On the heels of one of the worst seasons in school history, Arizona has already begun to make changes for 2027.
Kendall Rogers of D1Baseball is reporting that hitting coach Toby DeMello
will not return to the UA, ending his tenure after five seasons. It is technically the third coaching change Chip Hale had had to make in the last 11 months, including twice replacing his pitching coach after they left for other jobs.DeMello, who was a volunteer assistant for the first two seasons before getting elevated
to a full-time gig in 2023, was in charge of Arizona’s hitting plan and its catchers. The Wildcats struggled in both areas in 2026, which saw them go 19-34 for their most losses since 1995.
Arizona hit .256 as a team, down 30 points from last season when it reached the College World Series, and averaged 5.1 runs per game (6.5 in 2025). Injuries forced the Wildcats to skew very young in the field, with seven freshmen combining to make 204 starts, and while there was a lot of promise shown from that group—Tony Lira had the fourth-most hits by a UA freshman since the team moved to Hi Corbett Field in 2012—it was the lack of production from returning veterans that really stood out.
Seniors Maddox Mihalakis and Mathis Meurant hit .211 and .214, respectively, and junior Andrew Cain batted .229. The trio combined for nine home runs and 69 RBI in 516 at-bats.
Arizona’s catchers struggled on defense, as well. The trio of Roman Meyers, Beau Sylvester and Joe Forbes allowed 83 stolen bases on 96 attempts and also had a combined 12 passed balls.
DeMello’s departure leaves one member of Hale’s original coaching staff left, that being recruiting coordinator Trip Couch.
