Mariano Jimenez Jr.
Athletic Director/Baseball Coach
Athletic Director/Baseball Coach
In March 2023, Mariano Jimenez Jr. was named New College鈥檚 first ever athletic director and head baseball coach.听 He immediately went to work recruiting top student-athletes from across the country and developing an 鈥渦ncommon鈥� culture that reverberates throughout the athletic department. Mariano has been instrumental in the recruitment of 152 student-athletes in six sports in this inaugural year of athletics.
Since then, the school has expanded to 12 sports with the additions of men鈥檚/women鈥檚 golf, men鈥檚/women鈥檚 lacrosse, and indoor/beach volleyball for the 2024-25 school year.
Mariano played a major role in New College鈥檚 bid to be accepted into the NAIA Sun Conference and was praised for his leadership by St. Thomas University President Dr. David Armstrong.听 鈥淣ew College leadership impressed all of us with their knowledge of the NAIA and Sun Conference. Their preparation for the Sun Conference visit and their vision to have a first-rate athletic program at one of the most prominent academic colleges in the country, was very impressive.鈥漃rior to his time at New College, Mariano was a Major League hitting consultant and baseball agent to some of the top players across Major League Baseball including several 1st听round picks, a National League Rookie of the Year and a World Baseball Classic MVP.
World Series champion Chris Coghlan had this to say about his time with Mariano, 鈥淚 played 13 years of professional baseball, he鈥檚 the best hitting coach I had.听 I would trust my son under his development.鈥�
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Mariano spent significant time helping in roles ranging from athletic director to head coach at prestigious prep schools like Inspiration Academy and IMG Academy.
He also had a stint with Team USA Baseball as a coach with their National Team Identification Series.
Mariano graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University with a Master鈥檚 Degree in Organizational Leadership and a Bachelor鈥檚 Degree in Sports Management.听 He also was an assistant baseball coach at his alma mater for two seasons.
Mariano believes that if we build a healthy environment where student-athletes and coaches all share an uncommon mindset, the results will take care of themselves.听 鈥淎t New College, we鈥檙e going to execute on a mission to be 鈥榰ncommon in any situation.鈥櫶� That means we’re going to commit to the process of becoming great.听 If we do, the scoreboard will take care of itself.鈥澨�
Jimenez and his wife have started a foundation to honor the courageous battle their daughter Aubrien had with cancer.听 The Light of Aubrien Foundation will benefit student-athlete scholarships and help families who are struggling with their own battle with cancer.