The Mariners Wednesday hired Andy McKay to serve as director of player development. McKay has worked in the Colorado Rockies minor league system since 2012 as a peak performance coordinator, or principal psychologist. He replaces Chris Gwynn, who resigned as farm director Oct. 8.
Prior to joining the Rockies, McKay was the head coach at Sacramento City College for 14 seasons (1999-2012). He compiled a record of 427-205-2 (.675) with eight league titles, and finished in the top three in California three times, including one state championship.
McKay worked as an assistant coach at Sacramento City College from 1994-1998, after spending one season as a player/coach at the University of Tampa in 1993. Tampa won the Division II national title in his only season there.
McKay has also coached in the summers in the Cape Cod League and the Northwoods League.
A Sacramento native, McKay is a graduate of Del Campo High School, Sacramento City College and Sacramento State University. He earned his MBA in organizational behavior studies from Sacramento State in 1996.
In addition to coaching at Sacramento CC, McKay taught classes in physical education and business.
New GM Jerry Dipoto is in the process of making a number of front-office hires. Dipoto did not renew the contracts of three special assistants to former GM Jack Zduriencik — Ted Simmons, Joe McIlvaine and Pete Vuckovich. In addition, Dipoto has also interviewed candidates to replace former manager Lloyd McClendon.
2 Comments
McKay has been described as the Rockies “mental coach.” Making sure players are mentally ready to play in MLB and for the team and its goals. Lot of ways what Lou wanted from players when he first joined the M’s. Lou would always say it takes more than just talent to make it in the big leagues. Seems as though McKay has had a lot of success as a college coach and that hopefully will translate into rebuilding the farm for the club. Interesting that Dipoto’s first hire is someone he has no connection with.