Coach CJ pitching under the lights
FORGED
EST · 2026 · FOUNDER · HEAD OF PITCHING
Meet The Founder

Coach CJ.
Forged
By Work.

Founder · Head of Pitching · Steelhead Performance

Coach CJ didn't read about the grind in a book. He lived it — as a JUCO walk-on who became a pro, and as a coach who built one of the most dominant pitching staffs in the country. That journey is the foundation of how he coaches today. He knows where pitchers plateau, where they break through, and what it takes to keep climbing. And he brings that experience to every athlete he works with.

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Coach CJ coaching an athlete in the cage In · The · Work
Coaching Philosophy

Honest Feedback.
Hard Work.
Earned Outcomes.

I coach the way I wish I'd been coached — firm enough to demand your best, approachable enough that you actually want to bring it.

I believe in honest feedback, hard work, and earning what comes next. Comfort is the enemy of growth, and the moment a pitcher gets satisfied is the moment someone hungrier passes him by.

I'll celebrate your wins with you. Then I'll show you what's next. Because being good isn't the goal — getting better, every single day, is.

CJ pitching for the Warriors during his playing career Walk-On · To · Pro
Chapter 01
The Backstory

Playing Experience.

CJ started his college career as a walk-on at JUCO powerhouse SUNY Niagara, throwing in the low 80s and competing for a roster spot on a team stacked with future draft picks and Division 1 and 2 commits. He made the playoff roster as a freshman and contributed to a World Series run that finished as National Runners-Up.

By his sophomore year, he had worked his way into the starting rotation and increased his velocity from the low 80s to 90 mph in roughly a year and a half. That jump opened doors.

He accepted a scholarship to Division 2 powerhouse East Stroudsburg University, where he became a high-leverage bullpen arm for the Warriors. His senior year, he was contacted by the Billings Mustangs of the MLB-partnered Pioneer League and signed his first professional contract.

CJ coaching a pitcher during a training session Building · The · Staff
Chapter 02
The Standard

Coaching Career.

After his playing days, CJ returned to SUNY Niagara as the pitching and strength & conditioning coach, where he spent three seasons building one of the most dominant pitching staffs in the country.

The system was unforgiving and the results were undeniable — back-to-back regional championships, two World Series appearances, and a pitching staff that led the nation in ERA, WHIP, and K/9 across multiple seasons. Two of his pitchers were selected in the 2023 MLB Draft.

Steelhead Performance is the continuation of that system, built for athletes serious about the next level — and stripped of everything that doesn't earn the result.

"
My job isn't to be your buddy or a drill sergeant. It's to see what you're capable of before you do, then hold you accountable to it.
Coach CJ Founder · Head Of Pitching
What His Athletes Say

The Coach Behind The Reps.

Pitchers who have spent real time inside CJ's system — what changed, and why it stuck.

Coach CJ took my 2028 graduate and moved him from low-to-mid 70's on the mound to low 80's in about 6 months. Even better, he's helped him with pitch development, attack strategy and arm care. The full package.

Keith B

Coach CJ helped our son go from high 70s his junior year fall to touching 90 his senior year spring, winning ECIC 2 Pitcher of the Year, and committing to play D2 baseball. CJ genuinely cares about developing his players, maintaining their arm health, and guiding them through their college recruiting journey.

Stacy C

My son has made tremendous progress as a pitcher under CJ's guidance. His patience, ability to connect with young athletes, and focus on building strong foundational mechanics have not only improved my son's skills but also his confidence and love for the game. I highly recommend him to any player looking to develop the right way from the ground up.

Alan G.

When I first got injured it felt like rock bottom, but with the support from CJ and all the lessons — pitching and life — it helped me grow as a person and a pitcher and got me where I am now, and I strive to be even better.

Marty P.

Working with Coach helped me increase my velocity while also improving my arm health. He cares about his athletes and has made a huge impact on my development as a pitcher.

Austin M.

Working with CJ completely transformed me into an all-around better pitcher. He didn't just help me improve my velocity and arm health — he elevated my entire game to new levels I never thought possible. CJ is not only an incredible coach but also a genuinely great guy who truly cares about your growth. More than anything, he taught me what it means to fight, both physically and mentally. When you get the opportunity to train with him, listen closely and soak in every bit of knowledge — he'll change the way you approach the game forever.

Gavin H.

At the age of 13, I decided to take baseball seriously. That's when I met Coach CJ, and since then he's helped transform me both on and off the field. I've reached my ideal playing weight, added a ton of muscle, and developed into a much better athlete. This year, I'll be attending Niagara University as a freshman, and I truly believe Coach CJ has put me in a great position to succeed from day one. I'm incredibly grateful for everything he's done to help me get to this point.

Dominic P.
Train With Coach CJ

Get
Evaluated.
Get Forged.

Every Steelhead athlete starts with an evaluation. CJ maps your baseline, designs your plan, and builds the path. No fluff. No filler. Just the work.

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