Baylor baseball has a storied history, and the program is now poised for a resurgence under the leadership of a familiar face. Assistant coach Zach Dillon, a former Baylor player and volunteer coach, has returned to the team, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a passion for reviving the Bears' winning ways.

Unlocking Baylor's Potential: A Veteran Coaching Staff's Mission

Embracing the Challenge: Dillon's Homecoming and the Pursuit of Excellence

Zach Dillon's journey with Baylor baseball has come full circle. After starring as a player during the Bears' 2005 College World Series run and serving as a volunteer assistant in the team's 2012 Big 12 championship season, Dillon has rejoined the program as the hitting coach and recruiting coordinator. Alongside head coach Mitch Thompson, who also has deep roots in Baylor's coaching history, Dillon is determined to restore the team's winning tradition."I think that's why I'm here, I think that's why [former Bear] Coach [Jim] Blair is here, this was more of a passion project for us," Dillon said. "We saw a once-proud top-25 program, and we wanted to help CoachThompson bring it back to what it was. And we feel like we're on our way. It's taken some time, obviously, and we've gone through some adversity, but there's not a lot of quit in our coaching staff, so we're going to keep pushing every day to get it back to where it was."

Building a Winning Culture: Instilling Belief and Fostering Camaraderie

Dillon's return to Baylor has been marked by a renewed focus on cultivating a winning culture within the program. The coaching staff has emphasized the importance of belief, unity, and a shared vision among the players."I think the big word around here for me is 'belief'," Dillon said. "Getting everybody in the operation pulling on the same end of the rope and believing in each other and getting everybody going in the same direction is how you start to build a winning program again. And that's where we're at. We're in the belief stage."The Bears' roster features a wealth of experienced players, including several standout performers from the 2024 season. This continuity has been a crucial factor in the team's preparations for the upcoming campaign."Anytime you can return guys, especially in the current state of college athletics, it's a big deal," Dillon said. "When you know their personalities and what makes them go, that's big-time. Those guys are hungry to win and are holding each other to a high standard. Having them in the clubhouse is like an extension of the coaching staff. Our day-to-day standard has been raised, and they understand the value of that."

Harnessing Talent and Experience: The Bears' Roster Primed for Success

Baylor's roster for the 2025 season boasts a blend of experienced veterans and promising young talent. The team's four primary outfielders – redshirt senior Enzo Apodaca, senior Ty Johnson, redshirt senior Hunter Simmons, and senior Wesley Jordan – were responsible for over 36% of the Bears' offensive production in 2024 and have each showcased their ability to excel at the collegiate level.Sophomore pitcher Mason Green, who worked his way into the weekend rotation as a freshman, has continued to impress during the fall, recording 18 strikeouts and just one walk. The pitching staff as a whole has displayed a newfound confidence and determination to translate their stellar fall performances into Big 12 success."I'm pretty sure everyone says baseball is 90% mental and 10% talent," Green said. "It's really all about confidence, because if you don't have confidence in yourself, it's hard to play to your full potential. I feel like we're really starting to figure out who's belonging in certain positions and who can handle the pressure for big moments in the spring."With the majority of the 2024 roster returning and the addition of experienced transfers, the Bears are poised to capitalize on their depth and chemistry. As Apodaca noted, the team's veteran leadership and collective experience will be crucial in overcoming any obstacles that may arise."We're very experienced, and we're a lot older. Even the guys we brought in from the transfer portal are experienced," Apodaca said. "I'm expecting a lot of that senior leadership to step up this spring. That will help us getting over any obstacles – having guys to lean on and pick you up when you're down."As Baylor baseball prepares for the 2025 season, the coaching staff and players are united in their belief that the program is on the cusp of a resurgence. With a proven coaching staff, a roster brimming with talent and experience, and a renewed commitment to building a winning culture, the Bears are ready to reclaim their place among the top programs in the Big 12 and beyond.