Will Gaines was announced as the Wildcats Director of Baseball Operations by Head Coach Chip Hale on July 22, 2021. He finished his third season in charge of the Wildcats operations in June 2024.
Gaines returned to Arizona Baseball after serving as a student manager for the program from 2013-17; during his senior year in 2017 he filled the role of head student manager.
His return to Tucson was preceded by three years with the University of San Diego baseball program, where he spent two years as the Toreros Director of Baseball Operations and one season as their Director of Player Development.
"Welcoming Will back to Tucson is an exciting development for our program," Hale said. "He is a high-character individual with a passion for Arizona Baseball, two important qualities we're looking for on our support staff. I look forward to leaning on his experience in baseball operations to round out a world-class experience for our student-athletes."
Prior to his time at USD, Gaines logged one season as a minor league video intern for the San Diego Padres, where he was assigned to the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas. From March to September, his primary responsibilities included managing game video, providing video access to players, coaches, and front office personnel, and compiling scouting reports on opposing teams.
Gaines has also spent time working as a summer intern for a pair of collegiate summer wood bat teams, the Duluth Huskies in 2018 and the Santa Barbara Foresters in 2017.
His duties during his first stint in Tucson included, but were not limited to, field set up and tear down and serving as the team's bullpen catcher in 2016 and 2017. Gaines was a member of the Wildcats support staff in 2016 when the team made a run to the College World Series finals.
Gaines graduated from Arizona in 2017 with a Bachelor's degree in Communication and a minor in Sport Management. He is a native of San Diego and the son of Bill and Pauline Gaines.
Will Gaines Timeline
2022-current: Arizona, Director of Baseball Operations
2021-21: San Diego, Director of Baseball Operations
2019: San Diego, Director of Player Development
2018: Duluth Huskies, Intern
2017: San Diego Padres, Minor League Video Intern
2017: Santa Barbara Foresters, Intern
2017: Arizona, Head Student Manager
2013-16: Arizona, Student Manager
