University of the Pacific Baseball: A Legacy of Tradition and a New Era of Excellence
The University of the Pacific baseball program boasts a history that stretches back to 1945. From its humble beginnings to the present day, the program has woven itself into the fabric of the university's traditions. With a storied past and a renewed focus on the future, Pacific baseball stands poised to achieve even greater heights.
Early Years and Major League Connections
The University of the Pacific Division I baseball program started in 1945. The program has seen a number of its players go on to professional careers, with Grant Dunlap being the first former Tiger to make it to the Major Leagues. Twelve former University of the Pacific ballplayers made it to the majors.
A Change in Culture
Reed Peters, who won two state championships, sent 31 players onto professional baseball and was national coach of the year as head coach of San Joaquin Delta College, is the new head coach of the Pacific Tigers baseball program. “The biggest thing Pacific baseball needs right now is a change in culture,” Peters said. “Players don’t always start out great; we have to develop them, and that’s what we did at Delta. Furthermore, we’re going to have to outwork our opponents, whether that be in the weight room, on the field or in our everyday lives. Once we can establish the right work ethic, we’ll be able to change the entire mindset of the program, and that’s where it all starts.”
Reed Peters: Ushering in a New Era
Head coach Reed Peters will usher in a new era of University of the Pacific baseball ahead of the 2025 season. With a new coaching staff and a retooled roster, the Tigers are set to ride a wave of excitement into Klein Family Field this year.
Peters comes to Pacific with a proven track record of success. During his 17 years as head coach of the Mustangs, Peters won the California Community College Athletic Association state championship in 2011 and 2018, was the state runner up in 2009, 2014, 2015 and this past season and had seven Final Four and 10 Elite Eight appearances. His record at Delta College was 386-167.
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Before joining Delta, Peters enjoyed success at each of his previous stops, including four seasons at Feather River College where he compiled a 107-58 record, two conference championships, four straight Top-20 rankings and playoff appearances, three Coach of the Year honors (2005, 2006, & 2007), and an unprecedented 25-0 Golden Valley Conference record in 2007. He also coached at the Air Force Academy from 1999-2003, Colby Community College in Colby, Kansas and his alma mater UNLV, where he began his coaching career. Before coaching, Peters played professionally from 1987-93 and was a 12th-round draft choice of the California Angels in 1987. His appointment makes him the 20th head coach in Pacific baseball history, which began in 1945.
“The Pacific Tigers baseball program has a tried-and-true winner in Reed Peters,” said Athletic Director Adam Tschuor. “His proven track record as a developer of talent turned a program that hadn't made a playoff appearance in 20 years into a year-in, year-out championship contender nearly every year of his 17-year career at Delta, including two state titles. I am even more excited to have someone who is undeniably beloved in the Stockton community. That, along with the success he'll lead our Tigers to on the field, will galvanize this program into a West Coast Conference Champion and beyond," Tschuor said.
Peters has proven capable of turning a program around. The Mustangs had an 8-36 record prior to his arrival.
Building a Winning Culture
Peters is focused on developing well-rounded players and building a winning culture at Pacific.
“I’d like to thank President Christopher Callahan and Director of Athletics Adam Tschuor for the opportunity to be a part of the baseball program at University of the Pacific,” Peters said. “I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead and excited to continue my coaching career here in this community that means so much to me. While every journey presents challenges, my staff and I will work tirelessly to develop well rounded players and build a winning culture at Pacific.”
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“It’s my first time in the league, but I’m excited to get started,” Peters said. “Our fall has been good, getting these guys ready for the season. I believe we will be more competitive than in years past. It would be great if we can make the conference tournament, that would be a big achievement.” The top six teams out of the nine-team conference qualify for the West Coast Conference Tournament May 21-24 in Las Vegas.
Joining Pacific as the 20th head coach in program history, Peters looks to bring his successful coaching philosophies and an uplifting culture to the team.
“Depth is key for having a winning team,” Peters said. “I believe we have enough depth on the mound to play the matchup game well with teams this season. We’ll look to play the short game as well. If we can execute well in big situations and get timely defense, we’ll have a good chance to win games.”
Familiar Territory
Peters is already familiar with Pacific and its baseball field as Delta played two seasons at Klein Family Field when its own home field was under renovation. He said the opportunity to coach on campus permanently was one he couldn’t pass up.
“Pacific has plenty of enticing pieces to be successful. I use the word ‘great’ a lot to describe it: great school, great education, great people, great facilities and a lot more great things to offer, so the vision is to get baseball back on track,” Peters said, adding that he loves calling Stockton home. “I live in a great neighborhood, I raised my kids here, the weather is great, the community is awesome, and my family has made a lot of close friends.
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Developing Talent and Sending Players to the Pros
Peters also mentored 19 All-Americans and of the 31 players who signed professional contracts, three are currently in Major League Baseball: Nick Avila with the San Francisco Giants, Robert Gasser with the Milwaukee Brewers and Dean Kremer with the Baltimore Orioles.
Peters is familiar with the friendly confines of Klein Family Field, coming from San Joaquin Delta Community College in Stockton where he spent the previous 17 seasons compiling a 386-167 record and placing 140 student-athletes at Division I institutions during that span. Peters built one of the top baseball programs in the country at Delta and guided the Mustangs to a pair of State Championships in 2011 and 2018, four state Runner-Ups in 2009, 2014, 2015 and 2024, eight Final Fours and 12 Elite Eight appearances.
Grant Kukuk Joins as Pitching Coach
In addition to the head coach, the Tigers have a new pitching coach in Grant Kukuk, who is excited to work with Peters at Pacific after his previous role at Utah Valley.
“It’s exciting to have a fresh start with a lot of guys coming in this season,” Kukuk said. “From a rotation and bullpen perspective, we’ll throw more strikes and get more outs. I’m ready to see how these arms will shape out throughout the season. I’m optimistic to work with coach Peters and see how we transform the baseball program together.
Pacific Hail!
The University of the Pacific has a long and distinguished set of traditions. “From o'er the rugged mountains standing high; From Out the broad low valleys, 'neath the sky; Our alma mater calls, We cannot fail, Our voices blend in praise, Pacific Hail- Pacific Hail! Long may her flaming torch give out its light; Long may her spirit guide us in the right; To her we pledge Out- hearts, We dare not fail; To her we raise our song, Pacific Hail!”
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