​Rio Grande High School is currently in the unusual position of hunting for a new head baseball coach for the first time since the mid-1990s. Orlando Griego, who built a storied tenure with the Ravens, guided the program to 484 wins over three decades before stepping down after a remarkable run in the South Valley. Griego, now 58, posted a 484-272 record during his 30 seasons at Rio Grande, a program he once starred for as a standout athlete. He likely would have hit the 500-win milestone in the 2027 season if he had continued coaching.
Under Griego, the Ravens were consistently among the most competitive teams in New Mexico’s largest classification, routinely finishing as strong contenders and maintaining a steady track record of success throughout his tenure. He leaves Rio Grande after a 17-10 campaign this past season. Griego did not respond to multiple requests for comment on Tuesday.
Griego’s Rio Grande journey began in 1996, and his influence extended beyond the diamond, as numerous Rio Grande graduates went on to play college baseball during and after his time as head coach. A Rio Grande High School alumnus who graduated in 1985, Griego was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1990 after completing his college career at New Mexico State University.
“I don’t know where I’d be if I wasn’t here, because there’s no other place in the world I’d rather be than here,” Griego said after earning his 400th career victory during the 2022 season. As Rio Grande begins the search for his successor, the district has opened online applications to attract qualified candidates and ensure a smooth transition for the program.
James Yodice, who covers prep sports for the Journal, can be reached at jyodice@abqjournal.com or on X (Twitter) at @JamesDYodice for those seeking more information or to follow ongoing coverage of the coaching change. This hiring process aims to identify a coach who can uphold Rio Grande’s tradition of competitive excellence and continue developing players who aspire to compete at the collegiate level and beyond.