Photo by: Andrew Rodriguez
Dirtbags Head Coach Eric Valenzuela Receives Contract Extension
7/22/2021 10:00:00 AM | Baseball
Valenzuela receives extension through the 2026 season.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Coming off of two promising seasons, Long Beach State Baseball Head Coach Eric Valenzuela received a new contract extension, locking up the Dirtbags skipper through the 2026 season.
"Coach Valenzuela continues to elevate the Dirtbags baseball program to new levels," said Executive Director of Athletics, Andy Fee. "While the past two seasons have been challenging due to COVID-19, he has rebuilt the very core of our program with significant recruiting and on the field successes. In addition to the on-field performance, Eric has continued to develop a culture of growth and winning, doing so in a positive mindset. We are thrilled to extend Eric's contract keeping him in Long Beach coming off two very successful seasons, and look forward to competition for championships on the diamond and in the classroom."
Valenzuela made an immediate impact on the field for Long Beach State in a short period. Coming off of a season that featured the fewest wins in the Dirtbags era, Valenzuela led the Dirtbags to a 10-5 start before the COVID-19 halted the season. The squad was ranked as high as No. 12 in the nation after a series win over No. 6 Mississippi State (the 2021 national champions) and a series sweep of No. 17 Wake Forest.
In 2021, the team did not have any fall practice and was one of the final Division I teams in the nation to restart practice and competition. Returning to team activities one week before a March 19 start date, the Dirtbags dropped a road series as part of a 3-5 start, but then went 25-10 the rest of the way before just missing the postseason as an at-large selection, widely regarded as a snub by national media outlets. The Dirtbags won their last four series, ending 2021 as winners of 15 of their final 17 games.
Widely respected as a pitching coach and recruiter, the Dirtbags finished the 2020 season 4th in the nation in WHIP and 12th in ERA, and closed the 2021 season also in the Top 25 in the country in ERA.
The team once again had multiple draftees, continuing a streak throughout the Dirtbags era of baseball at Long Beach State, and the squad had eight players earn Academic All-Big West honors in addition to a pair of top competitive awards from Big West Co-Pitcher of the Year Johnathan Lavallee and Big West Freshman Pitcher of the Year Devereaux Harrison.
"Absolutely honored and thankful for the continued support from President Conoley and Executive Director of Athletics Andy Fee," said Valenzuela. "My staff and I will continue to give everything we have to build upon this special university and baseball program. We are excited for the future and have lots of work to continue to do. Thanks Dirtbag Nation and Go Beach!!"
"Coach Valenzuela continues to elevate the Dirtbags baseball program to new levels," said Executive Director of Athletics, Andy Fee. "While the past two seasons have been challenging due to COVID-19, he has rebuilt the very core of our program with significant recruiting and on the field successes. In addition to the on-field performance, Eric has continued to develop a culture of growth and winning, doing so in a positive mindset. We are thrilled to extend Eric's contract keeping him in Long Beach coming off two very successful seasons, and look forward to competition for championships on the diamond and in the classroom."
Valenzuela made an immediate impact on the field for Long Beach State in a short period. Coming off of a season that featured the fewest wins in the Dirtbags era, Valenzuela led the Dirtbags to a 10-5 start before the COVID-19 halted the season. The squad was ranked as high as No. 12 in the nation after a series win over No. 6 Mississippi State (the 2021 national champions) and a series sweep of No. 17 Wake Forest.
In 2021, the team did not have any fall practice and was one of the final Division I teams in the nation to restart practice and competition. Returning to team activities one week before a March 19 start date, the Dirtbags dropped a road series as part of a 3-5 start, but then went 25-10 the rest of the way before just missing the postseason as an at-large selection, widely regarded as a snub by national media outlets. The Dirtbags won their last four series, ending 2021 as winners of 15 of their final 17 games.
Widely respected as a pitching coach and recruiter, the Dirtbags finished the 2020 season 4th in the nation in WHIP and 12th in ERA, and closed the 2021 season also in the Top 25 in the country in ERA.
The team once again had multiple draftees, continuing a streak throughout the Dirtbags era of baseball at Long Beach State, and the squad had eight players earn Academic All-Big West honors in addition to a pair of top competitive awards from Big West Co-Pitcher of the Year Johnathan Lavallee and Big West Freshman Pitcher of the Year Devereaux Harrison.
"Absolutely honored and thankful for the continued support from President Conoley and Executive Director of Athletics Andy Fee," said Valenzuela. "My staff and I will continue to give everything we have to build upon this special university and baseball program. We are excited for the future and have lots of work to continue to do. Thanks Dirtbag Nation and Go Beach!!"
Players Mentioned
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