The San Diego Padres finalized manager Craig Stammen’s coaching staff with the hiring of Bob Henley as the third base coach, Kevin Plawecki as the catching coach, and Ryan Goins as the infield coach for
the 2026 season.
The majority of the new staff includes coaches who had a previous relationship with Stammen during their time together with the Washington Nationals. All of the recent hires have a passion to teach the sport, which should help support the first-year skipper having a fundamentally sound roster.
Henley will be in the manager’s ear
Stammen is facing a steep learning curve, so he is banking on his coaching staff to offer valuable advice that proves to be the right move in high-pressure game situations. It is all about building confidence.
The hiring of Henley as the third base coach offers another friendly voice who adds valuable insight for making in-game decisions. He has a long history with the Washington Nationals organization. Henley was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 1991 MLB Draft, and played 41 games as a catcher in his lone season (1998) as a major leaguer.
Henley managed and coached at various levels in the Nats’ minor league system before being promoted to third base coach in 2014. He is known for having an aggressive base-running style, as Stammen needs assistance in taking advantage of potential run-scoring opportunities.
His knowledge of the game will help Stammen navigate the challenges that come with judging which outfielder’s arm is worth the risk of attempting to take an extra base. Hopefully, it forces the defense to make an error that scores an unearned run.
Stammen taps Goins and Plawecki for key staff roles
In 2025, Goins was a member of the Los Angeles Angels coaching staff. However, after manager Ron Washington left his position due to a medical emergency, Goins was elevated to interim bench coach.
This season, his role is to help align the infield defense, as he was an outstanding fielder during his playing days. Goins will emphasize fundamentals, which include proper positioning on relay throws from the outfield and quick transfers to execute double plays perfectly. He is the right hire for this role, as Goins played every infield position during his eight-year major league career.
Plawecki has been working in the Padres organization since he retired as a player in 2024. The former catcher is known for his strong defensive skillset behind the plate. Plawecki has a unique ability to build a bond with the organization’s catching prospects. Managing clubhouse dynamics can be a challenge for most first-year managers. To achieve immediate success, Stammen needs to have a staff member who can communicate with the players.
The primary function of the new coaching hires is to remind players about the importance of playing situational baseball, which was greatly missed last season. It means doing the “little things,” such as bunting runners into scoring position or hitting behind the runner attempting to steal a base. Maintaining a winning culture will gain support from the veterans inside the locker room.
Adversity is a part of a baseball season, as a team mirrors its manager’s reactions when things go bad. It is a delicate balancing act for Stammen, who is hoping to make a smooth transition from being a former ballplayer and front office executive to becoming the field boss.
The Friar Faithful expect the team to contend for a postseason berth in 2026. Unfortunately, Stammen is not on a long leash to learn his trade. But he has a personality that should thrive under the pressure associated with managing a major league ballclub with high expectations.
