Westmont College Athletics

In his first 29 years as a collegiate baseball head coach, Paul Svagdis has posted a winning percentage of .626 and tallied 850 wins. In his first year at Westmont, The Warriors went 43-14, won the PacWest Regular Season Championship and the PacWest Tournament. As a result, the Warriors earned their first NCAA Division II West Regional appearance and were rewarded with the opportunity to serve as hosts.
 
"I am thrilled to welcome Paul and his family to the Westmont community," said Westmont's director of athletics Robert Ruiz after the Warriors hired Svagdis in the summer of 2024. "I have the utmost confidence in his ability to carry forward the tradition of success that exists in our baseball program and at our institution. His track record of building championship culture, identifying and developing elite college and professional players, and his commitment to his faith make him the ideal candidate for this time in our program's history.
 
"We believe that Paul's depth of experience and success in both NCAA Division II and the PacWest conference will make for a seamless transition. I couldn't be more excited for the future of Westmont Baseball under his leadership."
 
“I am grateful and humbled to have been given an incredible opportunity by Dr. Beebe, Robert Ruiz, and the athletic administration to lead the Westmont baseball program," expressed Svagdis. "I am honored to take over for Coach Ruiz and Coach LaTorre’s legacy of success with Warrior Baseball, and hope to support and grow this great tradition of building quality student-athletes that lead on and off the baseball field into the future”
 
The veteran coach has a good deal of familiarity with NCAA Division II baseball and in particular, the PacWest. Svagdis coached 19 years (2003-2021) at Azusa Pacific, leading the Cougars to a record of 606-349 (.635). During his time at Azusa Pacific, Svagdis produced 16 All-Americans, 14 Academic All-Americans and eight conference Players of the Year. His Cougar teams won six conference regular season championships.
 
In 2022, Svagdis returned to Tufts (Mass.), his alma mater - where he has served as head coach for the past three seasons. Svagdis led the NCAA Division III Jumbos to a record of 80-39 (.672) and a New England Small College Athletic Conference championship in 2023. Ten of the Jumbo players were named to the all-conference team during his tenure.
 
Prior to his stint at Azusa Pacific, Svagdis served six years as the head coach at Pomona-Pitzer. From 1997-2002, the Sagehens posted a record of 121-105 (.535). In his final season at Pomona-Pitzer, Svagdis led the team to a record of 35-5, including an 18-0 record in Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play.
 
While his resume reflects a storied history of success on the diamond, Svagdis is driven to mentoring his student-athletes in all areas of life.
 
"I've always been passionate about coaching and integrating my faith into that process," noted Svagdis. "Helping young people understand the value of putting others first, leading by example, and expecting the best out of themselves, are all values I hope to continue to build into player development."
 
Over his 29-year history, Svagdis' teams have won ten regular-season conference titles and he has earned nine conference Coach of the Year awards. He has guided his teams to eight NCAA Regionals and five NAIA Tournaments, including the 2007 and 2008 teams at Azusa Pacific that advanced to the NAIA World Series. Svagdis has coached over 35 players drafted by Major League Baseball teams, including two-time All-Star and current manager of the Cleveland Guardians, Stephen Vogt.