SAN JOSE, Calif. – Mat Keplinger has been named San José State assistant baseball coach and Thomas Walker has been promoted to associate head coach, head coach Brad Sanfilippo announced on Thursday. Keplinger comes to the Spartans from the University of San Francisco where he was most recently the interim head coach. Keplinger led the Dons to a 28-29 record including a win over No. 17 Gonzaga.
"I'm really grateful for the opportunity that coach Brad Sanfilippo has given me and to my family," Keplinger said of joining the Spartans. "The program is on the rise and I am extremely excited to help this program win a Mountain West Championship."
"We welcome Mat to our coaching staff. He is a great coach and first class individual who brings a wealth of knowledge and winning from California junior colleges to success in the West Coast Conference," Sanfilippo said. "Coach Kep did a phenomenal job as Interim Head Coach this past season at University of San Francisco, leading the Dons to the WCC Tournament. He has a great track record of developing pitchers and builds great relationships with his staffs. Coach Kep is a great addition to the Spartan Baseball program."
Walker is being promoted to associate head coach after three seasons with the Spartans. During his time at San José State, Thomas was the hitting coach for Ruben Ibarra who was drafted in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds and was the highest drafted player from SJSU since 2004. Walker was also the recruiting coordinator for Brady Hill who played one season with the Spartans before signing with the Colorado Rockies after being drafted in the 2022 MLB Draft. The Spartans finished with a winning record (30-29) for the first time in over a decade last season and made it to the Mountain West Championship game. SJSU also won two conference tournament games for the first time since the 2011 WAC tournament and finished the year with a single-season school record of 66 home runs.
"I am very blessed and fortunate to have been given this opportunity three years ago by Coach Sanfilippo," Walker said. "His trust in me, mentorship and beliefs have helped elevate me as a man and a coach. I'm extremely thankful for the amazing young men who have and continue to choose this amazing university and baseball program. The future is bright."
"Thomas has done a tremendous job of recruiting, development and coaching to help build this program back to a level that our alumni and supporters can be proud of," Sanfilippo said of Walker's time at SJSU so far. "Coach Walker assists me in all aspects of this program and we will continue to push this program to realize the goals we have set out to accomplish. This promotion is well deserved."
KEPLINGER'S PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
- USF interim head coach (2021-22)
- USF assistant coach (2019-21)
- San Joaquin Delta College pitching coach (2012-19)
- State Champions at San Joaquin Delta College (2018)
- Pitching staff lowered their ERA by more than a run in his first season with the Dons
- University of Nevada pitcher from (2006-11)
What they're saying about Mat Keplinger
Reed Peters, Head Baseball Coach, San Joaquin Delta College
"Mat was instrumental in a long run of success at Delta College. He is a great recruiter who brought in a wealth of talent to the program. More importantly he developed that talent on and off the field. He is a great role model and mentor and will be a huge asset to the San Jose State Baseball Program."
Mark Papadopolous, Associate Athletics Director of Facilities and Special Projects, University of San Francisco
"San Jose State and Coach Sanfilippo made a great hire with Mat Keplinger. He is knowledgeable about the game and more impressively is a quality human being with great character. Mat will be a great asset to Brad's staff."
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