All of our coaches have had college and/or professional experience. 
The entire Young Guns staff is passionate and intense as well as being a positive influence on every player that comes through our doors.  It is our goal to bring out the best in every player in our program and bring out the best sportsman inside that player.

Pat Fisher- (“Fish”) - A successful and respected AAU coach throughout the East Coast. Pat is the founder of The South Jersey Young Guns program & head coach at Paul VI High School. He has been coaching and teaching baseball for over 15 years. His passion for baseball is only superseded by his joy in teaching kids the mechanics, strategies, and teamwork of the game knowing that these skills can be applied to life lessons, as well.

Dave Smolenski- (“Smo”) – A 1989 graduate of Gloucester Catholic High School. Dave has been with the New Jersey State Police since 1998. He is the founder of The South Jersey Thunder Baseball Organization. He is in his third year of coaching at Bishop Eustace High School. He recently became partners with Pat Fisher, combining both baseball organizations. He is married to his wife, Rachelle and has two children, daughter Devan and son Derek.

Ryan Kulik – Born in Marlton, N.J. and attended Cherokee High School. Ryan graduated from Rowan University with a 10-2 record and a 1.72ERA. He finished first in Division III in strikeouts, (144) and strikeouts per nine innings, (13.74). He pitched in the Cape Cod league, posting a record of 1-3 with a 6.26 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 27 innings. He later was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2008’s First Year Player Draft. Ryan signed a minor league contract and initially assigned to Batavia. Ryan has received the NJAC 2008 Male Athlete of the Year Award and the NJCBA Division II/III Pitcher of the Year.

Jonathan “JD” Dijamco- Former All – CAL Infielder from St. Augustine Prep (Class of 2005) where he was starting second basemen for the Hermits for 3 years. Attended St. Josephs University (Class of 2009) where JD played for 2 years before serving as a volunteer Asst. Coach. JD’s main role as an asst. coach was to work with the defense and base runners for the Hawks. He also served as the first base coach for 2 years. JD has been instructing and coaching youth baseball for the past 4 years, most recently with the South Jersey Thunder.

Jeff Paglione- Born in Pennsauken N.J., a graduate of Pennsauken H.S. in 1988, he began coaching as an assistant on the Jr. legion team in Pennsauken when he was 18.Since then Jeff has coached numerous age groups before coming to coach with the S.J. Thunder 3 years ago as the 13u coach. Now Jeff has taken on the head coaching position for both our 9u Carolina team and our 13u Young Guns team.

Bob Quaile - Bob Quaile, coach of the 10u Young Guns played high school baseball at PaulVI where he was an all conference pitcher and first baseman.  He played legion baseball for Haddon Heights and went on to be a pitcher at Widener University.  After college, Bob continued playing with the Upper Darby Blue Sox in the Delaware County Semi Pro League.  Last spring, Bob began coaching as a volunteer pitching coach at Paul VI High School and in the fall started with the Young Guns coaching both the 10u Navy and 11u Navy teams.  

Craig Markley
Head Varsity Baseball coach at Oakcrest High School (2006-present)

• Asst. Coach Tri-Cape Carpenter Cup Team (2008-2009)

• South Jersey Baseball Coaches Association Representative Cape Atlantic American Conference

• Director America's Baseball Camps - Pittsburgh/Burlington, Vermont (2008-2009)

• Instructor America's Baseball Camps Pittsburgh (2007)

• Director/Instructor Swing Kids Baseball Camps (2001-2007) 

• Head Varsity Baseball coach at Lower Cape May Regional (2001-2003),  Atlantic City Press Coach of the Year 2001, assistant varsity baseball coach (1998-2000)

• Player, Rowan University (1989-1992)  

Jim Kreston  ·       Triton High School 1st Team Olympic Conference Pitcher ·       1st Team all Group 3 Pitcher ·       1st Team all Tri-county Pitcher. ·       Gloucester County College all Region 19 Pitcher ·       Pitched and coached in Tri County league for 16 years.  Jim has managed in the Young Guns organization with the Carolina team for the last 5 years. He currently coaches the 13U Carolina. Jim resides in Berlin his wife Lisa and  2 children, Taylor and Corey     David Housel  High School Career: Graduated from Mendham High School  2X All State, Senior Year State Co Leader in Home Runs (15) Baseball Factory 2X All American  Drafted by New York Mets (2000) Pro Career: 10 Year Professional Career Played in the New York Mets  organization for 4 seasons (2001-2004) Played for Atlantic City Surf (2005-2006) Played for Road Warriors (2007) Played for Somerset Patriots (2008) Played for Lancaster Barnstormers,  Camden Riversharks, and Long Island Ducks (2009) Played for Somerset Patriots (2010) 6 Playoff Appearances  2 League Championships 1 All Star Appearance (Starting Third Baseman) Has played every position except Catcher One of two players in Lancaster Barnstormers  history to hit Home Runs from both sides of the  plate in single game