SDSU Baseball names Stephen Strasburg to Coaching Staff
Credit: SDSU
A new week brought great news for the San Diego State Baseball team.
On Monday, October 27, the university announced that World Series MVP and Aztec alumnus Stephen Strausburg will join the coaching staff.
According to goaztecs.com, “Strasburg will lend his support to the Aztec baseball program, including fundraising and special events, along with alumni and donor relations. In addition, he will serve as a team mentor to improve the student-athlete experience, while offering assistance in pitching development.”
Strasburg’s career at San Diego State was nothing short of amazing.
In 2009, Strasburg won the USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award. That year, the College Baseball Foundation also named him the National Pitcher of the Year. He also earned the Dick Howser Trophy that season, the equivalent of football’s Heisman Trophy.
ICYMI, check out Aztec legend Stephen Strasburg’s press conference after he was introduced as special assistant to SDSU head coach Kevin Vance (@SorryBoutIt10) on Monday! #GoAztecs https://t.co/aVwQRY0gkE
— San Diego State Baseball (@AztecBaseball) October 28, 2025
During his time on the Mesa, Strasburg was a consensus first-team All-America selection in both 2008 and 2009 and earned Mountain West Pitcher of the Year awards.
The Washington Nationals selected Strasburg first overall in the 2009 MLB First-Year Player Draft.
He was a three-time All-Star in 13 seasons with the Nationals before his career was cut short by injury. Strausburg brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to an Aztec team that has struggled as of late.
In the last four seasons, the Aztecs have not finished at or above a .500 win percentage.
Back in July, the university hired Kevin Vance as the new head coach. Vance came over from the University of Arizona as an assistant coach. The Aztecs now look to Vance and Strausburg to right the ship. Strasburg seems to be a great hire to help shake up the culture. The university said on Monday that, “To have someone of Stephen’s stature, who chooses to give back to our players and program, says everything you need to know about who he is and what his values are.” Hopefully, Strausburg can bring the Aztecs back to their winning ways.
A Southern California kid from San Clemente, he attended Gonzaga University and obtained a degree in sports management with minors in digital marketing and public relations. Max has been a San Diego sports fan for life.