Local college coaching search doesn't need to look far

Corey Costelloe.

Many of you are aware of my history within NCAA athletics, specifically at Cal State Bakersfield having served as their radio announcer from 2003-2017. Mostly with basketball before the creation of the baseball program in 2009, when I added that sport into the broadcast mix. A few seasons later I was an employee of the university and very connected with the baseball program as they built everything from the ground up.

Recently it was announced that Jeremy Beard, the Roadrunners head coach from 2017-2024 would not be returning and the search was underway for his replacement, who will become the fourth head coach in the history of the program, which was started by legendary head coach Bill Kernen in 2009. Since his departure, the program has struggled with its identity, recruiting and competing at the level that previously included a pair of conference championships and a berth into the NCAA Regionals in 2015. It just has not been the same.

Let me save the powers-that-be at CSUB lots of time, money and trouble, the search for their next head coach should be an easy one, because the perfect replacement is within eyesight. Former Roadrunners catcher and one of the original players dating back to 2009; Jeremy Rodriguez.

JRod, as most know him, was not only a standout student-athlete at CSUB during his three seasons from 2009-2011, but a leader in the clubhouse and behind the plate. He called the shots on the field without any input from the coaches on the bench. Simply put, they trusted him, just as the university now should trust him as an alum to help return their program to its former success.

Rodriguez led CSUB through several firsts. In 2009, CSUB became the first team in NCAA history to defeat a defending national champion (Fresno State 2008) during their inaugural season of play. They beat the Bulldogs several times during his career when Fresno State was the toast of the college baseball world. He was one of the best hitters on the team, rare for a catcher but a testament to his work ethic and preparation put in as a young player under the guidance of his father Omar, who to this day I consider one of the best humans I have had the pleasure of knowing.

In 2011, Rodriguez and the Roadrunners nearly accomplished the unheard-of. They nearly made the NCAA Tournament as an independent program. Had it not been for a rough stretch of eight consecutive losses midway through the year, their 33-22 record was enough for tournament consideration with the selection committee placing them as the "first ones out" due to some upsets in the other conference tournaments, and again, that tough eight-game stretch that hampered their chances.

A few months later Rodriguez was selected in the 16th round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the San Diego Padres. He played four seasons reaching Double-A twice before the organization had better plans for him, allowing him to play one final game in 2015 before he retired to take coaching jobs with the Padres. Those assignments included the various levels of minor leagues before he was sent to manage their academy teams in the Dominican Republic. Rodriguez briefly joined the Dodgers organization for a few seasons as a minor league coach as well, and received a World Series ring following the Dodgers 2020 championship for his efforts within the organization. Since then, he has coached some high school, college and worked with young players assisting them in getting to the next level, whatever that may be.

His tenacity as a player is veiled by his kindness, sharp eye and million-dollar smile that is necessary in today's tough recruiting environment, especially for a greatly-underfunded program like Cal State Bakersfield. But money isn't everything, which the Roadrunners proved during Kernen's tenure and Rodriguez's time as a player for the upstart program that for several years had to change in the parking lot before a portable clubhouse was procured. He practiced on various diamonds around Bakersfield before their permanent playing field was complete. All that while competing against the best across the nation, defeating defending national champions (both Fresno State in 2009 and South Carolina in 2011), and putting that program on the map.

He knows the type of players needed to compete in a place like Bakersfield, he knows there is plenty of talent available in Kern County, something that a few recent head coaches ignored. He, like many of his teammates, were recruited to CSUB because they were overlooked by others. Sure, they could play, but other programs thought they were "too small" or "too slow" or just didn't have "all the tools." But what scouts and coaches often overlook is heart, something Rodriguez and the successful CSUB baseball teams after him all had in common. Heart and a mentality to prove everyone who has ever overlooked them wrong.

There has been plenty of speculation since the head coaching vacancy opened up that Rodriguez is the man for the job. He has remained close to the program, trying to bring kids to his alma mater, some of which were ignored, but went on to other programs and had success against the Roadrunners. It's time to bring kids like that into the CSUB fold under his leadership.

With his vast coaching experience, knowledge of the right type of recruit for a place like Bakersfield, his connection to the community and to Southern California recruiting, makes someone like Rodriguez the right man for the job. Outside of his playing ability, he has proven to be one heck of a coach. Now it's time he gets to fill out the lineup card for his alma mater.

Having my own first-hand knowledge of CSUB's operational issues and their constant eye on the bottom line, they can save themselves plenty of time and money by making the obvious choice, and putting one of their own back in blue and gold and making Rodriguez the next leader of that program. Enough with the "national search" theatrics and hyperbole, it's standard language I myself used in press releases to make it sound important, it's unnecessary. This search needs only to look into the CSUB record books to find the right candidate. He's called the shots before from behind the plate, give him the chance to do it from the dugout.

Corey Costelloe has covered NCAA, professional and local sports for more than 20 years as a reporter, broadcaster and athletics administrator. He advocates for the value of athletic competition and serves as the President of the Tehachapi Warriors Booster Club. He can be reached at [email protected].