Inside The Pinstripes

Another Member of the Yankees' Coaching Staff Won't Return Next Season

First base coach and outfield instructor Reggie Willits is the latest coach to depart this offseason, set to join the coaching staff at the University of Oklahoma

Max Goodman

Manager Aaron Boone may be back, but the Yankees' coaching staff continues to change around him.

First base coach and outfield instructor Reggie Willits is leaving the organization to join the University of Oklahoma baseball program as a volunteer assistant coach, the Yankees announced on Thursday.

Willits has spent the last seven years in the Yankees organization. Before beginning his tenure as New York's first base coach and outfield instructor in 2018, Willits served as the club's minor league outfield and baserunning coordinator for three years. 

“I want to thank Brian Cashman, Aaron Boone and the Steinbrenner family for the opportunity to work for such a world-class organization,” Willits said in a statement released by the team. “I’ve cherished my time with the Yankees and I’ve grown professionally and personally because of the bonds that have I’ve formed with so many players, coaches and staff.”

With his contract set to expire at the end of the year, Willits won't return to his alma mater full-time until January. The 40-year-old attended the University of Oklahoma as a player before he was selected by the Angels in the seventh round of the 2003 First-Year Player Draft.

As of now, Willits is the fourth coach that won't be back next year. New York also chose not to renew the contracts of third base coach Phil Nevin, hitting coach Marcus Thames and assistant hitting coach P.J. Pilittere. 

READ: Coaches Marcus Thames, Phil Nevin, P.J. Pilittere Won’t Return to Yankees

On the other hand, the Yankees elected to re-sign Boone to a three-year deal. The skipper will be back in 2022 and beyond, surrounded by a different coaching staff. 

These alterations could be a precursor to a variety of moves this winter in player personnel as well. General manager Brian Cashman revealed earlier this week that he will monitor the trade and free agent markets all offseason long, constantly looking to make improvements to a team that hasn't been to the World Series in 12 years. 

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Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Yankees for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. Goodman has been on the Yankees beat for three seasons. He is also the publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Jets site, Jets Country. Before starting Inside The Pinstripes, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. At school, Goodman was an anchor and reporter with NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. While at Northwestern, Goodman interned with MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman. You can connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

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