Assistant Coaches
Todd Guilliams
Assistant Coach
Todd Guilliams enters his fifth season at Utah in 2026, coming off four campaigns that have ranked among the best for the Utes’ offense as a Power Conference program. With an established reputation of coaching outstanding hitters, Guilliams came to Utah after helping teams to league-leading offensive production at his last three stops in Valdosta State, Western Carolina and Kentucky.
An upward year-to-year trajectory has been the theme with Guilliams mentoring the Utah hitters, as the team has improved annually in virtually every offensive category under his direction. Guilliams has been on the coaching staff of four of the top five hitting Utah teams since 2012 and the each of the top four slugging teams in that same timespan. The program’s 172 home runs during his time with the Utes are the most for a four-year stretch since 2012 as well.
At Utah Guilliams has mentored players totaling 11 postseason conference awards, while shortstop Core Jackson (New York Yankees) was a fifth-round MLB Draft selection in 2025 and outfielder Kai Roberts went to San Diego in the seventh round of the 2024 draft.
The 2025 Utes ranked fifth in the Big 12 with a .294 team batting average and slugged .438 on the year; both tallies were the best in the Power Conference history of the program. Utah also made incredible defensive strides, racking up a program-record .975 fielding percentage. The infield in particular locked down throughout the season, with that group ranking top-10 nationally for infield fielding percentage (.981) and top-five for fewest errors (17). In conference play, the team ranked second in doubles (67) and tied for most times hit by pitch (50).
Jackson headlined a 2025 lineup that featured five .300 or better hitters—the most since 2011. Jackson, a first-team All-Big 12 selection, placed in the upper tier of the league for batting average (fourth), doubles (fifth) and runs scored per game (first). He finished his two seasons at Utah with a .363 batting average and a top-10 ranking for three career categories in the program record book. His 12 home runs during the 2025 season marked the fourth straight year a Utah player hit double-digit homers.
Center fielder Santino Panaro and Tyler Quinn were among the four toughest hitters to strike out in the league as Utah totaled the second-fewest K’s of any Big 12 offense in 2025. Quinn, meanwhile, raised his batting average nearly 100 points from the 2024 season, and cut down his strikeout total by 11 even in earning 40 more at bats.
The Utes averaged seven runs per game in the 2024 campaign, the program’s highest scoring production since 2006 and the third straight season that the team’s runs per game increased from the year before. The offense clicked all throughout the lineup, setting Power Conference-era records in runs scored (385), hits (555), total bases (841), slugging percentage (.437) and OBP (.385).
Roberts and Jackson each landed Pac-12 All-Conference laurels while TJ Clarkson was named Honorable Mention. Clarkson became the first Utah Ute in the Power Conference era to hit double-digit home runs in three straight seasons, finishing his career with 38 big flies. Roberts reset both the single-season and career program records for stolen bases as Utah swiped 88 bags as a team—the most since 1997. It led the Pac-12 and was 29 more than the next-closest team.
Utah’s offense continued to rise in 2023 in averaging 6.7 runs per game and belting out 533 hits, 48 home runs, 799 total bases, 241 walks and totaling a .382 on-base percentage. The club led the Pac-12 in sac bunts (47), ranked second in times hit by pitch (79) and stole the fourth-most bases (62). As a team, the Utes doubled their home run output in the two years since Guilliams’ arrival, going from 24 homers as in 2021 to 48 in 2023.
All-conference first baseman Jayden Kiernan finished with a .402 batting average, just two points from the league title and the first .400 clip by a Utah hitter in a full season since 2011. Kiernan highlighted the year in conference play with a .407 average and 48 hits, ranking second in both categories. He finished the regular season as the Pac-12’s toughest player to strike out, averaging just one strikeout per 11.5 at bats.
In 2022, Guilliams’ first season, Utah combined for 112 doubles and a .973 fielding percentage—both the top marks for the team since joining the league. Second baseman Landon Frei had a standout freshman season and catcher Davis Cop came on the scene en route to Pac-12 All-Conference honors for both. Frei (.330) was one of two rookies in the league to lead their team in hitting and finished the regular season as the fifth-toughest freshman to strikeout nationally. Cop was one of the most consistent bats in conference play with a .367 clip. Defensively, first baseman Alex Baeza won Utah’s first-ever ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove, the fourth player to win the award under Guilliams’ tutelage.
Prior to Utah
In a coaching career that spans five different decades, Guilliams has built a reputation of building offenses that enjoyed both teamwide and individual success. He has coached under three skippers (including Gary Henderson) who have been named national coach of the year and mentored four players who went on to earn similar accolades after entering the realm of coaching.
Before coming to Salt Lake City, Guilliams worked similar magic at Kentucky. UK was a dominant offensive club under Guilliams' direction, as the Wildcats led the SEC in a total of 12 offensive statistical categories, while also producing five All-Americans in as many seasons in Lexington.
The 2017 Wildcats ballclub finished 43-23 and reached the NCAA Super Regionals for the first time in program history. It capped a remarkable run for UK, which started the season just 2-5 before turning the tables and playing for the SEC Regular Season Championship on the final day of the regular season. The team reached the top five in the national polls, led the SEC in runs scored, and won three elimination games in two days to clinch its Regional and advance to Supers.
As the offense hummed along, every player in UK's everyday lineup had career years. Riley Mahan, Tristan Pompey and Evan White each were named All-Americans and were voted first- or second-team All-SEC. Catcher Troy Squires also earned second-team All-SEC, while Zach Reks hit .352 for the season. Mahan, Pompey and White all ranked among the nation's elite hitters, with Pompey ranking second in hits and fifth in runs nationally.
Guilliams went to Kentucky after one season at Western Carolina, where he was the hitting coach and ran the offense, in addition to coaching the catchers. In 2016, the WCU offense led the SoCon in several categories and ranked in the nation's top 25 in batting average (.304, 24th in the nation), runs scored (453 runs, 18th) and home runs (72 HR, ninth).
Guilliams spent 2008-15 at Division II Valdosta State, where he was part of more than 250 wins, three NCAA Regional appearances and two Gulf South Conference championships during his eight seasons there.
During his time at Valdosta State, Guilliams was the team's hitting coach, worked with the catchers and was VSU's Coordinator of Academic Services. He also shared recruiting duties with his brother, head coach Greg Guilliams. Valdosta State posted a pair of 43-win seasons during Guilliams' time on staff, doing so in 2009 and 2010. In addition to those two seasons, the Blazers made the NCAA Tournament in 2013 after their second GSC title. With Guilliams on staff, four VSU teams (2008, ’09, ’10, ’13) finished in the top-25 national polls.
One of the banner seasons for Guilliams came in 2009 as the team led the nation with a school-record 113 home runs -- the fourth-most in NCAA Division II history, and the most by any D2 ballclub since 1998. The Blazers finished eighth nationally with 578 runs scored and were 11th with a .561 slugging percentage. As a squad, Guilliams guided the Valdosta State batters to a .332 batting average, the highest mark by the Blazers since 1986. Guilliams' approach of plate discipline was also manifested as VSU drew 276 walks on the year, ninth-best in the nation. Overall, the 2009 Valdosta State squad ranked in the top 50, out of 228 schools, in 14 of the 15 offensive categories tracked by the NCAA.
Guilliams' ability to teach the offensive side of the ball also was evident in the personal performance of a pair of Blazers, Brandon Decker and Chase Blackwood, who hit 22 home runs on the year, falling just one short of the school record. Four additional Blazers hit double-digit home runs, giving the 2009 squad a school-record six to accomplish the feat in a single season, while Decker and Matt Costello both hit over .400 on the year.
Prior to making the move to Valdosta, Guilliams and his brother built a powerhouse at Embry-Riddle in Daytona Beach, Florida. Together they won 622 games against just 228 losses. In 15 years together, the program made six NAIA World Series appearances and topped the national polls for several weeks during 1999, 2002, ’04 and ’05. Under his watch, Embry-Riddle was the winningest college baseball program in Florida from 1997-2007 with an .805 winning percentage.
Todd served as the hitting, catching and outfield instructor for the program, which produced 44 NAIA All-America selections. He was also responsible for calling pitches and serving as the program's strength and conditioning coach while filling the role as Embry-Riddle's athletic fields manager for the school's baseball, track and field and soccer complex. Additionally, he spent time as the school's sports information director as well as the academic enhancement coordinator.
He briefly stepped away from Embry-Riddle for the 2000 season, helping Dallas Baptist to a runner-up finish at the NAIA World Series.
Personal
A 1988 graduate of Eastern Kentucky, earning a degree in sport supervision, Guilliams was an Ohio Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete and twice won the Turkey Hughes Scholarship. He was the Colonels' team captain in 1988 while earning Dean's List recognition. He went on to earn his master's degree in physical education in 1990 while serving as an assistant at his alma mater.
Off the field, Guilliams authored a book entitled High-Scoring Baseball: The Complete Guide to Run Production. He has also been a featured speaker numerous times, including at the ABCA national convention and, most recently, at the Best Ever Coaches Clinic in Toronto in January, 2016.
Guilliams and his wife, Julie, have been married 33 years and have three children, Casey, Grace and Wyatt. They are also proud grandparents to Harper and Landon, the children of Casey Guilliams and his wife, Claire.
Todd Guilliams • Coaching History
2022-present • Utah • Assistant Coach
2017-21 • Kentucky • Assistant Coach
2016 • Western Carolina • Assistant Coach
2008-15 • Valdosta State • Assistant Coach
2001-07 • Embry-Riddle • Assistant Coach
2000 • Dallas Baptist • Assistant Coach
1992-99 • Embry-Riddle • Assistant Coach
1990 • Eastern Kentucky • Volunteer Assistant
1988-89 • Eastern Kentucky • Graduate Assistant
Gold Glovers Mentored by Guilliams
2022 • Alex Baeza – 1B – Utah
2022 • Ryan Ritter – SS – Kentucky
2017 • Evan White – 1B – Kentucky
2008 • Chase Blackwood – C – Valdosta State
2000 • Eric Darjean – CF – Dallas Baptist
Catchers to Sign with MLB Organizations
2021 - Coltyn Kessler – Miami Marlins
2018 – Kole Cottam – Boston Red Sox
2018 – Troy Squires – Toronto Blue Jays
2015 - Bryant Hayman – Minnesota Twins
2008 – Chase Blackwood – Chicago White Sox
2005 – Richie Cormier – Milwaukee Brewers
2004 – Mickey Kropf – Detroit Tigers
2002 – Justin Smith – Texas Rangers
1997 – Jared Mathis – Milwaukee Brewers
1994 - Chuck Antczak – Chicago White Sox
Mike Brown
Assistant Coach / Recruiting Coordinator
Listed among D1Baseball.com’s Top 100 Assistant Coaches in 2023, Mike Brown will begin his fifth season at Utah in 2026. Brown serves as Utah’s third base coach and recruiting coordinator, as well as working with the outfielders and assisting with hitting & baserunning.
With a renowned reputation for finding talent, his past newcomers have appeared on Collegiate Baseball Newspaper’s annual lists of the top recruiting classes in the country. In his 13 years of collegiate coaching, Brown has helped produce top talent that has advanced to the professional level. Brown has had 93 players drafted, including 36 in the top 10 rounds. Twenty-two of those players have reached the Major League level.
His players at Utah have totaled 10 postseason conference awards and two ABCA All-Region selections. Shortstop Core Jackson (New York Yankees) and outfielder Kai Roberts (San Diego) signed professional contracts after being drafted; Jackson went to the Yankees in the fifth round of the 2025 MLB Draft, while Roberts was a seventh-round selection in 2024.
Brown guided transitions to the outfield for Roberts as well as TJ Clarkson, after the pair had spent much of the 2021 season in the corner infield. In the three seasons that followed, Roberts earned Pac-12 All-Conference (2024) while Clarkson was a two-time Pac-12 Honorable Mention pick (2023, ’24).
The 2025 squad featured a lineup with five .300-or-better hitters, the most for Utah since 2006. The Utes had a team batting average of .294, the highest for the program since 2012. Jackson, a first-team All-Big 12 selection, placed in the upper tier of the league for batting average (fourth), doubles (fifth) and runs scored per game (first). He finished his two seasons at Utah with a .363 batting average and a top-10 ranking for three career categories in the program record book.
Defensively, the club made significant strides and posted a .975 fielding percentage with the fewest errors (43) in the Big 12 Conference. The outfield combined for five assists and Santino Panaro went error-free in center field, wowing Utah fans with his range and highlight-worthy plays among his 133 putouts.
The Utes averaged seven runs per game during the 2024 campaign, the highest since 2006 and third straight season that the team’s runs per game increased from the year before. It all unfolded while the Utes struck out the least of any offense in the Pac-12 for the second straight year.
Roberts raised his batting average nearly 100 points from the prior year (to .356) and reset Utah’s career and single-season records for stolen bases. Clarkson, meanwhile, became the first Utah Ute in the Power Conference era to hit double-digit home runs in three straight seasons. Jackson, another All-Conference selection, was a catalyst for the Utah offense with a team-leading .363 batting average and ranked second in the Pac-12 with a .398 clip in conference play.
Led in part by Clarkson and Jayden Kiernan, the Utes enjoyed one of the best offensive seasons in the Pac-12 era in 2023. Both were among four Pac-12 All-Conference honorees for the club, highlighted by Kiernan’s .402 batting average—ranking second in the Pac-12 and the first .400 clip by a Ute since 2011. Clarkson once again brought the power with a team-best 14 home runs—following up on a 2022 campaign that saw him belt 11 homers.
The 2023 Utes set what were then-Pac-12 era team records in runs scored per game (6.7), total hits (533), home runs (48), total bases (799), walks (241) and on-base percentage (.382). Utah ranked fourth in the Pac-12 with 62 stolen bases.
Alex Baeza, whom Brown had previously coached at Hawaii, won Utah’s first-ever ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove after starring at first base in 2022. Baeza was also named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team that year.
Prior to Utah
Brown came to Salt Lake City after spending 2019-21 with the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors as associate head coach. Like Brown’s previous stops, he led the UH’s offense to new heights and made an immediate impact his first season by coaching four position players to All-Big West accolades – including the 2019 Big West Freshman Hitter of the Year in Scotty Scott, the first in UH history since joining the BWC.
In 2021, Brown saw Dustin Demeter named National Player of the Week by two different publications after driving in 14 runs with three homers and 11 total hits in UH’s series win over Cal State Fullerton. Kole Kaler also became the sixth Rainbow Warrior to hit for the cycle when he accomplished the feat against UC Riverside. Demeter finished the year on the All-Big West First-Team and as the league’s top designated hitter while Adam Fogel earned second-team honors.
In a COVID-19 shortened season of 2020, the Rainbow Warriors led the league in doubles (32) and triples (8) while ranking in the top-five nationally in sacrifice bunts (4th) and sacrifice flies (3rd). Brown also helped Kaler lead the team in batting average (.407) that year and was named the 29th best shortstop of 2020 after starting the year unranked.
Prior to joining the Rainbow Warriors, Brown spent a pair of seasons with Mississippi State where he reunited with Gary Henderson. His first year in Starkville saw the Bulldogs advance to the NCAA Super Regionals and compiled a 40-27 overall mark. Then with Henderson at the helm and Brown by his side, Hail State went on to have a storybook 2018 campaign and advanced to the College World Series semifinals. MSU’s run saw the Bulldogs win four-straight in the Tallahassee Regional before taking down Vanderbilt in three games to earn a spot in Omaha. Mississippi State took advantage of its opportunity and won its first two games at the MCWS before falling to the eventual champions, Oregon State.
Brown came to Starkville via New Mexico State, where he spent two seasons as the Aggies' assistant coach. Brown helped oversee NMSU’s hitters, hitting system and coached third base, while also overseeing the squad’s outfield. Brown was an instrumental part in New Mexico State making the biggest turnaround in college baseball in 2016, with the Aggies posting a 23-win improvement to finish 34-23.
Under Brown's leadership, the Aggies' offense made impressive strides from 2015 and dominated the Western Athletic Conference, leading the way in a multitude of categories. In total, NMSU led the WAC in batting (.297), slugging percentage (.445), runs (371), RBIs (344), doubles (112), home runs (49), HBPs (65) and total bases (887).
Brown's leadership also helped provide one of the best individual seasons in New Mexico State history, as junior outfielder Daniel Johnson became the first Aggie since 2009 to earn All-American honors. Along with being named to the ABCA/Rawlings All-American Third Team, Johnson also garnered WAC Player of the Year honors, All-WAC Team laurels and was listed to the ABCA/Rawlings First Team All-Region.
Along with Johnson, the 2016 season saw the Aggies have the first All-American pitcher in school history, as Kyle Bradish was named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American. In total, Brown and New Mexico State had two All-Americans, one conference player of the year and five total All-WAC honorees.
Brown spent 2013 and ‘14 at Kentucky under Gary Henderson, assisting in practice management, planning and coordination, while also working directly with the Wildcat hitters. In his two seasons as a graduate assistant at UK, Brown helped direct the Wildcats to the semifinals of the SEC Tournament and an NCAA Regional Finals appearance. He served as first-base coach for six Southeastern Conference games.
In his two seasons, Brown helped develop one of the top players in collegiate baseball history in A.J. Reed. Reed was a dominant double threat, sweeping the national awards while leading the NCAA in home runs, slugging percentage and OPS and pacing the rigorous SEC in wins on the mound. Reed's success led him to be named the unanimous national player of the year and the highest-drafted player under Brown (second round, Houston Astros, 2014).
He was the manager for the Fulton Railroaders Summer Baseball Club in the Ohio Valley League during the summer of 2014. Brown managed the team to a 22-18 record, finishing second place in the league. The Railroaders capped the year on a high note, winning 12 of their last 14 games, losing their final two in the playoffs. The Railroaders led the Ohio Valley League in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, total hits and walks under Brown's management.
The summer prior, Brown spent time with the Amsterdam Mohawks in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL). As an assistant coach, he helped coordinate the offense while also helping on the defensive side. The squad won the PGCBL Championship with a record of 25-18, while winning 20 of its last 22 games.
He also had a three-year stint as the director of baseball at KOA Sports. There, he coached the 16-and-under and the 18-and-under showcase teams. While expanding the KOA Sports name, Brown held after-school clinics and served as a mentor to kids both on and off the field.
Playing Career
Brown played the 2006-07 seasons at Kentucky, then immediately joined the program as a student assistant coach. In his first year on staff, UK won a school-record 44 games and advanced to the championship game of the 2008 NCAA Ann Arbor Regional. Brown also helped develop two All-American outfielders in Sawyer Carroll and Collin Cowgill.
As a player, Brown led the Wildcats to a pair of historic seasons and finished with his name all over the Wildcats' record book. After helping UK to the 2006 SEC Championship and hosting an NCAA Regional in his first season as a reserve utility man, Brown emerged as a star for SEC Coach of the Year John Cohen's 2007 squad. Brown led the club with a .369 average (eighth in the SEC) and 68 runs. Brown's 1.28 average runs scored per game earned him a ninth-place finish in the NCAA that season as well. He finished 2007 ranked seventh in single-season history in runs, ninth in on-base percentage (.486), fourth in sacrifice bunts (12) and ninth in hit by pitches (18).
He played for Cuesta College before transferring to UK, where he was the only player in school history with a career average over .400 after earning a scorching .409 clip. In 2005, Brown was awarded the Western State Conference Player of the Year and was named a California Junior College Baseball All-American. Brown was also recognized for being the Cuesta Athlete of the Year in 2005.
Personal
A California native, Brown was born in Woodland and raised in Davis. Brown is the son of Scott and Sandra Brown, with an older brother, Rich. Brown and his wife, Sarah, have two daughters, Riki and Anna.
Brown earned his bachelor’s degree from Kentucky in agricultural academics (2008) and later received his master’s of education in sports management and leadership in June 2014.
Mike Brown • Coaching History
2022-present • Utah • Assistant Coach / Recruiting Coordinator
2019-21 • Hawaii • Associate Head Coach
2017-18 • Mississippi State • Assistant Coach
2015-16 • New Mexico State • Assistant Coach
2014 • Fulton Railroaders (OVL) • Head Coach
2013-14 • Kentucky • Graduate Assistant Coach
2013 • Amsterdam Mohawks (PGCBL) • Assistant Coach
2008 • Kentucky • Student Assistant Coach
Bobby Rinard
Assistant Coach
Assistant coach Bobby Rinard was named to Gary Henderson's Utah staff in July 2025. Rinard, a longtime member of the coaching staff at Utah Tech, joins the Utes ahead of the program’s second Big 12 season in 2026.
“We are thrilled to welcome Bobby to our coaching staff,” Henderson said. “He is an extremely well-rounded baseball mind, as shown by the impact he made during his long run at Utah Tech. We look forward to having Bobby as part of our Utah Athletics family.”
Rinard (pronounced ruh-NARD) spent the last 11 seasons under Chris Pfatenhauer down in St. George, being promoted to associate head coach for his last two years. He primarily worked with outfielders, hitters and baserunners and also served as recruiting coordinator during his time with the Trailblazers.
Rinard’s time with the Trailblazers included helping the program through a transition from NCAA Division II up to the Division I level. All told, he was in the dugout for 283 victories, a conference championship and three NCAA Regional appearances. Thirty-five all-conference honors, 11 all-region selections and five all-America laurels went to position players with Rinard on staff.
“I am very thankful to Coach Henderson, Mark Harlan and Jason Greco for this opportunity,” said Rinard. “The chance to be part of a Big 12 program with a brand new ballpark on the horizon is one that I am very grateful for. I look forward to meeting our players very soon.
Rinard added, “I also want to express appreciation to Coach Pfatenhauer, the players, and support staff at Utah Tech for our time together. I will always cherish my time in St. George and wish everyone there all the very best.”
Since beginning Division I play in 2021 as a member of the WAC, the Trailblazers have recorded nine wins over Power Conference opponents, including a triumph over then-No. 6 Arizona during the 2021 campaign. Four position players picked up first-team all-conference in the WAC, including outfielder Lane Pritchard in 2021.
Rinard was in St. George for the final six seasons of Utah Tech’s Division II era and coached one of the nation’s top offenses during that stretch. As members of the PacWest and RMAC conferences from 2015-19, the team ranked top-four in batting average each year, leading the PacWest in both 2016 and ’17. The 2017 team set a program record with a .340 batting average that ranked second in the nation. It was the third straight season that netted a postseason regional appearance.
Individually, Drew McLaughlin hit .408 during the 2016 campaign to win the PacWest batting title. The following year, the Trailblazers had three players among the conference’s top-five for on-base percentage.
Defensively, the program had a .973 fielding percentage in 2015 to lead the PacWest and place in the top-10 across Division II.
Before going to Utah Tech, Rinard spent the 2014 season at his alma mater, Arizona. While there as an undergraduate assistant coach, he tutored the Wildcats’ outfielders and hitters, served as first base coach and contributed in several other aspects of the program.
Rinard’s collegiate playing career brought him to Yavapai College (2008-09) and Arizona (2010-11). He was named All-Conference in 2009 after posting a .350 batting average, 39 RBIs and team-bests with 76 hits and 53 runs scored. His time at Arizona included a pair of NCAA Regional berths as he appeared in 70 total games.
He was drafted by the New York Mets in the 43rd round of the 2009 MLB Draft, then signed a free agent contract with the New York Yankees in 2011. Rinard went on to play three professional seasons before heading to Arizona to begin his coaching career.
Rinard will be joined in Salt Lake City by his wife, Francesca. He earned his Bachelor's degree in general studies from Arizona in 2014.