UCSD Baseball Camps - University of California at San Diego

UC San Diego Baseball Camps
Coaching Staff

Rob Avila
Assistant Coach

Rob Avila was named an assistant coach with the UCSD baseball program on Sept. 7, 2011.

Avila was the head coach at Palm Beach Atlantic University from 2005-10 where he led the Sailfish to two National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) South Region championships in four seasons.

Avila will primarily be responsible for coaching the pitchers and catchers as well as coordinating the Triton defense during games.

"I am very excited for this opportunity to work with coach Newman and the Triton baseball program at UC San Diego," said Avila. "I am looking forward to being part of the outstanding athletics department at UCSD. I will do my best to uphold the standard of excellence on and off the diamond that has been set by the coaches, staff and student-athletes who came before us."

Avila was named the NCCAA South Region Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2009 while with Palm Beach Atlantic. In both of those seasons, the Sailfish finished ninth in the NCCAA. During his tenure, he coached one All-American and 22 all-region selections. Three players went on to sign professional contracts.

In 2010, Avila was also an assistant athletics director for operations at Palm Beach Atlantic. He was the school's head strength and conditioning coordinator from 2005-10 as well. Avila began his collegiate coaching career in 2001 as an assistant at Mendocino College in Ukiah, Calif.

Avila had a solid career as a player on both the collegiate and professional levels. He played at The Master's College (1998-99) and Fresno City College (1997) and was a two-time All-NAIA Independent pick (1998, 1999) and an all-region selection (1997). In 1999, Avila was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 18th round. He spent five years in the minor leagues, including time with the Double-A Reading Phillies.

Avila has a Master's Degree in physical education from Azusa Pacific and a Bachelor's Degree in in the same field from The Master's College.

"Rob brings tremendous character and experience to our staff," said Newman. "His knowledge of the game and his leadership skills will be a tremendous asset to our student-athletes."

Sergio Brown
Assistant Coach

Sergio Brown was named an assistant coach with the Triton baseball program on Sept. 7, 2011.

Brown has extensive experience on the NCAA Division I level as a coach and player in the Big West, one of the most respected baseball conferences in the country. He served two stints at Cal State Fullerton with three seasons at UC Irvine sandwiched in-between.

Brown will primarily be responsible for organizing recruiting efforts, working with hitters and outfielders and coordinating the defense during games.

"My family and I are excited about this new opportunity at UCSD," said Brown. "The success of all of the programs, specifically baseball, is special and I am looking forward to helping keep that tradition alive. I want to thank Coach Newman for having faith in my coaching abilities and the athletics department for making my transition to the Triton family so swift and smooth."

From 2007-10, Brown was Cal State Fullerton's recruiting coordinator. In 2009, he boasted the nation's fifth-best class, while in 2010 his contingent was ranked eighth and in 2008 it was 14th. Brown's efforts helped lead the Titans to a seventh-place finish at the 2009 College World Series after winning regional and super regional championships. CSUF also won regional, as well as Big West titles, in 2008 and 2010.

Brown also coordinated hitting instruction and saw the Titans lead the league in average, runs, hits, RBI, on-base percentage and sacrifice bunts in 2009 and 2010. Over those two seasons, CSUF's batting average ranked second and eighth, respectively, in the program's rich history. During his time in Fullerton, 12 Titans earned All-America status and 29 were All-Big West performers.

From 2004-07, Brown held the same position at UC Irvine. His 2007 recruiting class was ranked 14th nationally and the Anteaters led the Big West in average, runs, hits, RBI, slugging percentage, on-base percentage and sacrifice bunts. UCI finished third at the College World Series in 2007 and also made a NCAA postseason appearance in 2006. A total of 30 players were drafted (28 for the first time) and 31 picked up all-conference accolades.

Brown was the director of baseball operations at Cal State Fullerton from 2001-03. He began his coaching career at Cypress Community College as an assistant from 1995-2001.

As a player, Brown won a national championship with Cal State Fullerton in 1995 as the Titans went 57-9 overall. An infielder, he also played three seasons (1991-93) at Cal Poly Pomona before transferring to Fullerton.

Brown earned a Master's Degree in education from Azusa Pacific in 1998. He was awarded a Bachelor's Degree in English from Cal State Fullerton in 1995.

"I am really excited that Sergio's joining our staff," said Newman. "He's established himself as one of the top recruiters on the West Coast and we're fortunate to be able to bring him to UC San Diego."

Morgan Ensberg
Assistant Coach

Major League All-Star Morgan Ensberg was named an assistant coach at UCSD on Sept. 19, 2011.

Ensberg's primary responsibilities include working with the Triton hitters and infielders, as well as running camps.

"I think that this can be the best baseball school in the country," said Ensberg, who primarily played third base during his career. "What UCSD has done in baseball has been incredible. The Tritons are consistently among the top-10 in the country and I'd love to help them be top-one in the country."

No stranger to Southern California baseball, Ensberg graduated from Redondo Union High School in Redondo Beach, played for the Trojans at USC and spent time as a member of the San Diego Padres.

"We are so fortunate to be able to bring someone in with Morgan's background and playing experience," said Newman, who was named UCSD's head coach in late August. "The players will relate well to him and he will be a great asset to our clubhouse."

Drafted by Houston in the ninth round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft, Ensberg made his Astros debut on Sept. 20, 2000 and was with the team until 2007. His most memorable season came in 2005 as he was named a National League All-Star and helped lead Houston to a World Series appearance. He posted career-highs with 149 hits, 86 runs, 30 doubles, 36 home runs and 101 RBI over 150 games. Also in 2005, Ensberg was honored with a Silver Slugger Award for the best offensive third baseman in the National League. He finished fourth in league MVP voting.

In 2004, Ensberg won Houston's Darryl Kile Good Guy Award, given to the player that best exemplifies the traits of "a good teammate, a great friend, a fine father and a humble man."

In July of 2007, Ensberg was traded to San Diego, where he homered twice in his debut for the Padres. He then became a free agent and signed with the New York Yankees in late January of 2008. He played his final Major League game on May 25, 2008 as a Yankee.

While at USC, Ensberg won a national championship in 1998. He was tabbed an All-American as well as the team's MVP and still stands as the only Trojan to ever amass 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a single season. Ensberg can be found among the top-10 in 15 offensive categories in USC's record book.

Following his eight years in the big leagues, Ensberg returned to USC in 2010 to finish earning a finance degree. He also served as an assistant coach with the Trojans in 2010, working with the hitters and infielders and teaching base-running skills.

Currently, Ensberg is also a college baseball analyst for ESPN and co-hosts MLB Roundtrip, broadcast nationally by SiriusXM Satellite Radio.

Ensberg resides in Solana Beach with his wife Christi, identical twin sons Beckett and Chase (age 5) and daughter Ava (age 3).

Camps are run by the UCSD Coaches and Players.