SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — UC Santa Barbara Baseball Head Coach Andrew Checketts announced the promotion of Spencer Erdman from volunteer assistant coach to a full-time assistant position on Friday.
 
Erdman has dedicated the past three seasons to volunteering with the Gauchos, focusing extensively on enhancing the skills of the team's hitters and infielders. In his new position he will continue to work heavily with these groups and help UC Santa Barbara continue its offensive excellence. During Erdman's time in Isla Vista, his coaching has significantly impacted the Gauchos, helping them to consistently lead The Big West offensively, including in doubles, home runs, slugging percentage and stolen bases. In 2023, UC Santa Barbara hitters broke the school record for home runs in a season, mashing 85 long balls.
 
Before joining the Gauchos, Erdman served as a coach for the Anchorage Glacier Pilots in the Alaskan Baseball League, Santa Barbara City College and, most recently, San Jose State. During his two-year tenure down the road at City College, the Vaqueros boasted their league's best batting average and claimed a state title in 2019. With the Glacier Pilots, Erdman helped lead the team to a second-place finish the year after they finished dead last, producing eight All Star selections in the process.
 
In terms of his playing background, Erdman boasts a commendable track record. He began his journey at Santa Barbara City College, where he excelled as a starting infielder, earning a Gold Glove and helping the Vaqueros to back-to-back fifth-place finishes in the state. His skills earned him a move to Loyola Marymount University, where he continued to shine as a two-year starting shortstop. There, he maintained a remarkable batting average of .338, received an all-conference selection during his senior year and notably contributed to the Lions' 2017 West Coast Conference Championship.
 
Erdman and the Gauchos will embark on their fourth season together in 2024, with UC Santa Barbara's eyes firmly fixed on another Big West Championship and a return to the NCAA Tournament.