News Summary
San Diego State University has announced the appointment of Kevin Vance as the new head coach for its baseball program. A native of San Diego, Vance previously served as the pitching coach at the University of Arizona, where he contributed to the team’s performance in the NCAA Men’s College World Series. His experience includes playing at UConn, where he was drafted by the Chicago White Sox. Vance aims to revitalize the SDSU program, attracting talent and enhancing competitive capabilities while focusing on player development and recruitment.
San Diego
San Diego State University has appointed Kevin Vance as the new head coach of its baseball program. Vance, a San Diego native and graduate of Torrey Pines High School, takes over the role following the dismissal of Shaun Cole last month.
At 34 years old, Vance brings a wealth of experience from his recent tenure as the pitching coach at the University of Arizona, where he played a significant role in leading the Wildcats to the 2025 NCAA Men’s College World Series. Although the team faced early elimination, Vance’s guidance helped enhance their competitive edge.
Prior to his time at Arizona, Vance played both shortstop and pitcher at UConn where he showcased his talent, culminating in being drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 19th round of the 2011 MLB draft. After spending five seasons in the minor leagues and achieving the rank of Triple-A, he transitioned to coaching where he began his career as a volunteer assistant at UConn. He subsequently served as recruiting coordinator and assistant coach at Rhode Island and then Boston College before joining Arizona.
With his appointment, Vance becomes the seventh head coach in the history of SDSU’s baseball program, which spans 90 years, following notable figures such as Tony Gwynn and Charley Smith. Athletic Director John David Wicker expressed confidence in Vance’s understanding of both the baseball program and the local community, viewing him as a fitting leader for the squad.
Vance aims to revitalize the program that has been characterized as a “sleeping giant.” He is committed to winning quickly while also fostering individual development amongst players. His immediate challenge involves assessing the current roster, particularly in light of the recent departure of at least eight players who have entered the NCAA transfer portal. Among those players are critical contributors such as Marko Sipila, SDSU’s top starting pitcher.
In a positive development, the NCAA regulations have increased the number of scholarships that can be offered to 34, moving on from the previous cap of 11.7. Vance plans to leverage this change to attract talent and bolster the program significantly. He envisions enhancing the competitive capabilities of SDSU baseball by improving roster management and recruitment strategies.
Vance has also identified the need for upgrades to Tony Gwynn Stadium, including addressing deferred maintenance issues that have arisen over time. He expressed a vision that includes competing for championships on a yearly basis and potentially hosting NCAA regionals at the facility. This ambition aligns with the transition of the SDSU baseball team into a restructured Pac-12 Conference, which will offer heightened competition, particularly against formidable teams like Oregon State.
With a strong focus on player retention and local recruitment, Vance’s commitment not only revolves around winning games but also ensuring that players grow into responsible adults. As he embarks on this new journey, the San Diego State baseball community watches with anticipation, hoping that Vance’s leadership will bring a new era of success to the program.
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Additional Resources
- The Daily Aztec
- Sports Illustrated
- San Diego Union-Tribune
- Google Search: San Diego State Baseball
- Wikipedia: San Diego State Aztecs Baseball
