McKinley Transitions to Mariners, getzelman Takes Helm at Nevada
Jake McKinley is leaving his position as head baseball coach at the University of Nevada to join the Seattle Mariners’ major league staff. He will be taking on a role focused on player progress and strategic analysis, drawn to the Mariners’ strong personnel and organizational culture. mckinley described the Mariners as a “no-ego institution,” a key factor in his decision, stating he wouldn’t have left Nevada for just any major league opportunity. The Mariners narrowly missed a World Series berth in 2023, falling just short of the American League title.
McKinley emphasized his belief that the skills honed in college baseball - resourcefulness and creativity – translate well to the professional level. He acknowledged feeling unprepared for the jump, joking, “I’m not,” but expressed confidence in his ability to contribute due to the Mariners’ adaptive approach and his versatility.
During his three seasons at Nevada, McKinley dramatically improved the program’s performance. He inherited a team depleted by transfers and guided them from 20 wins in his first season (2022) to 25 in his second and a program-best 34 wins in his third (2024), culminating in a Mountain West regular-season title.
McKinley credited the loyalty of the Nevada community and his players for the program’s turnaround. He noted the dedication of players who chose to remain with the team despite having transfer opportunities, fostering a close-knit, “old-school” team dynamic.
Nevada Athletic Director Stephanie Rempe praised McKinley’s work ethic, care for his players, and dedication to development. “He just does everything right,” she said.
Replacing McKinley will be Jordan getzelman, who previously served as Nevada’s hitting coach and recruiting coordinator for the past three seasons. Getzelman played for McKinley at Menlo College and has worked alongside him at several other institutions, including a stint with the Milwaukee Brewers organization. McKinley expressed strong support for Getzelman, comparing the current Nevada roster to that of Murray State, a mid-major team that reached the 2023 College World Series.
McKinley highlighted the personal satisfaction he derives from seeing his former players and colleagues succeed, calling getzelman’s promotion a “metaphorical paycheck” in the profession. He expressed confidence that Getzelman will continue the program’s positive trajectory.
