Chris Bodishbaugh and Chad Highberger have both been promoted to assistant coaches for the 2023-24 season.
Cal Baseball Coaches Stepping Into Full-Time Roles
BERKELEY – California baseball head coach Mike Neu announced Thursday that Chris Bodishbaugh and Chad Highberger have been elevated to full-time assistant coaches on the Golden Bears’ staff.
Bodishbaugh will take over pitching coach duties while Highberger will continue to oversee catchers and infielders and assist with the hitters. Former pitching coach and 2012 Cal alumnus Matt Flemer has left coaching to pursue other professional opportunities.
Earlier this spring, the NCAA passed legislation that allows Division I baseball and softball programs to increase their full-time assistant coaches from two to three. The rule went into effect July 1.
“Chris and Chad have been integral parts of our baseball program and I’m thrilled to expand their roles on our staff,” Neu said. “Their tireless work ethic and commitment to our program’s core values made this an easy decision, and our current and future players will thrive under their guidance.”
Bodishbaugh, an East Bay native, is entering his second year with the Bears after serving as the team’s director of player development last season. He oversaw the team’s analytics and supported the Cal coaching staff – specifically Flemer and Neu – in the previous role.
Bodishbaugh began his coaching career in 2012 and has worked with pitchers at all levels. Before joining the Cal coaching staff, he served as the pitching coach and strength and conditioning coach at Los Medanos College from 2021-22. While at LMC, he oversaw 50 pitchers move on to four-year schools and helped the Mustangs capture three league titles while advancing to the CCCBA playoffs eight times. His pitching staff led the Bay Valley Conference in earned-run average six times and he saw two pitchers earn Bay Valley Pitcher of the Year honors. In his last year at Los Medanos, his squad led the league in strikeouts.
A graduate of Chico State, Bodishbaugh pitched for one season for the Wildcats before embarking on an eight-year professional career, which most notably included pitching in the minor league system for the Florida Marlins and Chicago White Sox.
“It’s a coaching staff that I enjoyed…
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