Jacob Upwood, Pacific's new head baseball coach, knows first-hand the importance of developing players.

"The development side is why I played professionally," said Upwood, who after pitching at Division III Ithaca College in New York, spent two seasons in the San Diego Padres organization. 

"I was 5 (feet) 9 (inches) coming out of high school throwing 82 miles per hour. I just figured out ways to get better any possible way that I could, utilized coaching and figuring out things on my own. I got to play and get paid to do it. That's (player development) what's near and dear to my heart."

At Pacific, Upwood becomes just the fourth baseball coach since 1964, replacing Brian Billings, who led the Boxers to three straight Northwest Conference championships (2021-23). 

"I'm excited to get to work with the guys," Upwood said. "After having the interview and speaking with the other (Pacific) coaches and staff members, it felt very much like a community."

After beginning his coaching career in Syracuse, New York as an assistant at Onondaga Community College in 2006 and then winning the 2013 American Association league championship as the pitching coach for the Gary SouthShore RailCats, Upwood spent the last 11 seasons at North Park University, a Division III program in Chicago.

"Coach Upwood's vision impressed everyone during the interview process, and his success as a player, recruiter and coach at the Division III level was the right fit to keep pushing Boxer Baseball forward," Pacific Athletic Director Keith Buckley said. "We are excited for Jacob to join Pacific and our athletic department."

With Upwood serving as pitching coach, recruiting coordinator and strength and conditioning coach, North Park reached the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) postseason tournament eight times in 11 seasons.

Last spring, the Vikings won the CCIW regular season championship.

"Something clicked and it was great to watch," Upwood said. "Pitching was definitely a strong point for us and we had a good core group of guys that had been there for a while and had all made progress. It was a great year."

Along with development, Upwood noted recruiting, playing a tough non-conference schedule and communication as keys to running a winning baseball program. 

"I'm a huge baseball nerd, especially on the pitching side of things," Upwood said. "It's a puzzle and you're just trying to figure it out. That's the most appealing thing for me. I like to attack situations in different ways."

Upwood comes to Pacific with his wife, Andrea, and their two dogs. 

"We're both really excited about the opportunity and the community," Upwood said. 

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