LONGWOOD, FL - Sanford River Rats Head Coach Josh Montero has been named the 2020 Coach of the Year. This was Montero’s second year as the head coach of the River Rats, and fifth overall with the team. Montero coached the River Rats to their fifth Florida League Championship, tied with the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs for the most in league history.

The Rats started off the season 4-0, including a 16-3 win on Opening Day. After a rough patch in the middle of the season where the team went 1-4 over five games, Montero righted the ship and the team put together an eight game winning streak before losing an exciting season finale to the Leesburg Lightning.

After finishing the regular season at 15-6 and second place overall with the Rats, the team earned a bye in the first round of the Playoffs. He proceeded to lead the team to a 3-0 record in the Playoffs by beating the Winter Garden Squeeze 3-2 in the second round, and sweeping the first place Leesburg Lightning 2-0 in the Championship Series.

"I want to congratulate Josh on winning the 2020 Florida League Championship and his recognition as Coach of the Year in just his second year as a head coach" said Florida League President Stefano Foggi. "There were a lot of challenges to overcome this season. His passion, dedication and drive to provide FCSL players an opportunity to compete and develop at a high level was terrific."  

In a season that was different in many ways, coaches were allowed to recruit a second team if they chose. Montero embraced the opportunity to get more players involved this summer by recruiting and coaching the Sanford Mavericks as well.