San Diego native Kevin Vance named new head baseball coach at SDSU
Credit: Arizona Athletics
San Diego State has found its next head baseball coach—and he’s coming home.
Kevin Vance, a San Diego native and former Torrey Pines High School standout, has been named the new leader of the Aztecs’ baseball program. The 34-year-old takes the reins after two seasons under Chip Hale at Arizona, filling the recent hole left by the departure of Shaun Cole.
Vance arrives from the University of Arizona, where he served as the Wildcats’ pitching coach for the past two years. He played a key role in the program’s recent trip to the College World Series in Omaha. While Arizona was eliminated after two games, the team’s strong showing underscored the value Vance brought to the staff.
Before his stint in Tucson, Vance built a diverse coaching résumé. He began as a volunteer assistant at UConn, his alma mater, and later became the recruiting coordinator and assistant coach at Rhode Island. He held a similar role at Boston College before joining the Arizona staff.
A former two-way player at Torrey Pines, Vance went on to pitch at UConn and was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 19th round of the 2011 MLB Draft. He played six professional seasons, reaching Triple-A, before transitioning into a coaching role.
For Vance, the return to San Diego is more than a professional move—it’s personal.
“I grew up watching games at SDSU and even played at Tony Gwynn Stadium in high school,” Vance said. “This opportunity means a lot to me, and I’m excited to build something special with this program.”
San Diego State hiring Arizona pitching coach, Torrey Pines grad to run baseball programhttps://t.co/FcqlqQxu2r
— The San Diego Union-Tribune (@sdut) June 17, 2025
His connection to the area, combined with experience coaching and recruiting across the country, positions him well to lead SDSU into a new era.
Vance replaces Cole, who also came to SDSU after working as a pitching coach at Arizona and led the Aztecs to a 45-66 record over two seasons.
As he steps into the role, Vance brings not only deep ties to the community but also a proven ability to develop pitchers and connect with players—something SDSU hopes will revitalize the program.
Scott Keene is a staff writer covering San Diego State athletics and Padres baseball for East Village Times. A San Diego native with deep roots in the local sports scene, he combines firsthand experience with analytical insight.
Follow him on X: @Scottykk88.