2005 Mountain Valley Conference Coach of the Year

2006 NJCAA District A Regional Coach of the Year

2006 Diamond ABCA Regional Coach of the Year

2007 NJCAA District A Regional Coach of the Year

2007 Mountain Valley Conference Coach of the Year

2009 NJCAA Region III Coach of the Year

2009 Mountain Valley Conference Coach of the Year

2010 Mountain Valley Conference Co-Coach of the Year

2010 Diamond ABCA Regional Coach of the Year

2010 NJCAA District A Regional Coach of the Year

Head Coach Jason Rathbun has been leading the Generals baseball team since 2005. Rathbun's coaching style of demanding accountability from his players has produced impressive results in the classroom and on the field. Coach Rathbun’s teams have produced 199 victories over the past seven seasons. His 2006 and 2008 teams achieved Academic All-American status with team GPAs over 3.00.  Herkimer’s 2006, ‘07, and ‘10 teams won the school’s first three regional baseball championships, earning trips to the D-III Junior College World Series.  Herkimer has developed a reputation as a traditionally strong offensive team, including finishing first in the country in batting average in 2006 and 2010.  Rathbun has recruited some of the area's top athletes as well as players from other states, including California, Florida, South Carolina, Texas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Ohio, and New Jersey.  Herkimer has had six All-Americans during Rathbun’s tenure.

In Rathbun's first season as head coach (2005), the baseball program reached new heights of success as the team advanced to the Region III Final Four for the first time since 1990. Herkimer broke the school win record with 21 victories, the first 20-win season in the program's history. In 2006, the Generals won their first Region III championship and went on to compete in the Division III NJCAA College World Series. The team also achieved excellence in the classroom, receiving Academic All-American honors with a team GPA of 3.02.  Herkimer was the only D-III junior college in the country to receive this honor. The 2007 team won Herkimer’s second Region III championship and went on to compete in the Division III NJCAA College World Series in Tyler, Texas. Herkimer would go on to finish third in the national tournament, the highest finish for any Region III Division III team. Herkimer broke the wins record for the third straight season achieving 35 wins.  The Generals again showed their offensive strength by pounding out 32 home runs and posting a .390 batting average.  In 2008, Herkimer again achieved Academic All-American honors with a team GPA over 3.00, and made a fourth straight trip to the Regional Final Four.  Herkimer finished the 2009 regular season as the #4-ranked team in D-III, but came up short of their third Regional Championship, falling short in the championship game. In 2010, Herkimer won their third Regional Championship and had another strong showing in the World Series, finishing third in the National Championships for the second time, finishing with a 35-14 record.  Herkimer finished first in the country in batting average and pounded out 40 home runs.  In 2011, the Generals qualified for the Regional playoffs for the seventh straight season.

Rathbun started his playing career for legendary high school coach Ted Schoff (533 career wins) at Little Falls High School. In two years of varsity baseball, pitcher Rathbun compiled a record of 8-1 with an earned run average of 2.81. After high school, Rathbun served a three-year commitment in the U.S. Army, 3rd Infantry Division. While stationed in Fort Stewart, Georgia, he competed in an independent summer league where he was voted league MVP. This allowed him the opportunity to play for NJCAA Hall of Fame Coach Howard Roey at Division I Florida Community College in Jacksonville. After the birth of his son, Andrew Joseph, Rathbun returned home to play for Head Coach Henry Testa at HCCC. During his freshman year, he led the team with five wins and a 3.66 ERA, and posted a .429 batting average. During his senior season, Herkimer qualified for the Region III Tournament.

Upon graduating from Herkimer, Rathbun accepted a baseball scholarship to Division II Erskine College in South Carolina to play for former University of Alabama player and Philadelphia Phillies draft pick Kevin Nichols, known for his hitting styles, techniques and record-breaking seasons. At Erskine, Rathbun compiled a 7-3 record highlighted by a senior-season ERA of 2.64. Erskine broke the school wins record in Rathbun's senior season, with him earning the victory in the record-breaking 30th-win game. 

In addition to his coaching duties, Rathbun is employed in the housing department at HCCC. He lives in Herkimer with his wife Melissa and his son AJ. Coach Rathbun has also been a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association since 2005. He holds an Associate Degree from Herkimer CCC, Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management from Erskine College and a Master’s Degree in Sports Psychology from Capella University.