UC Riverside Announces Leadership Change in Baseball
5/21/2026 2:07:00 PM | Baseball
RIVERSIDE, Calif. - UC Riverside's Director of Athletics, Greg Paules, has announced a leadership change for Highlanders baseball. After several seasons leading the program, head baseball coach Justin Johnson will not be returning. A national search for the next leader of Highlanders baseball will begin immediately.
Coach Johnson started with the Highlanders' baseball program in 2014 as the program's director of baseball operations. He later became a volunteer assistant until he took over the program in the fall of 2020. Johnson had a hand in a seven-year streak with at least one Highlander selected in the MLB Draft, including Andre Granillo, who was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2021. Johnson presided over the college development of 17 eventual draft picks, including Mark Contreras (2017, 9th round, Minnesota), who made his MLB debut in 2022 with the Twins. Coach Johnson compiled an overall record of 81-231 during his tenure.Â
"UC Riverside is grateful for Coach Johnson's commitment to UC Riverside Baseball," said Paules. "We cannot thank Coach Johnson and his family enough for their efforts and wish him and his family well."
Coach Johnson started with the Highlanders' baseball program in 2014 as the program's director of baseball operations. He later became a volunteer assistant until he took over the program in the fall of 2020. Johnson had a hand in a seven-year streak with at least one Highlander selected in the MLB Draft, including Andre Granillo, who was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2021. Johnson presided over the college development of 17 eventual draft picks, including Mark Contreras (2017, 9th round, Minnesota), who made his MLB debut in 2022 with the Twins. Coach Johnson compiled an overall record of 81-231 during his tenure.Â
"UC Riverside is grateful for Coach Johnson's commitment to UC Riverside Baseball," said Paules. "We cannot thank Coach Johnson and his family enough for their efforts and wish him and his family well."
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