With just under 100 days to go until Opening Day 2026, the Chicago White Sox have officially locked in their Major League coaching staff under second-year manager Will Venable - and it’s a group that blends fresh perspective with some familiar faces. The 12-person staff marks a slight expansion from last season’s 11, signaling a deeper investment in development and strategy as the team looks to turn the page and build something more sustainable on the South Side.
Here’s a breakdown of the full staff:
Manager: Will Venable
Bench Coach: Walker McKinven
Pitching Coach: Zach Bove
Assistant Pitching Coach: Bobby Hearn
Bullpen Coach: Matt Wise
Hitting Coach: Derek Shomon
Assistant Hitting Coach: Joel McKeithan
First Base/Outfield Coach: José Leger
Third Base/Infield Coach: Justin Jirschele
Major League Field Coordinator: Chris Denorfia
Bullpen Catchers: Bennett Markinson, Luis Sierra
Major League Assistant: Tony Medina
The Returnees: Stability in Key Spots
While the staff has been reshaped, a handful of coaches from Venable’s 2025 crew are back - including bench coach Walker McKinven, bullpen coach Matt Wise, third base coach Justin Jirschele, and assistant hitting coach Joel McKeithan. Bullpen catcher Luis Sierra also returns for his 11th season, giving the staff a sense of continuity amid the changes.
McKinven, in particular, brings a strong resume. He joined the White Sox last season after five years with the Brewers, where he helped lead a pitching staff that allowed the fourth-fewest runs in MLB in 2024. He’s no stranger to multitasking - having served as Milwaukee’s associate pitching, catching, and strategy coach from 2021 to 2023 - and with catching coach Drew Butera no longer on staff, McKinven is expected to take on more in-game responsibilities, especially when it comes to managing young catchers like Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero.
Joel McKeithan is back for his second season as the Sox's assistant hitting coach. Before coming to Chicago, he was Cincinnati’s hitting coach for two seasons, known for his collaborative approach and ability to connect with hitters at different stages of development.
Matt Wise, the lone holdover from the Pedro Grifol era, enters his third season as bullpen coach. He previously spent four years with the Angels, including three as their pitching coach. Jirschele, a longtime organizational figure, remains in his third base and infield coaching role - a steady presence during last season’s mid-year staff overhaul.
New Faces, New Energy: A Revamped Coaching Core
The biggest shakeup comes in the pitching and hitting departments, where the White Sox are clearly embracing a more modern, analytics-driven approach.
Zach Bove, 37, takes over as pitching coach after three seasons with the Royals, where he served as assistant pitching coach and director of major league strategy. Bove is known for blending data, biomechanics, and traditional coaching - a hybrid model that’s becoming more common across the league. His hiring signals a shift in how the White Sox want to develop arms, from the big-league rotation down to the bullpen.
Joining him is Bobby Hearn, the new assistant pitching coach. At just 29, Hearn is a rising star in the coaching ranks.
He spent the last two seasons in Minnesota’s system, working as an assistant pitching coordinator in 2025 and a complex league coordinator in 2024. He also coached at Davidson College and pitched at Wake Forest, where he captained the team and earned academic honors.
Hearn brings a strong developmental background and is part of a new three-coach pitching model the Sox are rolling out for the first time.
On the offensive side, Derek Shomon steps in as hitting coach after a stint with the Marlins in 2025. While in Miami, he helped guide former Orioles prospect Kyle Stowers to a breakout All-Star season, posting a 149 wRC+ and 4.0 fWAR. Shomon brings grassroots experience too, having started his coaching career with the Schaumburg Boomers before moving into the pro ranks with Minnesota.
Speaking of the Boomers, Tony Medina - another Boomers alum - joins the staff as a Major League Assistant. His résumé includes player development and analytics roles with the Rangers, Royals, and Astros. While his exact duties haven’t been publicly defined, Medina’s background suggests he’ll play a hybrid role, potentially similar to the "offensive coordinator" position Grady Sizemore held previously.
Position Coaches: Experience and Familiarity
José Leger, 43, takes over as first base and outfield coach. He’s a seasoned minor-league manager who spent the past eight years with the Cardinals, most recently as assistant field and baserunning coordinator.
He’s managed teams to multiple playoff appearances and was named South Atlantic League Manager of the Year. Leger also brings a strong background in Latin American player development - a valuable asset for a team with a growing international presence.
Chris Denorfia joins as Major League Field Coordinator - and this one feels personal for Venable. The two were teammates in San Diego, and Denorfia’s post-playing career has been all about development.
He worked in the Cubs’ front office, coached at multiple levels, and most recently served as the Rockies’ outfield and baserunning coordinator. He brings 10 years of big-league playing experience and a sharp eye for detail - exactly the kind of voice you want helping shape daily routines and game prep.
Behind the Plate: A New Face in the Bullpen
Bennett Markinson is the newest bullpen catcher, replacing Miguel Gonzalez. Markinson played this past season at Northwestern, where he hit .266 with five homers across 52 games.
He signed a minor league deal with the Phillies in July but retired in November after a brief stint in the FCL. Now, he transitions into a new role that still keeps him close to the action, working with pitchers and catchers in daily drills and bullpen sessions.
What It All Means
This revamped staff reflects a clear direction from the White Sox front office: modernize the game plan, invest in development, and surround young talent with coaches who can communicate, teach, and adapt. With Venable entering Year Two at the helm, the pieces are starting to align around his vision for the clubhouse and on-field identity.
There’s still plenty to learn about how these coaches will collaborate and what their day-to-day impact will look like, but one thing’s certain - the White Sox aren’t standing still. They’ve built a staff that blends experience with innovation, and they’re betting that the right voices in the room can help turn potential into performance.
Stay tuned as spring approaches and roles become clearer. For now, the foundation is set.