Jaime Long focuses on hard work and dedication in her second year as softball head coach at GateWay.   

“Academics are most important, followed by softball and family.  I want my girls to grow as softball players and as individuals; to work hard and learn a level of commitment.” 

Long’s goal is to establish a quality program in which her student-athletes can improve their softball skills, as well as excel in their educational endeavors.

 She was previously an assistant softball coach at Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, FL from 2000-02.  She helped lead the Wildcats to the regional playoffs at Florida State University in 2001, and to the regional play-ins at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County in 2002.         

BCC is also Long’s alma matter, where she was a Wildcat pitcher from 1999-2000.  As a team captain in her senior year, she helped take her team to its first conference championship in 2000 and to the regional playoffs at UCLA.  Long’s coach, recognizing her leadership ability and broad softball knowledge, asked Long to be an assistant coach for the team after her playing career. 

She pitched for Scottsdale Community College and South Mountain Community College before transferring to BCC.  She also earned distinction while pitching at Westwood High School in Mesa, as MVP in 1995 and 1996 and First Team All East Valley in her senior year in 1996. 

Long graduated in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from BCC.  She currently also serves as GateWay’s assistant athletic director, and will possibly pursue a medical career in the future. 

Long, a native of Mesa, currently resides in her hometown with her son Jayden.  Her parents are James and Nantana Long.  She enjoys reading and traveling in her spare time.