The Columbus Clippers have announced their coaching staff for the 2026 season, and it includes some recent Guardians’ alumni. Former bullpen pitcher Nick Wittgren was named one of Columbus’ pitching coaches for the upcoming season, working alongside Andrew Moore who is returning to the team after coaching in Single-A Lake County last year. Wittgren pitched for multiple Major League teams including Cleveland, Miami, St. Louis, and Kansas City, and he announced his retirement from playing last year.
The team will once again be managed by Andy Tracy who is gearing up for his sixth season as Columbus’ skipper. Tracy has guided the team to a record of 356-360 in those six seasons, including a second-half title in 2024. His second-in-command, Daniel Robertson, will be returning for his fifth season as a coach in the Guardians system, his third as bench coach for the Clippers.
On the hitting side, former Buckeyes outfielder/hitting coach Matt Angle is preparing for his second season as Columbus’ hitting coach. He will be joined by Ordomar Valdez who spent last season as a hitting coach for Lake County.
Rounding out the staff for the Clippers, Mac Seibert is being promoted from the Dominican Summer League Guardians’ manager to Columbus’ development coach. Jake Legan, 2025 International League Athletic Trainer of the Year, will be returning for his third season as athletic trainer, and he will be assisted by Frank Sammons who was promoted from Lake County. Tyler Grisdale and Mo Cuevas, 2024’s Eastern League Strength Coach of the Year, will make up the strength and conditioning team.
The Columbus Clippers will begin their season on March 27th at the Iowa Cubs, and play their first home game against the Indianapolis Indians on the 31st.
