COSTA MESA, Calif. — After 27 years at Orange Coast College, John Altobelli’s coaching tree extends far beyond the foul lines.

“That’s Alto jumping on the dog pile,” said former OCC Assistant Josh Belovsky.

Belovsky and Geoff Bennett are perfect examples, looking through photo albums of their good times with their friend “Alto,” as his friends and players knew him.

RELATED STORIES:

Belovsky was recently at a Rams game with Altobelli. Knowing his relationship with Kobe, who had visited OCC and whose daughter Gianna played travel basketball with Altobelli’s daughter, Belovsky feared the worst when he heard about the helicopter crash on Sunday.

“First reaction, like, ‘Oh my goodness Kobe,’ and in the back of my mind I know Alto’s . . . they’ve gone on the helicopter before,” said Belovsky.

Today Belovsky is a scout for the Brewers but his friendship with Alto began unexpectedly. Altobelli kicked him off the OCC team but years later would come to offer him a job as a coach, setting up his entire career.

“He would give you anything you wanted or needed, and he pushed me to finish and keep going down that path to become a coach. And not only a mentor but a friend,” said Belovsky.

He and Bennett, who works for the Los Angeles Angels, were friends before. All three would end up sharing a friendship; golf, family trips, and good times, including the night Altobelli met his wife Keri, who along with their daughter Alyssa, also died in the tragic crash.

“He did it right and he was successful and pretty much built his program to what it is now. And he was a good dad to his kids; J.J., Lexi, and Alyssa. And a good husband. And just an all-around good guy,” said Bennett.

On the field, Altobelli’s memory is fresh in the minds of his current coaches and players who on Monday placed a sign with Altobelli’s number 14 near the left field foul pole.

Freshman Kelly Austin says “Alto” will never be forgotten.

“He was the backbone of the team you know? He kept everything even. He handled everybody. He was always looking out for his guys,” said Austin.

Nate Johnson, who will take over as the Pirates open their season on Tuesday, says the man he’s stepping in for is really irreplaceable.

“I don’t want to be the head coach today. I want Alto to be the head coach. He should still be the head coach,” said Johnson.

For the friends who knew him as a coach and a person, the memories will keep flooding in.

“He worked hard and played hard. I mean, I think that’s what we all aspire to do at the end of the day. Because as we all see now, life’s short and it’s not promised to you,” said Belovsky.

Alto’s influence branching out to every life he touched.