Atlanta Braves Revamp Coaching Staff with Young, Dynamic Talent
The Atlanta Braves have significantly transformed their coaching staff, bringing in eight new members to a ten-person team, marking a notable shift towards younger, accomplished individuals. According to president of baseball operations and general manager Alex Anthopoulos, the focus during this overhaul was not the age of the coaches, but rather their experience and ability to foster a positive team environment.
Anthopoulos, alongside new manager Walt Weiss, emphasized the importance of hiring coaches with strong reputations and high character. The final additions to the coaching staff were announced on Monday and include Tommy Watkins as third-base coach, Dustin Garneau as catching coach, Darnell Coles as assistant hitting coach, and Tony Diaz as a major-league coach. Notably, six of the new hires are 45 years old or younger. This includes pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, who is 39, and Garneau, who is 38 and recently transitioned into coaching after an eight-season playing career.
Anthopoulos clarified that age was not a determining factor in their selections. “We didn’t care how old he was,” Anthopoulos said regarding Coles. “It just worked out that way.” He underscored that the priority was to find coaches with substantial big-league experience, regardless of their age.
In addition to the new hires, the Braves confirmed the return of hitting coach Tim Hyers and major-league coach Eddie Pérez from the previous staff. Pérez, who is entering his 16th season with the Braves and 37th overall in the organization, has garnered respect for his selflessness and team-first attitude. Anthopoulos praised Pérez’s contributions, noting his exceptional batting practice skills and overall positive influence within the team.
The Braves are not only focused on age but also on the collective experience and chemistry among the coaching staff. “The guys that we did work on — on the background, on the people, on teammates, on energy and all that kind of stuff,” Anthopoulos explained. This approach led to a coaching group that balances youthful energy with veteran wisdom.
The newly appointed coaching staff also includes J.P. Martinez as bullpen coach, who previously served as pitching coach for the San Francisco Giants, and Tony Mansolino, the new bench coach who successfully guided a struggling Baltimore Orioles team to a respectable finish last season. Hefner returns to the Braves after six seasons with the New York Mets, where he developed a strong reputation.
The Braves are coming off a challenging season that saw their streak of seven consecutive playoff appearances come to an end in 2025. As they aim to reclaim their dominance in the National League East, the new coaching staff will be instrumental in facilitating this transition. Anthopoulos and Weiss are confident that their selections will foster a culture of success and camaraderie, essential for achieving their goals.
Reflecting on the process of assembling the staff, Anthopoulos acknowledged that it was a collaborative effort with Weiss. “None of these get done without Walt. This isn’t me. I’m not doing these on my own,” he stated. The Braves were not initially set on overhauling their coaching staff, but the opportunity to bring in the right individuals led to a significant transformation. Out of ten coaches, only two have retained their positions, with the rest being new hires.
As the Braves prepare for the upcoming season, the excitement surrounding the coaching changes is palpable. With a younger, vibrant coaching staff in place, the organization is poised to reestablish itself as a competitive force in Major League Baseball.
