FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern’s February Alumni Spotlight turns it attention to baseball alum Geoff Jimenez. Geoff played at NSU in 2014, appearing in 46 games for the Sharks and hitting .267 as a senior with 33 stolen bases, still tied for the fifth-best mark in program history. Jimenez currently coaches within the Seattle Mariners organization, serving on staff for the Double-A Arkansas Travelers. Prior to joining the Mariners organization, Jimenez spent the 2020 season with the Philadelphia Phillies player development staff. He spent the 2019 season working as the recruiting coordinator/assistant coach at Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri. From 2017–2018 Jimenez was a graduate assistant coach at Missouri State University where he received his master’s degree in Sports Administration.
Did anyone at NSU inspire you to get into coaching? Have they continued to be a mentor?
I can give credit to all of the coaches during my time at NSU for inspiring me to get into coaching. I was thankful that Greg Brown gave me an opportunity to join his program and learn under him, as well as learn under the unbelievable staff that he had assembled at Nova. Eric Cruz and I had a relationship prior to my time at NSU while at Flanagan High School. Coach Cruz has continued to be a mentor of mine, and I am thankful for the opportunity I got to play for him not only once but twice in my playing career!
What stops have you made along your journey?
- 2014-2015: Charles W. Flanagan High School (Assistant Coach)
- 2015-2016: Georgia Southwestern State University (NCAA Division II Assistant Coach)
- 2016-2018: Missouri State University (NCAA Division I Graduate Assistant Coach)
- 2018-2019: Maryville University (NCAA Division II Recruiting Coordinator/Assistant Coach)
- 2019-2020: Philadelphia Phillies (Minor League Player Development Coach)
- 2020-Present: Seattle Mariners (Minor League Player Development Coach)
What advice would you have to current players aspiring to play pro ball?
That you can make it. Getting there is hard, staying in professional baseball is even harder. However, as they’ve seen NSU has the competition and resources to help you get there and beyond. So, it’s truly up to them to determine how bad they want it!
What did you takeaway from your experience at NSU that translates to your performing at a higher level in your job?
The Rockstar coaching staff. Greg Brown, Eric Cruz, Pete Woodworth, Ryan Romero, and Gregg Bennis. Every single one of them made an impact on me during my time at NSU. And being able to experience how high-level coaches operated each and everyday did nothing but make me feel ready when I would begin my coaching career.
Do you have a favorite memory at NSU?
I can write a book of memories from my time at NSU and I know my teammates have many more. However, I am forever thankful for how the team took me in and made me feel comfortable the day I arrived. It is never easy coming in as a transfer, especially for only one season. But my teammates made me feel like I was there for a lot longer.
Our department, in collaboration with the NSU Athletics Letterwinner’s Association, is committed to engaging with our former student-athletes. We need your help to connect our community (the current team, recruits, NSU staff/faculty, fans and families) with the great things being done by former Sharks in life after college.
Please consider completing the form below to allow us to feature you in an alumni spotlight. To complete the form, click HERE.
If you have any questions, please contact Robert “Bubba” Baroniel (Baseball, ’15) at roberto.baroniel@nova.edu, or 305-746-3483.
