By: Ryan Barnett

ATHERTON, CALIF. -- As just announced by the Menlo College Vice President for Athletics Keith Spataro, Alex Hoover has been named the ninth head coach in the history of Menlo College Baseball.  Hoover comes to Menlo with 15 years of coaching experience at the high school, junior college, and NCAA Division I and II levels.  Hoover will now take his first stab as a collegiate head coach here in Atherton, taking over for John Carrion, who resigned this past April.  

"We are extremely lucky to have Coach Hoover joining the Menlo College Athletics family!" stated Vice President Spataro.  "With his strong resume of coaching experience, I firmly believe that Coach Hoover will be the man to lead Menlo Baseball back to postseason play!"

Coach Hoover comes to Menlo after spending one season as the Interim Head Coach at Mission Prep High School at San Luis Obispo, where he led the Royals to the CIF Central Section Division IV Quarterfinals.  Prior to this role, Hoover spent two seasons (2018-19) with Cal State San Bernardino and three seasons (2015-17) at Cal State Bakersfield as the team Lead Assistant Coach.  At San Bernardino, Hoover's role included serving as the team's recruiting coordinator, where he was instrumental in bringing in Gabe Chavez, the program's first All-American in nearly a decade.  While at Bakersfield, the Roadrunners won 88 games in the three years that Hoover was on staff, including their only WAC Tournament Title and National Tournament Berth in 2015.  Bakersfield had four MLB draft picks while Hoover served as an assistant, two of which he recruited while serving as the team's recruiting coordinator.  He also was instrumental in raising the team's GPA from a 2.6-2.9 in his three years with the program.  

Prior to his time as a lead assistant, Coach Hoover spent three seasons as an assistant coach at baseball powerhouse Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.  While on staff at SLO, Hoover was a part of 123 wins, the most of any baseball program in the state of California, including the 2014 Big West Title and two NCAA Regional Berths. Hoover also spent time as an assistant coach for the Santa Barbara Foresters of the California Collegiate League, helping lead them to two NBC World Series Championships, and was on staff at Santa Barbara City College from 2007-10 and at the University of the Pacific in 2006.  Hoover played collegiately at Santa Barbara City College and at San Francisco State, where he graduated from in 2006.  

"I'd like to first and foremost thank President Steven Weiner, Vice President for Athletics Keith Spataro, and the entire hiring committee for taking the time to meet with me and give me the chance to learn about this incredible place." stated Coach Hoover.  "There's a lot to love about Menlo College. Between the excellent campus and facilities, strong support staff, and top notch education, we have all of the tools to create a successful program!  I cannot wait to get started!"  Coach Hoover was also quick to thank his past head coaching mentors; Teddy Warrecker (Cal Poly), Larry Lee (Cal Poly), Bill Pintard (Santa Barbara Foresters), and Bill Kernen (CSU Bakersfield).      

Coach Hoover will inherit a team that will look for their first trip to postseason play since 2017.  With his experience of coaching winning baseball teams, look for the Alex Hoover led Oaks to be back to postseason play in no time.