Rockies Finalize 2026 Coaching Staff: Familiar Faces Return, New Roles Take Shape
DENVER - As the Rockies continue shaping their identity under manager Warren Schaeffer, the 2026 coaching staff is starting to come into focus - and it’s a mix of continuity, fresh voices, and strategic shifts.
Third base coach Andy González and assistant hitting coach Jordan Pacheco are staying put in their current roles, providing some stability on the offensive side of the staff. Meanwhile, longtime Rockies coach Ron Gideon is moving from first base to assistant bench coach, a move that signals both trust in his institutional knowledge and a broader shift in how the team plans to prepare its young roster.
This will be Schaeffer’s first full season at the helm after stepping in last May following Bud Black’s departure. He was officially retained in November by new president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta, and since then, Schaeffer, DePodesta, and newly hired GM Josh Byrnes have been working to reshape the on-field staff - especially on the pitching side.
And that overhaul has been significant. Alon Leichman was hired as pitching coach, with Gabe Ribas brought in as his assistant.
Matt Buschmann will run the bullpen, and Matt Daniels joins the organization as director of pitching. On the offensive side, Brett Pill steps in as the new hitting coach, while Jeff Pickler takes over as bench coach.
But even with all the new faces, the return of González and Pacheco gives the Rockies some continuity - and both bring their own unique value to the table.
González, 44, has been managing the Leones de Ponce in the Puerto Rican Winter League this offseason, where his club currently sits in second place. He’s climbed the Rockies’ coaching ladder since joining the Minor League system in 2019, serving in a variety of roles before becoming assistant hitting coach in 2023. When Schaeffer was promoted midseason in 2025, González stepped into the third-base coach role - and now he’s set to continue in that capacity while also working closely with the infielders.
A former utility man who played for the White Sox, Marlins, and Cleveland from 2007 to 2009, González brings a player’s perspective to his coaching - and his ability to connect with younger players has been a strong asset during the Rockies’ recent youth movement.
Pacheco, 39, also brings familiarity - and a deep connection to the organization. A former Rockies catcher and utility player from 2011 to 2014, he later played for the Diamondbacks and Reds before finishing his career in the Minors and independent ball. He transitioned to coaching in 2022 as the hitting coach for Triple-A Albuquerque and was elevated to the Major League staff after Schaeffer took over.
Pacheco’s playing background, especially as a catcher, gives him a broad understanding of the game from multiple angles - and that’s been valuable in helping younger hitters adjust to the big-league level.
As for Ron Gideon, his new role as assistant bench coach is a natural evolution for someone who’s been with the Rockies organization for three decades. He’s heading into his 35th year in professional coaching and has been part of the Major League staff since 2017, serving as first-base coach since 2019. In recent years, Gideon has worked extensively with the outfielders, and in his new role, he’s expected to help coordinate pregame work across multiple positions - especially important for a young roster that’s leaning more heavily into data and modern teaching methods.
The Rockies also announced that bullpen catchers Chris Rabago and Kyle Cunningham will return for 2026. Rabago, 32, is a former catcher in the Rockies, Yankees, and Tigers systems.
He’ll continue to work closely with the team’s catchers - a crucial role as Colorado looks to develop consistency behind the plate. Interestingly, Rabago’s older brother, Hector, is currently a bullpen catcher and assistant catching coach with the Phillies.
With the coaching staff nearly complete, the Rockies are clearly leaning into a blend of institutional knowledge and fresh thinking. There’s a clear emphasis on development, communication, and adaptability - all essential ingredients as the team looks to turn the page and build something sustainable under Schaeffer’s leadership.
The pieces are in place. Now comes the hard part: turning potential into progress.