Don Barbara Hired as Second Assistant LONG BEACH, CA-- Head Baseball Coach Mike Weathers completed his staff today by announcing that Long Beach State Athletic Hall of Famer, Don Barbara, is returning to The Beach as the team's second assistant coach. Barbara previously was the Facility Operation Manager for the All-American Baseball Academy. Barbara served as a volunteer assistant coach and the team's hitting coach at Long Beach State from 1997 to 1999. "We're glad to have Don Barbara back in the fold and apart of the Dirtbag family," said Weathers, who took over for Dave Snow, who retired in June. "He brings a lot of experience to the position. He will again serve as our hitting coach, as well as in all aspects of recruiting." Barbara enjoyed a seven-year professional career, reaching AAA for the Angels, Brewers, Dodgers and Red Sox. Barbara played for the Dirtbags in 1989 and 1990 after transferring from Orange Coast College. In 1990, Barbara was named the NCAA Division-I Hitter of the Year and Big West Player of the Year after batting .474 -- still a school record. Barbara played on the school's first College World Series team in 1989, earning All-West Regional honors. Barbara is still atop the career charts with a .429 average, and was inducted into the Long Beach State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998. QUESTION AND ANSWER WITH DON BARBARA Question: How do you feel about coming back to The Beach? "I am very happy to be back here at Long Beach State, it is a place where I started and a place where I am looking to end my carrer. I love the school and the baseball program and It has always been a dream to be an official coach here. (not just a volunteer) I am looking foward to the challenge of keeping this program in the same direstion that Coach Snow left it." Question: What are your thoughts on New Head Coach Mike Weathers? "Coach Weathers is a fantastic coach and Im lucky to beable to coach under him and Coach Snow. I know what he expects of me and I know how he goes about things since I was able to be with him for 3 years." Question: What are the team's chances at returning to the College World Series? "We will always strive to get there but we have to take care of business during the season first. We have some very good returners and some very good young talent coming in. So we will see how it all plays itself out." | 
