San Jose Giants Announce 2015 Coaching Staff
January 9, 2015 - California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release
San Jose, CA- The San Jose Giants announced their 2015 coaching staff today with Russ Morman joining the club as Manager. Hitting Coach Lipso Nava and Pitching Coach Mike Couchee return to the staff along with Athletic Trainer Garrett Havig and Strength and Conditioning Coach Mike Lidge.
Morman, 52, enters his sixth year with the San Francisco Giants organization and second season as a manager. In 2014, he served as manager of Double-A Richmond and directed the Flying Squirrels to a 79-63 record and a West Division championship. Previously, Morman spent three years (2011-13) as hitting coach for Triple-A Fresno and one season (2010) as hitting coach for Richmond.
"Russ Morman has been a welcome addition to the San Francisco Giants minor league system since joining the organization in 2010," said Bobby Evans, San Francisco Giants Vice President and Assistant General Manager. "He has served us well as a hitting coach at Double-A and Triple-A, as well as most recently as our Double-A manager. We are excited to see him join San Jose for the 2015 season."
Prior to joining the Giants organization, Morman served as a manager and hitting coach in the Marlins and Red Sox farm systems. He spent two seasons as manager of the Kane County Cougars (Marlins Class-A affiliate) from 2000-01 directing both teams to the playoffs. In 2001 under Morman's leadership, Kane County posted an 88-50 record and claimed the Midwest League championship. Morman also served as manager of the Augusta GreenJackets (Red Sox Class-A affiliate) in 2003, four seasons as hitting coach for the Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox Double-A) from 2004-07 and two years as the hitting coach for the Pawtucket Red Sox (Red Sox Triple-A) during the 2008 and 2009 seasons.
Morman played 17 seasons of professional baseball from 1983 to 1999, spending parts of nine years in the major leagues with the White Sox (1986, 1988-89), Royals (1990-91) and Marlins (1994-97). The former first baseman/outfielder owned a .249 batting average with 10 home runs and 43 RBI's in 207 career major league games. Morman hit 207 home runs during his minor league career, including 180 at the Triple-A level. His final season in the big leagues came in 1997 when he was a member of Florida's World Championship team. Morman was originally a first round pick of the Chicago White Sox in the 1983 draft out of Wichita State University.
Nava begins his eighth year in the San Francisco organization and third season as San Jose's hitting coach. Previously, Nava spent two seasons as Augusta's manager from 2011-12 after a three-year stint as the GreenJackets' hitting coach. Under Nava's direction, Augusta's 2011 team won the second half South Division title and earned a spot in the playoffs.
Nava was originally a 14th round selection by the Seattle Mariners in the 1990 draft. The former infielder played seven years professionally with the Mariners (1990-94), Red Sox (1995) and Chicago Cubs (1997), advancing as high as Triple-A.
Couchee enters his third season as pitching coach for the San Jose Giants. 2015 marks Couchee's fourth season in the Giants organization, which began with a one-year stint in the same role with the Arizona Rookie League Giants. Under Couchee, San Jose's 2013 pitching staff led the California League in ERA (3.66) and strikeouts (1,282).
Couchee previously spent nine years in the San Diego Padres organization, including eight seasons as their Minor League Pitching Coordinator from 2004-11 and one year as pitching coach for Triple-A Portland in 2003. He also spent 10 seasons as the California/Anaheim Angels Minor League Pitching Coordinator from 1993-2002 after a five-year stint as a pitching coach in their organization. Couchee began his coaching career with Double-A Tulsa in the Texas farm system during the 1986-87 seasons.
Couchee was originally drafted by San Diego in 1980 and pitched in the major leagues with the Padres in 1983 (eight games, 0-1 record, 5.14 ERA).
Havig returns for his second season as San Jose's athletic trainer and his sixth year in the Giants organization. Prior to coming to San Jose, he served two seasons (2012-13) as athletic trainer for the Augusta GreenJackets after spending one year each in the same role with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (2011) and Arizona Rookie League Giants (2010).
Lidge returns for his second season with the San Jose Giants as strength and conditioning coach and his third year in the organization. Previously, Lidge spent one season as strength and conditioning coach with the Arizona Rookie League Giants in 2013.
Nathan Alleyne also returns for his fifth season as the San Jose Giants clubhouse manager.
First pitch for the 2015 San Jose Giants home opener will take place Thursday, April 16 against the Bakersfield Blaze. San Jose's 2015 season begins on Thursday, April 9 in Lancaster. The Giants will host games at Municipal Stadium on Mother's Day (May 10), Memorial Day (May 25), Father's Day (June 21) and Independence Day (July 4). For more information on the 2015 season and ticket packages please visit sjgiants.com or call (408) 297-1435.
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California League Stories from January 9, 2015
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