Kevin Vance Appointed Head Coach of SDSU Baseball

Categories: College University AthleticsCollege/University NewsEducation

The SDSU baseball team preparing for the upcoming season under new head coach.

News Summary

San Diego State University has announced Kevin Vance as the new head coach for its baseball program. A local talent and former pitching coach at the University of Arizona, Vance aims to improve both player performance and character development. Influenced by alumni recommendations, he focuses on rebuilding the pitching staff and enhancing local recruitment. Vance describes SDSU baseball as a ‘sleeping giant’ and has ambitious plans for elevating the program to national championship contenders.

San Diego – San Diego State University (SDSU) has welcomed Kevin Vance as the new head coach for its baseball program, announced by Director of Athletics John David Wicker. Vance is set to return to his hometown of San Diego after a successful stint as the pitching coach at the University of Arizona, where his leadership contributed significantly to the team’s NCAA Men’s College World Series appearance.

Excitement surrounds Vance’s return to San Diego, with the coach expressing his enthusiasm about leading the Aztecs. He has outlined his commitment not only to improving player performance on the field but also to nurturing the character of young athletes off the field. Vance’s vision emphasizes the importance of developing “great human beings” who excel in their personal lives.

Vance’s hiring was influenced by input from prominent SDSU baseball alumni, including Stephen Strasburg, Bud Black, and Tony Gwynn Jr. Their recommendations underscore the confidence in Vance’s capabilities to rejuvenate the Aztecs baseball program.

A notable figure in the realm of baseball, Vance has a solid foundation in the sport, having been a standout two-way player at Torrey Pines High School where he garnered first-team all-CIF San Diego Section honors in 2008. He continued to make strides in collegiate baseball at the University of Connecticut, achieving second-team NCBWA All-America recognition. While with UConn, he finished as the program’s second all-time leader in saves, securing 21 saves during his college career. His journey in professional baseball began when he was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 19th round of the 2011 MLB Draft, leading to five seasons of play at various levels.

Vance’s coaching career started at the University of Rhode Island, where he spent five seasons, including a stint as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. He then enhanced his coaching pedigree with two seasons at Boston College before making a significant impact at Arizona, where he helped reduce the team’s earned run average (ERA) considerably. During his two years at Arizona, Vance oversaw a successful program, leading the Wildcats to an impressive record of 80 wins against 44 losses (.645) while securing three conference titles.

One of Vance’s primary objectives at SDSU will be to reform the pitching staff, which has struggled in recent seasons, evidenced by the team’s last place ranking in several statistical categories within the Mountain West conference. His strategic focus will involve retaining current players while also intensifying recruitment efforts, especially within the local talent pool. Vance has identified the San Diego area as a rich resource for athletic talent and aims to ensure that local players feel valued by the program.

Vance describes SDSU baseball as a “sleeping giant,” voicing his ambition to elevate the program’s status to national championship contenders each year. Preparations are underway with the Aztecs set to start fall workouts in early September. The upcoming spring season is slated to begin in February, marking an exciting new chapter for SDSU baseball under Vance’s leadership.

The overarching goal for Vance is to foster a program culture grounded in leadership development while preparing players for life beyond their baseball careers. With plans in place to strengthen the team both on and off the field, the SDSU baseball program looks to a promising future with Vance at the helm.