Jeremy Beard was named CSU Bakersfield’s head coach on July 25, 2017, becoming the third coach in program history. Beard enters his seventh season leading the Roadrunners baseball team in 2023-24, and has skippered CSUB to more than 100 wins, averaging over 20 wins per year in each of his full seasons in Bakersfield.
The transition to The Big West transpired at the forefront of the COVID pandemic in 2021, regardless, Beard led the `Runners to 17 conference victories and multiple series wins and a record of 20-23 overall (17-19 Big West). CSUB baseball’s relevance in The Big West was established early in Beard’s first two seasons in league play. The `Runners have series wins over six different conference foes: Cal State Fullerton, UC Davis, UC Riverside, Hawai’i, UC San Diego and Cal Poly.
Six student-athletes have been named to All-Big West Teams, highlighted by first-baseman Tyler Jorgensen’s First-Team nod. Evan Berkey, AJ Miller, and James Bell were selected to the league’s Second Team, while Aaron Charles and Jacen Roberson garnered Honorable Mention accolades. Two `Runners have earned Big West Player of the Week.
In just five seasons at CSUB, Beard has mentored 16 All-Conference selections, including First-Team selections Max Carter, Ryan Grotjohn, David Metzgar and Jorgensen. Carter was also named the Western Athletic Conference’s pitcher of the year during the 2017 season. On ten occasions `Runner student-athletes have been selected as the conference player or pitcher of the week.
Nine players have been drafted or signed professional contracts during Beard’s tenure in Bakersfield. Right-handed pitcher Darius Vines (Atlanta) became the highest-drafted player in school history when he was chosen in the seventh round of the 2019 draft, while shortstop Ryan Grotjohn (Arizona) is the program’s highest drafted position player, selected in the 10th round of the 2017 draft.
Over the course of his coaching career, 42 of Beard's players have been selected in the MLB Draft, with four former players reaching the big leagues - Darrel Ceciliani, Jr., Steve Ames, Tim Peterson, and Darius Vines - and four players selected in the top 10 rounds - Darrel Ceciliani, 4th round, Dylan Baker, 5th round, Darius Vines, 7th round and Ryan Grotjohn, 10th Round.
Beard has reshaped the academic standard and achievement in the classroom for the Runner baseball program. The team cumulative GPA has risen tremendously going from a 2.36 in fall 2019 to five straight semesters averaging above a 3.0 GPA as a team.
In addition to a team GPA of 3.16 in the Fall of 2021, 18 student-athletes were named to the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll, while 15 earned a spot on the university’s Dean’s List. In Spring of 2022, the Runners followed with a 3.05 GPA, 18 student-athletes were named to the Athletic Directors Honor Roll, while 8 were named to the university’s Dean List, Marking the two best back to back academic semesters in program history.
In his first year as the bench boss, Beard led the Roadrunners to a resurgence in 2017, as the team bounced back from a 19-37 record in the previous season to end the year 32-24. With a Regional Tournament bid on the line, the Roadrunners lost in the WAC Championship Game finishing the WAC Tournament as the Runner-Up. Seven players were named to All-Conference teams including the 'Pitcher of the Year' in Max Carter.
The `Runners won 21 games in 2018, including victories over ranked opponents from St. Mary’s and UNLV, and 24 in 2019 advancing to the WAC Championship Tournament in all three of Beard’s years in the conference. Catcher Jake Ortega earned Second-Team All-Conference honors in both seasons, while Tyler Jorgensen was also named to the WAC Second Team as a third baseman in 2019.
In 2020, Beard’s club posted series wins over Pac-12 opponent Washington State and the WCC’s San Francisco Dons while guiding the `Runners prior to the canceled campaign due to COVID.
Under the leadership of Marcus Brown, the current Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the university, Beard served on the Athletic Department Committee for DEI for five years promoting an inclusive environment within the CSUB Athletic Department.
A product of NCAA baseball powerhouse, Oregon State University, Beard immediately began a 24-year coaching career following his playing career at his alma mater, serving as an undergraduate assistant coach for the Beavers. After graduating from OSU in 1997, he was hired to become the Head Baseball Coach at Central Catholic High School (1998-2001) in Portland, Ore.
After three seasons as a Head High School Coach, Beard was hired by Columbia Basin College of the NWAC. While at CBC, Beard became the Associate Athletic Director / Associate Head Coach. During a nine-year stint with the Hawks from 2001 to 2010, Beard impacted the college by leading the fundraising, community relations, facility projects, academic advising, and game management for the athletic department. He was the lead on raising funds and major gifts in kind for facility projects such as a new soccer facility, four locker room building with concession’s, training room, umpire room, and other projects.
As a coach at CBC, Beard served many roles but was primarily the pitching coach, and recruiting coordinator helping the program earn a record of 309-84 (.786) including six conference championships. The Hawks qualified for the NWAC Championship tournament all nine seasons, winning the 2006 championship and finishing in the top five out of 28 teams eight times. The Hawks ranked among the nation's Top 25 teams six times and reached the nation's Top 10 list on three occasions. CBC hurlers won the conference pitching title all nine seasons, including one record-breaking year with an ERA of 1.36 and 470 strikeouts.
Making his mark as a top-tier recruiter at Columbia Basin College, Beard was called on to double as an Associate Scout for the Florida Marlins (2003-2004) and the Boston Red Sox (2004-2007) under Jon Booher.
In 2011, Beard joined the NJCAA at Western Nevada College where he served as the pitching coach for two seasons. Upon his arrival, the Wildcats thrived with the best back-to-back seasons in school history, winning 93 games and earning a trip to the JUCO World Series in Grand Junction, CO.
The Wildcats claimed the Scenic West Championship in record-breaking fashion in 2011 with a record of 37-3. In 2012, the team won the West Coast Region Championship. Over the two-year period, six players, including five pitchers, were selected in the MLB amateur draft, setting program records for earned run average (2.47), strikeouts (522), and opposing batting average (.209).
In 2014 and 2015, Beard made his way to the University of Portland where he served as the teams outfielders and assisted with hitters and offensive tactics. While at UP, Beard coached current big leaguer, Cooper Hummel of the Seattle Mariners.
Over many years recruiting and developing players and programs, Beard has established relationships with strong recruiting ties all over the country. Scholarship dollars go hand in hand with recruiting and since the current increase, the CSUB baseball recruiting arm got much longer the past two years under Beards leadership. Student athletes from 11 different states or countries represent the CSUB baseball roster in 2023. Including
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Beard graduated from Tigard High School in Tigard, Oregon. A two-sport athlete in football and baseball, Beard was a State Football Champion and played in one of the top high school baseball programs in the NW.
As a walk-on player at Oregon State University, Beard helped the Beavers claim the Pac-10 North Conference title in 1994 for OSU's legendary coach, Jack Riley. As a starting pitcher, he won nine games and was named the Bill Bonser Award winner, given to OSU’s Most Improved Player. A year later, Beard was selected as team captain for OSU Hall of Fame skipper, Pat Casey in Casey’s inaugural season.
Prior to his arrival at OSU, Beard was a walk-on at Linn Benton CC, where he served as the program's team captain for Head Coach Greg Hawk. A two-way player at LBCC, Beard helped the Roadrunners earn back-to-back tournament championship appearances in 1992 and 1993.
Beard earned his BS in education from Oregon State in 1996, and he completed his master's in education at the American Intercontinental University in 2004.
Jeremy and his wife Annie of 25 years have two sons: Logan and Wyatt.
What they are Saying about Jeremy Beard...
“The administration at CSUB got it right hiring Jeremy Beard. He has a lot of work ahead of him but with the proper support, he will do big things for the players, the university, and the community of Bakersfield. Couldn’t be more pleased and excited about the future of CSUB baseball.”
–Dusty Baker, Manager, Washington Nationals
“Jeremy Beard is one of the brightest young coaches in the nation. I am very happy that he got this opportunity. CSU Bakersfield made a great decision in hiring him. That program is in good hands and will see great success under his leadership.”
–Mark Machtolf, Head Coach, Gonzaga University
“I think Ziggy Siegfried has selected an outstanding person to lead the Roadrunner program in Jeremy Beard. Jeremy is a tireless worker, a person of integrity, and a very good baseball man. He will do well.”
–Gary Henderson, Head Coach, University of Kentucky
“Jeremy brings an unmatched enthusiasm and passion to the game of baseball on a daily basis. Having witnessed this on many levels, beginning as college teammates and continuing on to my observations now as a scout, I have seen the impact that his positive attitude and knowledge of the game can have on those around him. I look forward to watching the CSU Bakersfield players flourish and achieve their goals, both on and off the field under his guidance.”
–Mike Thurman, Former Oregon State Teammate, Retired MLB Player and current NY Yankees Scout
“Jeremy has been a long-time teacher and baseball coach. His keen people skills and work ethic will lay the foundation for CSUB Baseball. It is evident he has the tools to teach, mentor, and facilitate today’s student-athlete. He has prepared for this humbling opportunity and challenge his entire coaching career. Roadrunner Baseball is in great hands with the leadership he has to offer, and the future will be bright for years to come.”
–Dennis Rogers, Head Coach, Riverside City College
