Warrecker leaving SBCC for Cal Poly job

Teddy Warrecker has stepped down as the head baseball coach at Santa Barbara City College to accept an assistant coaching position at Cal Poly.

Warrecker announced the news today.

Warrecker, 37, guided the SBCC program for 10 years, winning the Western State Conference championship in 2007 and qualifying for the Southern California Regionals three times.

He restored credibility and a winning attitude to a program that had struggled to keep local high school players in town.

Prior to his arrival, the team had endured 19 straight sub-.500 seasons. In the last seven years, he guided Santa Barbara to six winning campaigns and three regional playoff appearances.

In 2007, his team posted a school-best record of 34-10 and won its first WSC North title in 29 years with a 20-5 mark. Over the last four years, the Vaqueros have gone 102-65 (.611).

“It’s been a dream of mine to coach at the Division1 level,” said Warrecker. “I’ve known for at least five years that’s where I wanted to be. Coach (Larry) Lee approached me about the job and it really came out of left field.

“In this business, it’s all about who you know. Larry is my mentor and the best part about the hire is the dynamic and the school and the fit.”

The Warrecker name is synonymous with baseball in Santa Barbara. He played for his father, Fred Warrecker, at Santa Barbara High (he is still the coach there) and was fortunate enough to come back and coach in his hometown. He coached several of his father’s players from the high school.

Warrecker played collegiately at Hancock College and the University of Arizona before signing with the Cleveland Indians after his junior year. He played six years in the minor leagues before completing his Bachelor’s degree at Cal State Northridge. He has a Master’s in sports science from the U.S. Sports Academy.

Warrecker will be joining the staff of Larry Lee, whom he coached against when Lee was the head coach at Cuesta College. He’ll be in charge of catchers, hitters and recruiting.

“That was an incredible honor,” said Warrecker. “Out of all the players who had played for him and coaches who had worked with him, he chose me. We’ve had a connection and now we’re going to be together and I think it’s going to be a great fit.”

Warrecker was a part-time employee at SBCC. His position at Cal Poly is full-time.

Warrecker was known for his attention to detail, and that included grooming the field at Pershing Park. He would be at the field daily making sure the infield was properly maintained and the mound and batter’s box were in top shape. He also was instrumental in getting new dugouts built and a scoreboard put in.

“We’re sad to see him go but happy he’s getting this opportunity,” said interim SBCC athletic director Ellen O’Connor. “He’s been Mr. SBCC baseball the last 10 years and did a great job of reviving the program and turning it into a contender in the WSC.

“He worked tirelessly to improve the field and surroundings at Pershing Park to provide student-athletes with a home field that reflected excellence.”