SOQUEL >> Longtime and successful youth softball coach Frank DeBernardo, 59, is returning to helm of Soquel’s High’s program.

DeBernardo previously guided Aptos to four Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League titles when he served as head coach from 2002-10 and was part of four league championship teams at Soquel, including one as head coach, from 2011-13 and ’19-22.

The youth-laden Knights (5-11 overall, 4-11 SCCAL), who graduated just three seniors from their 15-player roster, finished fifth in league in ’25 and failed to make the Central Coast Section playoffs for a third straight season.

DeBernardo becomes the school’s third head coach in the past four years. The team posted nine combined wins over the past three years, according to mbaypreps.com.

“The kids here right now are quality kids,” DeBernardo said. “We’re like-minded. They’re motivated to come back, so I’m going to pour my heart and soul into supporting them.”

DeBernardo has a history of getting the most out of his players. In addition to being a part of eight SCCAL championship teams, he has coached eight SCCAL Player of the Year award winners and three Pitcher of the Year winners.

He last coached at Soquel in ’22, when the Knights (14-5-1, 10-2) shared the SCCAL title with San Lorenzo Valley and advanced to the CCS Division III semifinals behind a veteran team that featured seven seniors.

“We’re excited to have Frank return as our head coach,” Knights athletics director Stu Walters said. “He has a lot of experience and has had a lot of success in our league.”

Admittedly, DeBernardo is a demanding coach. It’s part of the reason past players and teams have found success, but, he clarified, “I’m demanding, but never demeaning. I like to build people up while they’re being challenged. Obviously, we’re in a rebuilding mode.”

After shining as Aptos’ head coach, DeBernardo served as an assistant at Soquel for three seasons (’11-13) and took over as the Knights’ head coach in 2019. After enduring the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the season being canceled after four games, DeBernardo saw his freshman class through to graduation before deciding to step down.

“I needed to take a break,” he said. “I was looking for something exciting to bring me back.”

With the Niizawa cousins, Emma and Katie, returning for an enthusiastic bunch of Knights, DeBernardo said he’s amped up.

“We’re like-minded,” he said of his players. “They love the game of softball, as I do. That got me excited to come back and coach. … We have some a lot returners and some good, young pitchers coming in. I’m super stoked on this.”

Scotts Valley won the past two SCCAL titles, but graduated six seniors this speing, including standout pitcher Sofie Seese, a transfer from Soquel, and standout hitters Taylor Wilson, Jazmyn Doubek, and Nick Powell. Aptos, the SCCAL runner-up, is the title favorite heading into the next season after posting a stellar postseason with a young squad.

DeBernardo isn’t looking too far ahead. He’s of the mindset: “Take care of ourselves and success will follow.”

“I’m focused on the kids we have,” he said. “I’m confident in our group. We’re trying to build that culture. Right now is where you’re challenging them but building their confidence.”