Gregg Wallis' Inaugural Baseball Staff Finalized
10/1/2026 8:30:00 AM | Baseball
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – UC Riverside's Head Baseball Coach, Gregg Wallis, announced his coaching staff for the 2026-27 season. Three new faces and one familiar face will round out Wallis' first staff in the IE.
"I am excited to announce the coaching staff that will lead this program into a new era," said Wallis.
"They are all filled with passion for their craft and for the holistic development of our student-athletes," he added. "I have no doubt that we have brought the next generation of impact college baseball coaches to UC Riverside and can't wait to get to work with them as we prepare to start our fall training camp."
Kade Mechals, Pitching coach
Mechals was a standout right-handed pitcher at Western Oregon, Skagit Valley College, and Grand Canyon University. At GCU, he emerged as one of the WAC's top pitchers, posting a 12-2 record with a 2.19 ERA and 118 strikeouts over 107 innings. His success earned him First-Team All-WAC honors in 2019 and selection by the Chicago White Sox in the fourth round (112th overall) of the 2020 MLB Draft. Following his professional career, Mechals began coaching at Phoenix College before returning to Grand Canyon University.
"Kade Mechals is one of the hardest working pitchers I've ever coached. His competitiveness and determination will be a tremendous asset in his ability to lead and develop the UC Riverside pitching staff. He was a winning player and that will not change as a coach!"
-Rich Dorman, University of Florida, Pitching Coach
"Kade is one of the fiercest competitors I've had the opportunity to coach. He had a toughness about him and genuinely loved to compete. He showed up everyday with the intent to get better and took tremendous pride in his preparation. I'm excited to watch him bring that same competitive spirit to the UC Riverside pitching staff."
-Blake Hawkesworth, Oklahoma State University, Pitching Coach
Chaneng Varela, Infield coach/Recruiting Coordinator
Varela returns to UC Riverside after spending four seasons on Justin Johnson's staff. He started at UC Riverside as a volunteer assistant coach in the 2023 season and was elevated to an assistant coach ahead of the 2026 campaign. Varela played at Orange Coast College where he was part of back-to-back 3C2A state title teams in 2014 and 2015. He then played two seasons at Lamar, where he was named to the 2016 Southland Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll.
"I had the privilege to get to know and coach with Chaneng Varela for a brief time when we worked together at Orange Coast College following the tragedy with coach Altobelli and part of his family. Chaneng impressed me with his energy, quest for knowledge, ability to connect with players, and coaching instincts. I think coach Wallis, Chaneng, and staff will make a dynamic coaching team."
-George Horton, legendary college baseball coach at Cal State Fullerton/Oregon
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Chris Jimenez, Catching Coach/Assistant Recruiting Coordinator
Jimenez joins the UC Riverside baseball program after spending a year at Yavapai College in Prescott, Ariz. In 2025 he coached at the University of Hawai'i where he helped guide the Rainbow Warriors to a 35-win season and a berth in the Big West Conference Tournament. He got his start in coaching after a successful catching career at Long Beach State where he was a four-year starter appearing in 147 games with 116 starts and earned All-Big West Honors in 2018 and 2019. In 2018, he led the team with 32 RBIs, becoming the first Dirtbags' freshman to drive in 30 or more runs since Troy Tulowitzki in 2003. Â
"An exceptional hire for UCR! I had the privilege of coaching Chris Jimenez, he was a super competitor and tremendous leader and now has transitioned to being an outstanding coach. Chris will bring tons of energy, enthusiasm, and knowledge as Coach Wallis builds the program."
-Eric Valenzuela, Head Coach, St. Mary's College
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Chad De La Guerra, Director of Ops/Assistant Hitting Coach
Chad De La Guerra brings a wealth of experience to the staff, having competed at the highest levels of college. He prepped at Pioneer Valley High School in Santa Maria, Calif., and moved on to College of the Canyons. He was a 2013 Southern California All-American Team and All-Western State Conference South Division First Team selection. He led the team with 40 games played, 193 plate appearances, 164 at-bats, and 27 runs in conference games. From there he moved on to Grand Canyon where he played for two seasons. He posted a career average of .358. He recorded 152 hits for the Antelopes and drove in 100 runs while scoring 94. In 2015 the Boston Red Sox selected De La Guerra in the 17th round of the MLB Draft.
"Gregg Wallis' coaching staff is getting stronger with the addition of Chad De La Guerra! Chad is one of the best pure hitters I have ever coached and bringing him on to assist with hitting is a great hire. Chad will bring a fundamental and competitive mindset to the UCR offense. Congratulations to Chad De La Guerra and Coach Wallis."
-Andy Stankiewicz, Head Coach, University of Southern California
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"I am excited to announce the coaching staff that will lead this program into a new era," said Wallis.
"They are all filled with passion for their craft and for the holistic development of our student-athletes," he added. "I have no doubt that we have brought the next generation of impact college baseball coaches to UC Riverside and can't wait to get to work with them as we prepare to start our fall training camp."
Kade Mechals, Pitching coach
Mechals was a standout right-handed pitcher at Western Oregon, Skagit Valley College, and Grand Canyon University. At GCU, he emerged as one of the WAC's top pitchers, posting a 12-2 record with a 2.19 ERA and 118 strikeouts over 107 innings. His success earned him First-Team All-WAC honors in 2019 and selection by the Chicago White Sox in the fourth round (112th overall) of the 2020 MLB Draft. Following his professional career, Mechals began coaching at Phoenix College before returning to Grand Canyon University.
"Kade Mechals is one of the hardest working pitchers I've ever coached. His competitiveness and determination will be a tremendous asset in his ability to lead and develop the UC Riverside pitching staff. He was a winning player and that will not change as a coach!"
-Rich Dorman, University of Florida, Pitching Coach
"Kade is one of the fiercest competitors I've had the opportunity to coach. He had a toughness about him and genuinely loved to compete. He showed up everyday with the intent to get better and took tremendous pride in his preparation. I'm excited to watch him bring that same competitive spirit to the UC Riverside pitching staff."
-Blake Hawkesworth, Oklahoma State University, Pitching Coach
Chaneng Varela, Infield coach/Recruiting Coordinator
Varela returns to UC Riverside after spending four seasons on Justin Johnson's staff. He started at UC Riverside as a volunteer assistant coach in the 2023 season and was elevated to an assistant coach ahead of the 2026 campaign. Varela played at Orange Coast College where he was part of back-to-back 3C2A state title teams in 2014 and 2015. He then played two seasons at Lamar, where he was named to the 2016 Southland Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll.
"I had the privilege to get to know and coach with Chaneng Varela for a brief time when we worked together at Orange Coast College following the tragedy with coach Altobelli and part of his family. Chaneng impressed me with his energy, quest for knowledge, ability to connect with players, and coaching instincts. I think coach Wallis, Chaneng, and staff will make a dynamic coaching team."
-George Horton, legendary college baseball coach at Cal State Fullerton/Oregon
Â
Chris Jimenez, Catching Coach/Assistant Recruiting Coordinator
Jimenez joins the UC Riverside baseball program after spending a year at Yavapai College in Prescott, Ariz. In 2025 he coached at the University of Hawai'i where he helped guide the Rainbow Warriors to a 35-win season and a berth in the Big West Conference Tournament. He got his start in coaching after a successful catching career at Long Beach State where he was a four-year starter appearing in 147 games with 116 starts and earned All-Big West Honors in 2018 and 2019. In 2018, he led the team with 32 RBIs, becoming the first Dirtbags' freshman to drive in 30 or more runs since Troy Tulowitzki in 2003. Â
"An exceptional hire for UCR! I had the privilege of coaching Chris Jimenez, he was a super competitor and tremendous leader and now has transitioned to being an outstanding coach. Chris will bring tons of energy, enthusiasm, and knowledge as Coach Wallis builds the program."
-Eric Valenzuela, Head Coach, St. Mary's College
Â
Chad De La Guerra, Director of Ops/Assistant Hitting Coach
Chad De La Guerra brings a wealth of experience to the staff, having competed at the highest levels of college. He prepped at Pioneer Valley High School in Santa Maria, Calif., and moved on to College of the Canyons. He was a 2013 Southern California All-American Team and All-Western State Conference South Division First Team selection. He led the team with 40 games played, 193 plate appearances, 164 at-bats, and 27 runs in conference games. From there he moved on to Grand Canyon where he played for two seasons. He posted a career average of .358. He recorded 152 hits for the Antelopes and drove in 100 runs while scoring 94. In 2015 the Boston Red Sox selected De La Guerra in the 17th round of the MLB Draft.
"Gregg Wallis' coaching staff is getting stronger with the addition of Chad De La Guerra! Chad is one of the best pure hitters I have ever coached and bringing him on to assist with hitting is a great hire. Chad will bring a fundamental and competitive mindset to the UCR offense. Congratulations to Chad De La Guerra and Coach Wallis."
-Andy Stankiewicz, Head Coach, University of Southern California
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