UCSB baseball coach Andrew Checketts has added Jason Hawkins, the former head coach at Occidental College, to the his coaching staff, the team announced on Monday.
Hawkins rounds out the full-time Gaucho coaching staff as he joins the UCSB staff after three successful seasons heading the Occidental squad. Prior to Occidental, Hawkins served as the infield and hitting coach at the University of Redlands from 2005-08.
“He’s been an under-the-radar coach but he has a great baseball mind,” Checketts said. “He has run a pressure offense at Redlands and Occidental and under Jason it was just going to be a matter of time at Occidental before they were going to be a power in that conference.”
Hawkins inherited a team at Occidental that was in need of rebuilding and he turned the program around. While there he led the Tigers to more victories in a three-year span since 1991-94. At Redlands Hawkins was part of a coaching staff that compiled a .646 winning percentage while also setting school records in batting average and stolen bases.
Hawkins has also worked as a pitching coach and bench coach for two summer league programs and served as a head coach of two successful high school programs.
“I’ve had the pleasure of watching Coach Checketts from afar the past few years and there’s nobody better at doing what he does,” Hawkins said. “His leadership and vision for this program will push us to the top of the Big West in a very short time. My family and I are grateful for the opportunity and I want to thank Coach Checketts, the UCSB athletic department staff and Director of Athletics Mark W. Massari.”
Redlands + Occidental – are you kidding me? Why not save some $$$ and just hire a H.S baseball coach. Why you are at it you can also offer a scholarship to that girl baseball player at San Marcos – who I hear throws in the mid 50’s – which is probably faster than your ace at Oxy.
Do not be bitter Al. Really, you sound ignorant and foolish with your comments.
I bet you think that UCSB should of hired Pintard, right? Or wait, Teddy?
Come on “Al”, a current Head Coach at a NAIA, JC or Division III level with a winning background is more than qualified to be an assistant at a Big West Baseball school. Especially at a losing program like UCSB’s.
Seriously, you should think twice before you post another ignorant comment.
Don’t be bitter, instead support our local university.