SAN FRANCISCO - Craig Gianinno has been tapped as Director of Player Development, a volunteer coaching role, for the baseball team, announced today by University of San Francisco head coach Nino Giarratano.

"Craig is a wonderful addition to the USF Coaching Staff. He brings a wealth of knowledge about the game of baseball and the process it takes to be a champion. He has been very successful in the WCAL and will help the USF Family advance in many areas. We are very fortunate to have such a great individual join us," said Giarranto.

Prior to volunteering at USF, Gianinno has spent the past 8 seasons as the head coach of the Junipero Serra High School baseball program. He led the Padres to an overall record of 162-77-1 (.675). Under Gianinno, the Padres averaged 20 wins per season, won 3 WCAL championship titles, and they earned automatic bids to the Central Coast Section playoffs every season. Giannino was selected as the 2012 Coach of the Year by The San Jose Mercury News/Palo Alto Daily News.

"We are absolutely thrilled to add Coach Gianinno to the Dons family. His commitment to mind, body and spiritual development sets him apart in any industry. Within the game he has experienced great success as a coach and mentor because he has stayed true to the same values that drive the Jesuit tradition of service and leadership," said Associate Head Coach Troy Nakamura.

As the Padres' head coach, Gianinno has coached more than 40 players who went on to play collegiate baseball, and 12 of those players have continued on to play professionally. He has had five players selected to the Area Code Games, as well as one Under Armour All-American. Prior to coaching Junipero Serra High School, Gianinno served as assistant baseball coach at the College of San Mateo from 2000-2003 and 2007-2009.

"I have tremendous respect for Coach Giarratano and the staff. I look forward to contributing to the vision and mission of the University of San Francisco academic and athletic program. I am excited about the opportunity to share my passion and energy with a program that is so dear to my heart," said Gianinno.

A native North Beach resident, Gianinno attended Sacred Heart Cathedral High School, where he also coached for a year in 1999. Gianinno attended City College of San Francisco, College of Marin and Bellevue University (NE). While at Bellevue, he was a member of the 1995 NAIA College World Series National Championship Team. After receiving his bachelor's degree in physical education, he went on to obtain a California teaching credential and a master's degree in education.