EWING, N.J. - Chris Collazo has been named as the next head coach of the TCNJ baseball team, as announced Monday by Director of Athletics Liz Shatkus.
 
One of Monmouth's all-time greats, Collazo makes his head coaching debut after more than a decade of success as an assistant in the Division I ranks.
 
"I'm excited to welcome Chris Collazo and his family to TCNJ," Shatkus said. "He brings a strong focus on player development, innovative offensive strategy, and building a winning culture. With a relentless drive for success and a proven track record of winning wherever he has been, Chris is a fierce competitor and outstanding recruiter. I'm confident he will keep our baseball program thriving on the national stage."
 
Collazo returns to the Garden State after two seasons as an ACC assistant at the University of Pittsburgh, where he helped the Panthers achieve the highest RPI ranking in program history this past spring. Thanks in part to Collazo's imprint in offensive development and game-planning, as well as infield defense and in-game defensive alignments, Pitt secured seven wins over nationally ranked teams and finished with a winning record for the first time in three years. One of Collazo's mentees with the Panthers was Luke Cantwell, who was picked by the San Diego Padres in this summer's MLB Draft and turned in a pair of prolific offensive campaigns under Collazo's tutelage.
 
Collazo spent the 2023 campaign as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Delaware, playing an integral role in the program's first 30-win season and a return to the CAA Tournament after a five-year absence. The Blue Hens finished fifth in Division I's 7th-best conference, per RPI, and led the CAA in runs, hits, triples, RBIs, and walks while averaging nearly eight runs per game and producing three all-conference position players.
 
Collazo's lengthiest coaching stint came at his alma mater, where he served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator from 2015 to 2022. He designed Monmouth's daily training and game programs, including year-long hitting routines and offensive strategy, while contributing to the organization and planning of annual fundraising events such as golf outings, Hit-A-Thons, and First Pitch Dinners. While with the Hawks, Collazo recruited and coached 17 All-MAAC position players, including 2022 MLB Draft picks Trey Dombrowski (4th round to the Astros) and Rob Hensey (9th round to the Reds), as well as three MAAC Pitchers of the Year, two MAAC Rookies of the Year, and a pair of Freshman All-Americans. 
 
Monmouth achieved multiple 30-win seasons during Collazo's tenure and was crowned regular-season champion of the MAAC in 2018, and the 2022 team broke the university's home run record in the BBCOR Bat era alongside significant increases in a number of offensive categories.
 
Before his time as a coach at Monmouth, Collazo made stops at Division II Felician (2010-11) as well as Wagner (2012-14) and Villanova (2014-15), where he coached a pair of first team All-Big East standouts and created the offensive strategy that resulted in the Wildcats increasing their marks in nearly every offensive category while lowering their strikeout rate. 
 
Collazo was a first-rate player at Monmouth, where he finished his career in 2009 with the most hits in program history (247). A two-time All-NEC selection who ranks as the team's all-time leader in fielding percentage (.988) as a second baseman, Collazo led the Hawks to two NCAA Tournament appearances (2007, 2009) as well as an NEC Tournament title in 2009 and conference regular-season crown in 2008. He is also the career hits leader at Wall High School, where he won a state title in 2005.
 
"It's truly an honor to return home to New Jersey to lead the TCNJ baseball program," Collazo said. "This program has a strong tradition, a proud history, and the pieces in place to compete at the highest level. I'm eager to build on its success by developing our players, cultivating a championship mindset, and continuing to elevate TCNJ baseball on the national stage."
 
Collazo takes the reins of a TCNJ program that made an NCAA Tournament regional in 2025 on the strength of 17 graduate students and seniors who comprised a vast majority of the pitching rotation and starting position players.  
 
"I want to thank Liz Shatkus, Mike Doughtie, and the rest of the hiring committee for their trust and support throughout this process," Collazo said. "My wife, Niki, and I are thrilled to be joining this community and can't wait to get started. Go Lions!"
 
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
 
"What a great day and home run hire by TCNJ. Chris Collazo's high-level expertise in today's game of college baseball and deep-rooted recruiting connections in the Northeast & Mid-Atlantic regions will pay big dividends in putting TCNJ on the map and competing for championships immediately. There is no doubt Chris' teams will play with energy and passion for the game, and more importantly, be prepared to win in the game of life." 
-Mike Bell, Head Baseball Coach, University of Pittsburgh
 
"Outstanding hire by TCNJ. Chris Collazo is highly respected across college baseball - particularly in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic - for his experience, relentless work ethic, and track record as a successful recruiter and coach. More importantly, he's an exceptional person who players will love playing for. Chris will lead TCNJ to championships and, most importantly, help develop young men into strong leaders off the field." 
-Greg Mamula, Head Coach, University of Delaware
 
"Chris is the perfect hire for TCNJ. He is a Jersey guy to his core. Chris is not only an excellent coach, but a person of tremendous character and integrity. I've been close with Chris since he was a freshman in college and watching his coaching journey evolve to the point where he has a chance to manage his own program makes me extremely proud. He is going to inspire, teach, pay attention to details, and give every bit of himself to his players. He holds a high standard, and he lives his life to that standard every day. People are going to want to play for him and he's such a good developer of talent, his players will get better each year. TCNJ is in great hands."
-Chuck Ristano, Head Baseball Coach, US Naval Academy
 
"I am very happy for Chris and this exciting opportunity for him to lead his own program. He has a track record of recruiting and developing quality student-athletes. Chris will do a great job at TCNJ, and his dedication, passion and work ethic will be an asset for their fine baseball program. I am certain Chris will continue to build upon the strong foundation of TCNJ baseball and bring continued success on and off the field." 
-Dean Ehehalt, Head Baseball Coach, Monmouth University