Troy Nakamura Last College: University of San Francisco, 1998 Position: Assistant Coach Experience: 11th Year

Troy Nakamura enters his eleventh year on the coaching staff at USF. No stranger to the Diamond Dons program, Nakamura served two seasons as a volunteer coach following a successful playing career on the Hilltop. His on-field duties include coaching third base, working with the outfielders, bunters, base runners and assisting with the hitters. He oversees the team's S.A.F.E (Speed, Agility, Flexibility and Explosion) program, as well as the visualization and imagery training program.

In addition to his coaching duties, Nakamura is charged with field maintenance and upkeep.

During his career at USF, Nakamura has coached nine All-West Coast Conference outfielders, including 2006 WCC Player of the Year Scott Cousins. Cousins was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 4th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft and in 2007 earned the MiLB.com Class-A Single-Game Performance of the Year Award for his three homerun, nine RBI performance in the August 22 13-7 win over the Hickory Crawdads. Cousins was also named the Marlins' organization 2007 Defensive Player of the Year. Nakamura also coached Stefan Gartrell (31st round - Chicago White Sox) and Luke Sommer (30th round- Chicago Cubs), along with seven others who have signed professional contracts. Last season, Nakamura guided freshman OF Connor Bernatz to a successful season. Bernatz was second on the team with a .347 batting average and was named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American.

During his playing career, Nakamura was considered one of the hardest working and grittiest baseball players to ever grace the field at USF. He finished a stellar four-year career in 1998 by hitting .307 and stealing a career-high 19 bases. He also had a big junior campaign with career highs for batting average (.312) and hits (54). An excellent performer in the classroom, Nakamura was named to the WCC All-Academic Team following his junior and senior years and is one of just three players in program history to earn two selections.

Nakamura graduated from the Hilltop in 1998 with a Bachelor's Degree in Sports Administration.

GIARRATANO ON NAKAMURA: "Troy has great work habits and is one of the hardest working assistant coaches in the country. He is a great communicator with the players and loved by all."