Long Beach State To Engage In National Search Process For New Baseball Head Coach
5/27/2024 8:04:00 AM | Baseball
Bryan Peters served as the program’s Interim Head Coach through the 2024 season.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State Athletics Executive Director of Athletics Bobby Smitheran announced that a national search process will begin immediately to hire a permanent new head coach to lead the Dirtbags program.
"I would like to thank Bryan Peters and the entire baseball coaching staff for their hard work this past season and their dedication to the Dirtbags program," said Smitheran. "Bryan provided steady leadership during a challenging transition period and engaged our student-athletes and alumni in a positive manner that positions this program for future success."
The program has only had eight prior head coaches in program history, with just four over the 35-year modern Dirtbag era marked by the hiring of Dave Snow in 1989. Since that time, Long Beach State and the Dirtbags have become synonymous with a commitment to hard work and sacrifice, competitive success, a national brand, and development onto the next level with continued success across Major League Baseball.
"Dirtbags Baseball is a national brand and identity grounded in excellence and a commitment to playing the game the right way," added Smitheran. "Our fan base is extraordinary, and our attendance numbers continue to show that our fan experience is one of the best in the west. I am excited to embark on a national search to identify the next leader of our storied program who will lead us back to national prominence at Bohl Diamond at Blair Field."
Long Beach State has been to the College World Series on four occasions, made three additional Super Regionals, and have advanced to the NCAA Postseason 22 times. The Dirtbags had had 12 Big West Pitcher of the Year winners, 5 Big West Player of the Year winners, and two Golden Spikes Award finalists, including 2004 National Player of the Year Jered Weaver.
Long Beach State baseball has produced 57 big leaguers including three debuts already in 2024, and have had multiple active former players in MLB since the first class of 1989 Dirtbag draftees reached "The Show" in 1991. Those players have gone on to make 21 All-Star Game appearances and win multiple World Series rings while continuing to play the Dirtbag way as professionals.
Home to some of the best fans in baseball, Long Beach State has led the State of California in college baseball attendance in each of the last two seasons and has drawn over 2000 fans inside of Bohl Diamond at Blair Field 21 times in that period. This includes a three-game series versus Cal State Fullerton this season that saw 8,948 fans attend over three games, breaking a record set during the 1996 season.
Peters accepted the role as Interim Head Coach for the 2024 season following the departure of Eric Valenzuela in June of 2023 under the guidance of then Interim Director of Athletics, Ted Kadowaki. Long Beach State baseball finished the 2024 season with a record of 25-29-1 and finished in eighth place in Big West play.
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