BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — As Bakersfield College football coach Jeff Chudy steps away from the program, another Renegade head coach is getting his team prepared for opening day.

Tim Painton is beginning his 25th season at the college up on the hill. He led his team to a 26-14 record in 2019 with a Western State Conference South Championship. The 2020 roster is young but loaded with local Bakersfield products, something that's intentional.

"I think Bakersfield College should be for Bakersfield kids and that's what we've done," he said. "Good or bad and there are good years and bad years, but certainly we've built this program based on Bakersfield High school student-athletes."

Painton's team is lead by 2019 WSC South Pitcher of the Year Alejandro Murillo. The former Stockdale High School pitcher enjoys the camaraderie of playing with kids he grew up.

"We all played at different schools, everyone's families get to come so it's a great environment out here," he said. "It's just so exciting to see all the families reunite. Especially since we played club ball together. We'd all talk to each other like, 'oh I got a hit off of you,' so it's special, it always gets brought up at practice so, yeah, it's special."

The 'Gades will begin their season on Jan. 24 with a home game against Feather River.