Coaches
The Rawlings Tigers North Jersey coaching staff brings decades of high-level playing, coaching, and player-development experience to one of the nation’s premier youth baseball organizations. Every coach in our program is trained in the Rawlings Tigers system, prioritizing fundamentals, character, and long-term athlete development.
Coach Joseph Simone
Director of Baseball Operations
+ Rider University (Division I) - First Team All-MAAC Honors
+ Costal Plains Collegiate League All Star 2018 & 2021
+ Gardner-Webb University - Big South Conference
+ Played Professionally with the New Jersey Jackals
+ Founder & Head of Operations at The Dirt Club
+ Assistant Coach at Keuka College (Keuka Park, New York)
+ Coached Team Italy in The World Comes to Palm Beaches International Baseball Tournament 2025
+ Experienced Hitting Instructor with background in data-driven player development
Coach Justin Valdespina
Director of Pitching Development
+ Southern New Hampshire University (NCAA Division II) – 10–3 with a 2.89 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 2016
+ ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division II East All-Region Second Team
+ Selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 15th Round of the 2016 MLB Draft
+ Pitched Professionally in the Colorado Rockies Organization for Three Seasons
+ Professional Pitching Experience with the Grand Junction Rockies, Asheville Tourists & Boise Hawks
+ Continued Professional Career with the Rockland Boulders and Boise Hawks of the Pioneer League
+ Experienced Pitching Director specializing in mechanics, arm development, pitch design & individualized player development
Coach Evan Gettle
Director of Catching Development and Curriculum
+ Felician University – Catching Coach
+ Fairleigh Dickinson University–Florham – Collegiate Catcher
+ Oversees Catching Curriculum, Training Standards & Position-Specific Development Across the Program
+ Experienced Catching Instructor Specializing in Receiving, Blocking, Throwing Mechanics & Footwork
+ Emphasizes Advanced Receiving Techniques, Transfer Efficiency & Controlling the Running Game
+ Develops Catchers in Game Management, Pitcher Communication, Leadership & Baseball IQ
+ Builds Progressive Curriculum Development Plans Designed to Translate Training into Game Performance
Coach Brelin Dixon
+ Bloomfield College (NCAA Division II) – Left-Handed Pitcher, Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference
+ Professional Pitching Experience with the New Jersey Jackals & Empire State Greys of the Frontier League
+ Experienced Pitching Trainer working with top pitching talent across the Tri-State region
+ Extensive Experience in Competitive Travel Baseball Coaching & Player Development
+ Specializes in Pitching Mechanics, Command, Arm Development & Competitive Preparation
+ Emphasizes Repeatable Delivery, Athletic Movement, Pitch Execution & Developing Confidence on the Mound
Coach Ryan Passaro
+ DeSales University (NCAA Division III) – Four-Year Collegiate Pitcher
+ Competed in the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom
+ Pitched in the MAC Freedom Conference Tournament
+ Wayne Hills High School – Second Team All-County Selection
+ Member of the 2016 Passaic County Championship Team at Wayne Hills
+ Collegiate Playing Experience as both a Starter & Reliever
+ Experienced in Pitching Development, Competitive Preparation & Developing Young Players
