Coaches' Corner: Eric Newman

This summer we'll be featuring various coaches from our 23 teams in a Q&A format on UCSDTritons.com as well as our social media accounts.

Eric Newman enters his 12th season as head coach of the UC San Diego baseball program in 2023, the team’s third season competing in NCAA Division I.

A three-time ABCA/Diamond West Region Coach of the Year and two-time CCAA Coach of the Year, Newman has led the Tritons to three West Region trophies, three CCAA tournament titles and two CCAA regular-season titles. During his tenure, UC San Diego has earned six NCAA Championship berths at the Division II level. 

Most recently, Newman led the Tritons to a eighth-place finish in the Big West. Three Tritons earned All-Big West honors, including Marc Filia, Emiliano Gonzalez and Jalen Smith who were all named to the second team. Filia recently signed a free agent contract with the Cleveland Guardians.  

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What's an interesting fact about you that's not listed in your bio?

I am a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan.

Any exciting summer plans?

We are hoping to take the family to Lake Tahoe.

What's one skill/talent you wish you had or would like to learn?

I wish I could surf. My kids have all learned while living in SD but I have not figured it out yet.

What are three words you would use to describe your team culture?

Resilient, Fun, Competitive.

What are you looking forward to most with your squad next season?

Playing in the MLB first 4 tournament in AZ to open the year.

What's your favorite coaching memory?

Everett Lau walk off grand slam on Senior Day 2021 and the 2017, 2018, 2019 World Series teams.

What advice would you give to potential student-athletes who are going through the recruiting process this summer?

Find the right fit for you and try not to get caught up in the stuff that doesn't matter for your experience. Find a place where you feel like you belong and don't worry about the other stuff.

What stands out to you most when evaluating PSA's at camps or summer tournaments?

Talent and effort. One of those they have total control over.

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Check back on UCSDTritons.com all summer long for future editions of “Coaches' Corner" from other UC San Diego coaches. Previous “Coaches' Corner” entries are below.

• Colin Truex (Women's Rowing)
• Heidi VanDerveer (Women's Basketball)
• Liz LaPlante (Women's Tennis)
• Timmer Willing (Men's Tennis)
• Brad Kreutzkamp (Women's Water Polo)
• Nate Garcia (Cross Country)
• Kristin Jones (Women's Soccer)
• Juan Ignacio Calderon (Fencing)
• Fred Hanover (Men's Golf)

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About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program has begun a new era as a member of the Big West Conference in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38 have garnered prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 90 percent, the highest rate among public institutions in Division I or II. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.