University of Portland Athletics

Jake Valentine, who is originally from Vancouver, Wash., was hired to the University of Portland baseball staff as assistant coach in August of 2015. Valentine is the hitting coach and recruiting coordinator for the Pilots.
 
After being named hitting coach in 2018 the results came immediately for the Pilots, as they set all-time program records in home runs and hit-by-pitches for a season. The Pilots launched 52 home runs in 52 games and collected 70 hit-by-pitches. The 2019 season also saw the offense hit 94 doubles and collect 265 RBI’s, both good enough for 10th all-time in the program record books.
 
Along with being the hitting coach, Valentine has also brought in nationally ranked recruiting classes three years in a row.  
 
Valentine previously worked at Santa Clara as an assistant coach. With the Broncos in 2014, Valentine was the infield coordinator, first base coach and the assistant hitting coach. He helped develop standout Jose Vizcaino, Jr., who claimed his second straight First Team All-WCC honor. Vizcaino, Jr., was also named the College Sports Madness WCC Field Player of the Year and he was selected in the seventh round of the MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants.
 
Prior to his stint at Santa Clara, Valentine spent two seasons (2012-14) as an assistant coach at UC Riverside. Valentine worked with outfielders and hitters during his first year and hitters during his second year with the Highlanders. He served as the team's first base coach both seasons. In addition to helping eight players get drafted, he helped UCR double its win total in his second season and the Highlanders led the Big West offensively in 2014.
 
Previously, Valentine coached at Stephen F. Austin State for two seasons (2010-12). The Lumberjacks posted a 63-56 overall record (36-30 in conference), won a school record 37 games in 2011 and made it to the Southland Conference Tournament twice. Valentine was the infield coordinator at SFA, the base running coach and the assistant hitting coach, and the team set program records in stolen bases (101, 2011), hits (647, 2011) and fielding percentage (.964, 2012). Bryson Myles set the ‘Jacks single-season stolen base record with 53 in 2011, and Valentine helped develop Hunter Dozier, who was selected with the No. 8 overall pick by the Kansas City Royals in the 2013 MLB Draft.
 
Valentine earned a communications degree from Hawai’i Pacific University after spending two years playing for the Warriors. A team captain, Valentine set single-season marks in runs scored (58, 2008) and walks (52, 2008) and he helped the team claim at least 30 wins both years. Valentine began his college career playing at Tacoma Community College in Tacoma, Wash. 

A native of Vancouver, Washington. Valentine and his wife Andree are recent parents having given birth to their son Brooks in October.