NORTHRIDGE, Calif. – California State University, Northridge today announced the hire of six-time NCAA Tournament head coach Dave Serrano as the 10th head coach of the Matador baseball team.
One of the most experienced and respected coaches in college baseball, Serrano has spent 24 seasons coaching at the Division I level including 13 seasons as head coach. Serrano is one of 12 coaches all-time to lead two different schools to the College World Series. In his six NCAA Tournament trips as a head coach, he has led four teams to the NCAA Super Regionals. His overall head coaching record is 446-302-1.
“With his long history of success on the national stage, we are excited to have Coach Serrano lead the Matador baseball program,” CSUN Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Izzi said. “He has a wide breadth of experience in both the Big West and beyond, and we are confident that he will take the program to the next level. Dave will also provide a first-class experience for our baseball student-athletes.”
As a head coach and an assistant coach, Serrano has been a part of seven College World Series and 16 NCAA Tournaments.
“It’s an honor to be chosen as the new head coach for the CSUN Baseball program,” said Serrano. “I want to thank athletic director Mike Izzi and his administration for their trust in allowing me to lead Matador baseball now and into the future. I’m elated to coach, mentor and develop what I believe is a good core of returning players.”
Serrano has strong ties to Southern California and the Big West with successful stints at UC Irvine and Cal State Fullerton.
He began his head coaching career at UC Irvine in 2005 where he led the Anteaters to two NCAA Regionals in three years and the school’s first-ever trip to the College World Series in 2007. That year Serrano led UCI to a school-record 47 wins and was named Baseball America National Coach of the Year.
Serrano took over head coaching duties of Cal State Fullerton in 2008, leading the Titans to the postseason in each of his four seasons. His squad advanced to the Super Regionals in his first three years, highlighted by a College World Series trip in 2009. Named Big West Coach of the Year in 2010, Serrano coached the Titans to three conference championships.
Serrano also spent six seasons as head coach at Tennessee from 2012-17 where each of his recruiting classes was ranked in the top 20 nationally. The Volunteers posted three winning seasons under Serrano. Following his first year in Knoxville, Serrano served as head coach of the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.
Most recently, Serrano spent the 2018 season at West Virginia as the Mountaineers’ pitching coach.
From 1997-2004, Serrano enjoyed seven seasons as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Cal State Fullerton. The Titans posted an impressive 346-154-1 record with Serrano on the bench including four College World Series trips and seven NCAA Regional appearances. In the Titans’ national championship season in 2004, Serrano received Baseball America Assistant Coach of the Year honors.
Prior to Fullerton, Serrano was an assistant coach at Tennessee from 1995-96. He helped the Volunteers earn a pair of NCAA Tournament bids as well as the team’s first trip to Omaha in 44 seasons in 1995.
Serrano began his coaching career at Cerritos College in 1988. He completed a seven-year stint that saw the Falcons win a state title in 1989 and five conference championships. In his one year as head coach, Serrano was named South Coast Conference Coach of the Year in 1991.
Serrano graduated from Cerritos High School in 1982. He played at Cerritos College for two seasons where he earned Junior College All-America accolades. Serrano led the Falcons to a state title in 1985 as he compiled a 12-1 record on the mound. He played one season at Cal State Fullerton under head coach Augie Garrido in 1986.
“I’m anxious to start to get to know every individual associated with the program and those signed recruits who will be starting their first semester as Matadors,” added Serrano. “Being back in the Big West Conference puts me back in my element where I have familiarity with the state system and recruiting student-athletes in Southern California and the entire state.”
The CSUN Matadors compete in NCAA Division I in the Big West Conference and have appeared in the NCAA Tournament five times.
What They’re Saying About Coach Serrano
“Mike Izzi and his staff hit a grand slam with hiring Dave Serrano. Dave’s strong California ties make him a perfect fit for CSUN both on the field and in his recruiting abilities. Great job guys!”
- Adam Kennedy – CSUN, 1995-97 (World Series Champion, 14-Year MLB Veteran and Three-Time All-American)
“It’s great to see Dave Serrano back as a head baseball coach in the Big West Conference. I’m sure it will prove to be a great hire by CSUN. Dave’s actions will inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more! And they will all do it with class and integrity.”
- George Horton – Head coach – Cal State Fullerton (1996-2007), Oregon (2009-2019)
