Clontz New Kelowna Skipper.

Knights' Head Assistant to Manage Falcons in 2014

The Kelowna Falcons of the West Coast League have hired Billy Clontz as their new head coach, general mananger Mark Nonis announced today. A Corvallis native, Clontz formerly played (2006, 2008-09) and was an assistant coach (2010-11, 2013) for the Corvallis Knights.

He succeeds Geoff White, who led the Falcons to a 19-35 record in 2013 in his first season as their head coach. He has not yet named his coaching staff.

"I am really excited for the opportunity Dan and Mark Nonis have given me," Clontz said. "I am looking forward to putting a competitive team on the field next summer.

"I appreciate the time I spent playing and working in the Knights' organization, and feel like I learned from the best."

Clontz, 27, returned to the Knights in 2013 after spending the 2012 season as an assistant coach with Klamath Falls, and helped direct them to their third WCL championship. Clontz was involved in all three titles, as a player (2008) and assistant coach (2011, 2013).

"We are all very excited for Bill's next endeavor," Knights' coach Brooke Knight said. "He has a tireless work ethic and a sound knowledge of the game. He will grind the Falcons towards a playoff appearance, I have no doubt.

"He will be greatly missed, and although bittersweet from a personal perspective, I can't wait to see him grow their on-field approach and passion to win. It's a great hire by Mark Nonis and his family."

Billy starred at Corvallis High School and for the Richey's Market American Legion program before playing at Mt. Hood CC and Western Oregon. He was a starter at several infield and outfield positions for the Knights in 2006, 2008 and 2009. And earned all-WCL honors for Knights' teams that defeated Wenatchee in the 2008 WCL Championship Series, and that lost to the AppleSox in the 2009 finals.

Following his college career, Clontz joined a Knights' coaching staff that directed the club to the 2010 West Division regular-season title, and to the 2011 WCL championship. He also played and coached for the Morley Eagles in Australia in 2011-12.

Clontz recently accepted an assistant coaching position at Ohlone College in Fremont, California.

With Clontz's hiring, three former Knights are WCL head coaches. Knight played for the team in 1994; Josh Hogan (2007-09) was the head coach at Klamath Falls in 2012 before moving to Medford last season. He'll continue as the manager of the Rogues in 2014.