Cougar Baseball Adds Jake Valentine as Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator

PULLMAN, Wash. (June 23, 2022) – Jake Valentine has been named Cougar Baseball's assistant coach/recruiting coordinator, Washington State Head Coach Brian Green announced Thursday.
 
"We are fired up to announce Jake Valentine as our Recruiting Coordinator, third-base coach, and offensive coach," said Green. "Jake has established himself as one of the top recruiters on the west coast and did a tremendous job while at the University of Portland. He brought in three consecutive nationally-ranked classes, and was a huge part of elevating the Pilot program. He will not only impact our recruiting, but will have a major impact with our position players. We can't wait to get Jake, Andree, Brooks, and Colbie to Pullman to enter this special community. This is a tremendous addition to WSU Baseball in bringing in one of the rising stars in the assistant ranks on the entire west coast. Go Cougs!"
 
Valentine comes to WSU after working the previous seven seasons at the University of Portland where he served as an assistant coach (2016-17), served as the hitting coach and recruiting coordinator (2018-22) and was promoted to associate head coach prior the 2022 season.
 
In his seven seasons with the Pilots, 28 players earned All-West Coast Conference honors, two earned Freshman All-America accolades and four selected in the MLB Draft. As the recruiting coordinator, the Vancouver, Wash. native brought in three-straight nationally ranked recruiting classes. 
 
This past season, Valentine helped the Pilots finish second in the West Coast Conference, earn their first trip to the WCC Conference Tournament and tally the most wins (32) since 2010, including a program-record 17 conference wins. Valentine also saw starting pitcher Brett Gillis earn All-America honors and WCC Pitcher of the Year honors after leading the WCC in ERA (2.24), tying for second in strikeouts (115) and wins (9) and finished third in innings (84.1).
 
In 2021, Valentine helped recruit and coach nine Pilots who earned All-WCC honors led by shortstop Chad Stevens who led the league in hits and doubles and was selected in the 11th round of the MLB Draft while first baseman Sam Brown earn Freshman All-America honors.
 
After being named hitting coach in 2018 the results came immediately for the Pilots, as they set single-seasons records in home runs (52) and hit-by-pitches (70). The 2019 season also saw the offense hit 94 doubles and collect 265 RBI, both good enough for tenth all-time in program history.
 
Valentine previously worked at Santa Clara as an assistant coach. With the Broncos in 2014, Valentine was the infield coordinator, first base coach and the assistant hitting coach. He helped develop standout Jose Vizcaino, Jr., who claimed his second straight First Team All-WCC honor. Vizcaino, Jr., was also named the College Sports Madness WCC Field Player of the Year and he was selected in the seventh round of the MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants.
 
Prior to his stint at Santa Clara, Valentine spent two seasons (2012-14) as an assistant coach at UC Riverside. Valentine worked with outfielders and hitters during his first year and hitters during his second year with the Highlanders. He served as the team's first base coach both seasons. In addition to helping eight players get drafted, he helped UCR double its win total in his second season and the Highlanders led the Big West offensively in 2014.
 
Previously, Valentine coached at Stephen F. Austin State for two seasons (2010-12). The Lumberjacks posted a 63-56 overall record (36-30 in conference), won a school record 37 games in 2011 and made it to the Southland Conference Tournament twice. Valentine was the infield coordinator at SFA, the base running coach and the assistant hitting coach, and the team set program records in stolen bases (101, 2011), hits (647, 2011) and fielding percentage (.964, 2012). Bryson Myles set the 'Jacks single-season stolen base record with 53 in 2011, and Valentine helped develop Hunter Dozier, who was selected with the No. 8 overall pick by the Kansas City Royals in the 2013 MLB Draft.
 
Valentine earned a communications degree from Hawai'i Pacific University after spending two years playing for the Warriors. A team captain, Valentine set single-season marks in runs scored (58, 2008) and walks (52, 2008) and he helped the team claim at least 30 wins both years. Valentine began his college career playing at Tacoma Community College in Tacoma, Wash. 

A native of Vancouver, Wash., Valentine and his wife Andree have a son, Brooks, and a daughter, Colbie.