News Summary
Kevin Vance has been named the head coach of the San Diego State baseball program, as announced by the Director of Athletics. Vance aims to improve team performance after two challenging seasons, drawing on his experience from the University of Arizona where he helped lead the Wildcats to the 2025 NCAA Men’s College World Series. With a strong commitment to player development and a vision for building a competitive team through the transfer portal, Vance’s local ties and coaching background set the stage for a new era in Aztecs baseball.
San Diego
Kevin Vance has been appointed as the new head coach of the San Diego State baseball program, announced by SDSU Director of Athletics John David Wicker. Vance steps into the role following two challenging seasons for the team, with the hope of rejuvenating the program’s performance and competitiveness.
Vance, a native San Diegan and former player at Torrey Pines High School, joins SDSU after a successful tenure at the University of Arizona. As an assistant coach from 2023 to 2025, he contributed to the Wildcats’ remarkable journey to the 2025 NCAA Men’s College World Series. His track record of success reflects a commitment to cultivating talent and enhancing team performance, which Wicker believes will be instrumental in advancing the Aztecs’ baseball prominence.
With a distinguished background in baseball, Vance was an All-American baseball player during his college career at the University of Connecticut. He played five seasons of organized baseball after being drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 2011, reaching as high as Triple-A with the Reno Aces in 2015. His minor league stats include a record of 20-14, a 3.81 ERA, and 365 strikeouts over 177 appearances.
Coaching Journey
Before his role at Arizona, Vance held various coaching positions that contributed to his experience and expertise:
- Assistant Coach at Boston College (2022-2023)
- Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator at the University of Rhode Island (2018-2021)
- Volunteer Assistant Coach at Rhode Island (2017)
At Arizona, Vance played a crucial role in strengthening the pitching staff. The team’s earned run average (ERA) saw a significant decrease from 5.97 in 2023 to 4.46 in 2024. Under his guidance, Arizona achieved all-Pac-12 recognition for three weekend starters and saw four pitchers selected in the MLB Draft after the 2024 season. Notably, Arizona’s Tony Pluta earned the title of 2025 NCBWA Stopper of the Year, setting a single-season school record with 14 saves.
Vision for the Future
As he takes charge of the Aztecs, Vance aims to raise the program’s profile and influence in collegiate baseball. He has expressed a strong commitment to retaining existing players while leveraging the transfer portal to build a competitive team. Currently, notable players in the portal include All-Mountain West second-team selections Marko Sipila and infielder Nevan Noonan, indicating immediate roster challenges for the new coach.
Vance envisions hosting regionals at Tony Gwynn Stadium and competing for championships on a consistent basis. Wicker highlighted Vance’s familiarity with the community and the potential for him to lead the team back to NCAA tournament prominence, which has been lacking in recent years.
Player Development
Beyond immediate performance goals, Vance is dedicated to cultivating young men and leaders. He focuses on building a strong community culture within the program, underscoring the importance of character development alongside athletic achievement. Notable figures in the baseball community, such as Bud Black, Stephen Strasburg, and Tony Gwynn Jr., have voiced support for Vance’s hiring, reflecting his credibility and the respect he commands within the sport.
With a vision to foster excellence both on and off the field, Vance’s appointment marks a new chapter for the San Diego State baseball program. His experience, local ties, and ambitious goals set the stage for what could be an exciting era for Aztecs baseball.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 5 San Diego
- Wikipedia: San Diego State Aztecs baseball
- CBS 8
- Google Search: San Diego State baseball
- The Daily Aztec
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Baseball
- Go Aztecs
- Google News: Kevin Vance
