COACHING STAFF
Head Coach Mike Hankins
Mike Hankins has been selected to build the William Jessup University baseball program, which will open their inaugural season in 2015. Hankins brings over 25 years of coaching, playing and teaching experience to the Warriors.
After an outstanding career at the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA), Hankins was drafted by the New York Yankees. Hankins played five years with the New York Yankees reaching as high as triple A with the Yankees. Hankins was a two time all star and won 2 Championship rings during his professional experience.
Hankins currently teaches in the public schools and also serves as the Director of Player Development and Player Performance for Hank's Baseball Academy in Sacramento. In addition, he works closely with the Forest Lake Christian School baseball team in Auburn. He served as the head coach at Lincoln High School from 2001-2006 where he led the team to a league championship in 2003 and two playoff appearances. Hankins was named the 2003 Pioneer Valley League coach of the year. He holds a master’s degree in health, physical education and recreation.
Hankins is also a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and is certified through the IYCA as a Fitness Specialist, Speed and Agility Specialist, and Nutrition Specialist.
Director of Operations Jerry Manuel
Former Major League Baseball player and coach Jerry Manuel will serve as the Director of Baseball Operations for the Warriors.
A Rancho Cordova native, Manuel was selected in the first round (20th overall) of the 1972 Major League Baseball draft by the Detroit Tigers out of Cordova High School. He made his Major League debut with the Tigers in 1975. The second baseman also had stints with the Montreal Expos and San Diego Padres.
After retiring from baseball in 1984, Manuel held a variety of coaching positions. He was originally hired by the Chicago White Sox’s as a Northern California scout. In 1986, Manual began an eleven year stint in the Montreal Expos Organization. The Southern League Jacksonville Expos, the Expos Double-A affiliate, gave Manuel his first manager job. In his first year, Manuel led the team to an 84-60 record and was named the league’s Manager of the Year. Manuel eventually joined the Expos as their third base coach. In 1997, the Florida Marlins hired Manuel as bench coach under Jim Leyland. The Marlins went on to win the World Series.
The following season, the Chicago White Sox’s signed Manuel as manager. Manuel would spend the next six years with the White Sox’s, where he had over 500 wins. The White Sox’s had their best season in 2000 as they clinched the American League’s Central Division Championship with 95 wins and Manuel was named the American League’s Manager of the Year.
After being released by the White Sox’s, Manuel joined the New York Mets organization as the first base coach. He was elevated to the Mets Manager from 2008-2010 and won 204 games during that span.
Manuel has recently established The Jerry Manuel Foundation, a magnet charter school program located in Natomas, CA. that combines the principles of baseball with rigorous academic standards both on and off the baseball field. He also works as an analyst for the Major League Baseball Network. His nickname is the “Sage.”
He is married to his high school sweetheart, Renette, and wife of 38 years. They have four adult children; Angela, Jerry Jr., Anthony and Natalie, and five growing grandchildren.
Visit http://www.jerrymanuelfoundation.com/ for more information on the “The Jerry Manuel Foundation.”
