11/23/2020
Xavier University of Louisiana announced Monday the hiring of Jeff De La Concha as assistant baseball coach.
De La Concha has 12 years of coaching experience, including the college, high school and summer-league levels. His college experience was at Talladega, where the Tornadoes hit .330 and averaged 7.6 runs a game during his five seasons as an assistant coach (2010-11, 2013-15). Talladega in 2014 led the NAIA with a .362 team batting average and earned its first-ever bid to the NAIA national tournament.
“Jeff De La Concha is a great addition to the Xavier baseball program,” said XULA head coach Adrian Holloway. “I witnessed what he did with Talladega’s program while he was there, and it was very impressive. Jeff is a great recruiter and instructional guy. We’re excited to get to work.”
De La Concha also was an assistant coach for six seasons at St. Petersburg (Fla.) High School, where he helped the Green Devils win two district championships. He was a head coach for seven seasons in the Stan Musial League, a summer college league in the Tampa (Fla.) area,
“It’s gratifying to be selected by Xavier to be part of the restart of the baseball program,” De La Concha said, “and I’m pumped to be back in the college game. I’m looking forward to helping coach Holloway grow this program and succeed on the national level.”
De La Concha was born in Manhattan, N.Y. He is a graduate of Dixie Hollins High School in St. Petersburg, and he received his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Talladega in 2013. In 2017 he earned a master’s in sports and health sciences from American Public University.
De La Concha played college baseball as a switch-hitting catcher: two seasons at Talladega — including a .282 batting average as a senior — and two seasons at two-year St. Petersburg (Fla.) College.
XULA baseball will compete in the spring as a varsity program for the first time since 1960.
What They’re Saying About Jeff De La Concha
Daniel Jones, St. Petersburg (Fla.) High School Head Coach
“Jeff is a good find. He’s going to serve you guys very well. The best things about him are his loyalty and work ethic. He’s a phenomenal guy, hard working, and he toes the line. He comes from a hard-working family.”
Josh Jackson, Tampa Bay Rays Scout
“Jeff is a highly qualified and highly capable coach. He is very passionate about the game and helping young men and helping them continue their playing careers and develop. He’s just an overall great guy.”
Kevin Herod, Talladega College Director of Athletics
“Jeff De La Concha is a proven professional collegiate coach who knows how to mentor and coach the game of baseball at a high level. Jeff will be an asset to the entire Xavier athletic program.”
Courtesy of Xavier University of Louisiana Athletic Department