Colorado Rockies Retain Multiple Coaches, Preserving Staff Stability

The Colorado Rockies have started to sketch out their future coaching structure. They’re blending continuity and fresh thinking after a year full of changes in the dugout and front office.

With some key returns, a new role, and a big vacancy still open, the organization is quietly reshaping the staff that will guide its next phase of rebuilding.

Rockies Lean on Stability Amid Organizational Overhaul

This franchise has seen its share of turbulence over the past year. The Rockies’ latest coaching moves show they want to keep some familiar voices around.

Instead of blowing up the staff, Colorado has kept several internal options while lining them up with a new leadership vision. You can see that approach in their decisions on the third base and hitting support roles, and in how they’ve redefined responsibilities for one of their longest-tenured coaches.

Andy Gonzalez and Jordan Pacheco Return in Key Support Roles

The Rockies confirmed that Andy Gonzalez will return as third base coach. Jordan Pacheco will stay on as assistant hitting coach for the 2026 season.

Both were promoted midseason after major staff changes and now get a real shot to leave their mark. Gonzalez, who moved from assistant hitting coach to third base coach when Warren Schaeffer took over as interim manager, brings consistent messaging to a young lineup still finding its way.

Pacheco, who came up from Triple-A Albuquerque last year, continues to build rapport with big-league hitters. He gets the organization’s player-development pipeline in a way that helps bridge gaps.

From Chaos to Structure: Schaeffer and DePodesta Take the Helm

You really can’t separate these coaching decisions from the seismic shifts that hit Colorado in 2025. The season brought a full reorientation of power, from the dugout all the way up to the front office.

The Rockies’ leadership now features a new manager–front office tandem. They’re tasked with resetting the club’s long-term direction and identity.

Bud Black’s Exit and Warren Schaeffer’s Rise

After years of underperformance, the Rockies parted ways with longtime manager Bud Black in May. His tenure had early postseason success but later, lots of losing.

Warren Schaeffer, then the team’s third base coach, stepped in as interim manager and later got the permanent gig. That shuffle triggered the first wave of coaching realignment: Gonzalez took Schaeffer’s old third base job, and Pacheco moved up from Triple-A to the big league staff.

The Rockies bet on continuity and familiarity to steady a locker room shaken by change.

Front Office Reset: Paul DePodesta Takes Charge

The dugout wasn’t the only area in flux. After the season, Colorado cut ties with general manager Bill Schmidt, which delayed more coaching decisions as the organization looked for clarity up top.

That clarity showed up in November when Paul DePodesta was hired as president of baseball operations. DePodesta’s arrival signaled a more modern, data-forward approach.

Working with Schaeffer, he’s helped reshape the on-field support system with new specialist hires and refined roles.

New Voices on the Staff and a Novel Role for Ron Gideon

With DePodesta and Schaeffer in sync, the Rockies have started to assemble a staff that mixes experience, development savvy, and new ideas. The latest announcements highlight both fresh faces and a significant role shift for a familiar coach.

These changes show Colorado wants to streamline communication from the front office to the field. There’s a special focus on pitching and hitting infrastructure.

Pitching and Hitting Get Fresh Leadership

Two notable additions to Schaeffer’s staff:

They’re expected to blend player development concepts with big-league demands, helping younger arms and bats adjust to Denver.

Ron Gideon Moves to Assistant Bench Coach

Maybe the most intriguing change is the reassignment of Ron Gideon. He used to be the first base and outfield coach, but now he’ll serve in a new assistant bench coach role.

This shift points to a more collaborative in-game decision-making setup. As assistant bench coach, Gideon can lend his experience to game planning, matchup strategy, and player communication, instead of being tied to just one group. It hints at a more layered, modern dugout hierarchy.

A First Base Vacancy and What Comes Next

Gideon’s move leaves the Rockies with one unresolved piece: the first base coach job is still open heading into the season.

That opening gives Colorado a chance to promote another in-house instructor, tap the minor league system, or maybe bring in an external voice who fits DePodesta’s forward-thinking style. We’ll see which way they go.

Balancing Continuity and Change in Denver

The Rockies are heading toward 2026 with a careful approach. They want to keep internal continuity where it helps player relationships, but they’re also ready to shake things up and redefine roles to fit a new vision.

Schaeffer’s now settled in as manager. DePodesta is running baseball operations.

Gonzalez and Pacheco are back. Leichman and Pill have their spots, and Gideon is stepping into a broader role.

Colorado’s coaching staff looks like it’s built to grow alongside the roster. The team still needs a first base coach, though—how that hire fits in could say a lot about what this next version of the Rockies will really look like.

 
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