HAYWARD, Calif. — Cal State East Bay Director of Athletics Allison Kern has announced the hiring of Tony Schifano as the next head coach of the Pioneer baseball program.
Schifano arrives at Cal State East Bay with nearly two decades of collegiate coaching experience and a proven track record of building championship-caliber programs, developing student-athletes, and creating cultures rooted in accountability, competitiveness, and academic success. Throughout his 20-year coaching career, Schifano has helped develop more than 40 Major League Baseball Draft picks and professional players. Most recently, he served as an assistant coach at Cal State Fullerton after a highly successful 10-year tenure as the head coach at San Francisco State.
During his decade leading the Gators, Schifano transformed the program into one of the top contenders in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). In 2025, he was named CCAA Coach of the Year after guiding San Francisco State to a 33-23 overall record, a share of second place in the CCAA—the program's highest conference finish—and its second consecutive NCAA Regional appearance. The previous season, he led the Gators to a 34-win campaign, the most victories in the program's CCAA era, and the team's first NCAA Regional berth since 1995.
Before becoming a head coach, Schifano spent eight seasons at UC Davis, where he served as recruiting coordinator while overseeing the Aggies' offense and outfield development. During his tenure, UC Davis earned an NCAA Division I Regional appearance and produced multiple All-Big West selections. Earlier in his coaching career, he helped lead Los Gatos High School to 90 victories and a Central Coast Section Championship as head assistant coach.
As a player, Schifano was a three-time All-Conference performer at UC Davis before playing professionally in the Florida Marlins and Houston Astros organizations, reaching the Triple-A level. He also represented Team USA at the 2000 Panama Cup and was inducted into the UC Davis Baseball Hall of Fame in 2010.
"We are thrilled to welcome Tony Schifano to Cal State East Bay," said Director of Athletics Allison Kern. "Tony has built a reputation as one of the premier baseball coaches in the region through his ability to develop talent, recruit exceptional student-athletes, and create a championship culture. His experience in the CCAA, his passion for mentoring young men, and his vision for the future of Pioneer Baseball made him the clear choice to lead our program. We are excited for what's ahead under his leadership."
Schifano expressed his excitement about joining the Pioneer family and embracing the opportunity to build upon the program's foundation.
"I am incredibly honored to become the head baseball coach at Cal State East Bay," Schifano said. "I want to thank Allison Kern, the search committee, and university leadership for entrusting me with this opportunity. East Bay has everything needed to compete at a championship level—a great university, outstanding student-athletes, strong alumni support, and a vibrant community. I look forward to building a program that competes for championships while developing young men who will make a lasting impact on and off the field."
Schifano will immediately begin assembling his coaching staff, connecting with current student-athletes, and preparing for the upcoming season.
"Our vision is to create a first-class experience for every Pioneer student-athlete while competing for championships," Kern added. "Tony's leadership, integrity, and commitment to excellence align perfectly with the values of Cal State East Bay. We are confident he will elevate our baseball program and inspire our campus and community for years to come."
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