PORTLAND, Ore. – Geoff Loomis has been named head coach of the University of Portland baseball program, Athletic Director Scott Leykam announced on Wednesday. Loomis, a member of the University of Portland Athletic Hall of Fame and one of the most decorated players in the history of the Pilot baseball program, compiled an impressive 327-197-2 (.624) record over the last 13 seasons as the head coach at Pacific Lutheran University.
“I am happy to announce that Geoff has accepted our offer to return to The Bluff and lead the University of Portland baseball program,” Leykam said. “In addition to being one of the top players in the history of the UP baseball program, he has a proven track record of success as a head coach. It was clear early in the search that Geoff is highly respected among his coaching peers at all levels and understands what it takes to build a successful college baseball program.”
“I want to thank Scott Leykam, Karen Peters, and Fr. Mark Poorman for putting their trust in me,” Loomis said. “I am humbled and honored to be returning to a university that provided me with so many opportunities as a young adult.”
Loomis led the Pacific Lutheran baseball program to new heights during his tenure, including the first two NCAA Baseball Championship appearances in school history and first Conference championships in 53 years. Loomis led the Lutes to 11 winning seasons in 13 years, including NCAA Regional appearances in 2007 and 2015 and Northwest Conference Championships in 2007 and 2009. His 2007 squad finished 35-9 overall, shattering the school’s previous record for wins in a season (26). Loomis would eclipse the 30-win mark three more times with 31 in 2009, 30 in 2010 and 32 in 2015.
In addition to coaching at Pacific Lutheran, Loomis served as head coach of the Aloha Knights for five summer seasons in the Pacific International League and led the team to the 2004 National Baseball Congress World Series title. Loomis, who compiled a 174-101 (.633) record in five seasons as head coach of the Knights, was named National Manager of the Year by the National Baseball Congress after the 2004 season. He coached the team to consecutive Pacific International League division titles, including a club record 54-14 mark in 2001.
Loomis also served as an assistant coach at George Fox University for five seasons (1996-00) and helped lead the Bruins to a 142-61 (.700) record with three Northwest Conference Championships.
Loomis had a Hall of Fame career as a player for the Pilots from 1990-92 and still holds the school’s career record for batting average (.372). He earned Pacific-10 North Division Player of the Year honors in 1992 and All-Pac-10 North recognition in 1991 and 1992. His 80 base hits and 22 doubles in 1992 still stand as school single-season records, while his 79 hits in 1991 is second best all-time. Loomis also owns the school record for single-game runs batted in with nine against Portland State in 1991. Portland’s 1991 squad was the last Pilot team to earn an NCAA Regional appearance and finished with 31 wins.
Loomis was selected in the 1992 Major League Baseball free draft by Oakland and played in the Athletics’ minor league system from 1992-93. He earned Oakland’s minor league affiliate Player of the Year award in 1993.
Following his playing career, Loomis returned to the University of Portland where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1994. He earned a Master’s degree in teaching from Pacific University (Ore.) in 1997, and was a business teacher at David Douglas High School in Portland, Ore., prior to accepting the head coaching position at Pacific Lutheran.
