Milestone win puts Berkeley’s Warren in elite club
Now in his 19th season (11th at Berkeley Prep) Buccaneers head coach Richie Warren won his 400th game with Friday’s 2-1 victory against Wesley Chapel.
By Jarrett Guthrie, Editor
TAMPA – When Berkeley Prep junior second baseman Ben O’Brien slapped a tag on the back of a Wesley Chapel runner caught in a rundown to end Friday night’s competitive 2-1 victory, Buccaneers veteran head coach Richie Warren was immediately wrapped in a hug from assistant coach Stephen Hunt.
A hug 19 seasons in the making.
Hunt, a 2007 Jesuit alum was on the field on February 13 of his senior year as Tigers defeated St. Petersburg Catholic, 10-0, recording Warren’s first win as a head coach.
Berkeley Prep assistant coach Stephen Hunt (facing camera) gives Richie Warren a postgame hug after the Buccaneers head coach won his 400th game.
And on Friday he was there by Warren’s side for a remarkable milestone.
“Reaching 400 wins is an incredible achievement, it’s awesome to be a small part of his success over the years as both a player and a coach,” Hunt said. “It’s funny, when he first started at Jesuit, he was so young that you couldn’t tell if he was a player or a coach.”
Warren is in his 11th season managing Berkeley Prep, after his eight-year tenure at Jesuit which included winning the 2014 Class 5A FHSAA state title, as well as coaching three state runner-up teams.
“I think I’ve worked at two incredible places that value leadership and growth in young men, and winning is secondary to that,” Warren said. “Obviously, this is a great accomplishment, but I’m just one person in the entire process.”
Warren credits his players, current and former staff and mentors for shaping him as the coach he is today. And Friday’s win had the added bonus of his eldest son, freshman Mason Warren starting at third base.
“That definitely was pretty a pretty cool part of it,” he said, “and in a few years, hopefully I’ll have (youngest son) Jax out there, too.”
Making Friday’s milestone win a little more special for Warren, was his eldest son Mason starting the game at third base.
He also highlighted how meaningful it was to have Hunt there for the first and latest win.
“It’s pretty special having Stephen Hunt with me on the staff here at Berkeley, who was a part of that first win at Jesuit,” Warren said. “February 13, 2007 – so to share milestones like this for me personally with people that have meant so much, and people that give me everything every day is something when I get a chance to reflect on, I’m sure it will bring tears to my eyes.”
Richie Warren celebrates with then freshman (now senior) Buccaneers player Joseph Troupe during the 2022 state title game at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. (813Preps file photo/Mike Gallagher)
Hunt reflected on his role in Warren’s coaching legacy, and made sure to emphasize his boss’ impact on the student and person, as much as the player.
“He’s built more than just a winning programs over the years,” Hunt said. “He’s helped so many of us grow as players and people. I’m proud to have played for him and now to be coaching beside him. It’s been an awesome journey.”
The three coaches who have led Jesuit Baseball to its five state champions: (left to right) Richie Warren, who also was a part of Jesuit’s 2000 state title team as a player, current Tigers coach Miguel Menendez, and Hall of Fame coach John Crumbley, who led the Tigers to three titles (813Preps file photo/Mike Camunas).
John Crumbley knows a thing or two about win milestones. The Hall of Fame (FHSAA, FACA, Sports Club of Tampa Bay) head coach at Steinbrenner High and Warren’s coach at Jesuit, retired at the conclusion of the 2024 season after amassing a Hillsborough County-best 818 wins and four state titles (Jesuit – 3; Steinbrenner – 1). On Saturday morning he was proud of his former player (a member of the Crumbley’s 2000 state title team), assistant coach and replacement at Jesuit, citing the true dedication it takes to reach a number like 400.
“What an awesome milestone for Richie,” Crumble said. “I’m so proud of his accomplishments so far in his career and looking forward to catching many of his future games! It takes dedication and consistency to reach milestone’s like this.”
Like Hunt, Buccaneers senior pitcher Rivers Kurland, who has earned the win in 22 of those 400, spoke to Warren’s leadership and dedication to his student athletes that means the most to the four-year varsity starter.
“He was the first person to believe in me when I came in here as a scrawny, undersized freshman,” Kurland said. “He believed in me before I believed in me. I can’t really put it into words what he means to me.
“I want to come out every day and compete for him, because I know out on the field or behind closed doors he’ll fight for me.”
Warren said he is uncertain how he will feel next season without penciling in the name “Kurland” to his scorecard after seven seasons combined with Rivers and older brother Cade (our 2022 All-813Preps MVP), now a starter at Warren’s alma mater the University of Florida.
“It’s pretty special that the Kurland Family has played such a huge role in the success of Berkeley Prep baseball,” Warren said. “It’s going to be weird next year writing a lineup without a Kurland in it. The last seven years, the stability of having one of those two guys in here, has meant a lot.”
But before that happens, Warren and Rivers (a two-time All-813Preps First Team selection, and one-time second teamer) will have a few more chances to build up that win total before his senior departs with a commitment to Florida State University ahead.
And Warren, well, he has no intention of stepping away anytime soon. Maybe in a few more years, with a few dozen more players contributing, he’ll join Crumbley in the 800 club.
