled the Bulldogs to multiple district championships. He was eventually inducted into Sandpoint High's Hall of Fame for his efforts. Givens was also the head coach of the Post 15 American Legion baseball team for a number of years.

Outside of the coaching world, Givens was a teacher, mainly at Sandpoint High, but also at Priest River Junior High, and was a driving instructor for over 30 years in the state of Idaho — primarily at the Panhandle Driving School.

For the Oaks of Menlo College, Givens has not been just a one-trick pony. He's coached both the softball team and a nationally recognized golf team. As the head coach for the last eight years of both the men's and women's golf programs, he's compiled quite the resume. For the men's program, Givens has produced the top-ranked golfer in the nation and a top-four nationwide team ranking, the highest in school history, and has won 26 team tournaments over the years. He has led the women to 13 team tournament championships, to multiple years of being ranked amongst the top 15 in the nation, and has coached a handful Golden State Athletic Conference Player of the Year's and a trio of NAIA First Team All-Americans.

"I've loved every moment of working at Menlo, from my time with the softball program to building a nationally recognized golf program," Givens said in an article by the Menlo College Sports Information Department. "I'm incredibly proud of Menlo student-athletes, the culture, and the success we've created together. When the opportunity came to return to baseball, the sport that has been in my heart for as long as I can remember, I didn't hesitate. I never thought I'd coach baseball again, and now I feel like I'm coming home."

Menlo College Vice President for Athletics Keith Spataro, who worked with Givens over 30 years ago at Skyline College when Givens was the baseball coach and Spataro the wrestling coach, said in an article by the Menlo College Sports Information Department that Givens is one of the best coaches he's ever been around.

"Mike is one of the best coaches I've ever been around, and I've seen a lot of coaches," Spataro said. "His baseball IQ is off the charts, but his ability to lead young people and build programs with integrity and energy sets him apart. When he expressed interest in returning to baseball, I was thrilled. He's an incredible coach, an unbelievable leader, and the perfect fit to take Menlo Baseball to the next level."