United Longhorns Honor Late Coach J.J. Gomez

Longhorns dedicate season to former coach who passed away in 2025

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The United Longhorns baseball team will honor their late former coach J.J. Gomez this season by displaying his jersey in the dugout. Gomez, who passed away in December 2025 at the age of 61, coached the Longhorns for 10 seasons, compiling a 251-88-5 record with five district championships and 10 straight playoff appearances. In 2008, he led the team to the state semifinals, the program's first state appearance.

Why it matters

Gomez was a beloved figure in the Laredo baseball community, having coached at United for 29 years total as both a head coach and assistant. Honoring him by displaying his jersey in the dugout this season is a way for the team to pay tribute to his legacy and the impact he had on the program.

The details

The Longhorns will display Gomez's jersey, the same one he wore when the team won the regional championship and reached the state semifinals in 2008, in their dugout for the entire season. United slugger Hector Cadena hit the first home run at the new Buena Vista Sports Complex, which has a field named after Gomez.

  • Gomez passed away on December 23, 2025 at the age of 61.
  • Gomez's jersey was displayed in United's dugout during the Border Olympics tournament this past weekend.
  • Gomez's jersey will be displayed in United's dugout for the remainder of the 2026 season.

The players

J.J. Gomez

A former head coach of the United Longhorns baseball team who compiled a 251-88-5 record over 10 seasons, including five district championships and 10 straight playoff appearances. He led the team to the state semifinals in 2008, the program's first state appearance.

Rudy Saldivar

The current head coach of the United Longhorns baseball team.

Hector Cadena

A United Longhorns slugger who hit the first home run at the new Buena Vista Sports Complex, which has a field named after J.J. Gomez.

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What they’re saying

“We're dedicating our season to a man that taught us more than the game. We will honor him by putting our best effort from the first pitch to the last.”

— Rudy Saldivar, United Longhorns Head Coach (lmtonline.com)

What’s next

The Longhorns will continue to honor Gomez's legacy throughout the 2026 season by displaying his jersey in the dugout.

The takeaway

The United Longhorns' decision to honor their late former coach J.J. Gomez by displaying his jersey in the dugout this season is a touching tribute that showcases the lasting impact he had on the program and the Laredo baseball community.