University Southern California Trojans
Photo by: Chris Mora
USC Baseball Announces Hiring of Keith Zuniga as Pitching Coach
June 19, 2026 | Baseball
LOS ANGELES – USC Baseball Head Coach Andy Stankiewicz announced the hiring of rising star Keith Zuniga as the program's pitching coach on Friday (June 19).
Zuniga comes to USC after spending the last three years at Hawai'i where he turned the Rainbow Warriors' pitching staff into one of the best in the nation.
"Keith has established himself as one of finest pitching coaches in the country," said Stankiewicz. "He is tireless in recruiting and his development of pitchers is a proven commodity. He uses analytics, but more importantly, he works with his pitchers on their mentality and builds relationships with his staff. We are very excited to welcome Coach Zuniga and his family to the Trojan Family."
Under Zuniga's tutelage, Hawai'i was one of just four programs to rank in the Top 20 nationally in ERA each of the last three years, culminating in a 2026 Rainbow Warrior staff that posted the No. 3 ERA in the country at 3.45. Zuniga helped develop Isaiah Magdaleno into one of the top hurlers in the country as well, with the junior righty becoming Hawai'i's first All-American since Kolten Wong in 2011 (excluding the shortened 2020 season).
"I am incredibly honored and grateful to join the USC baseball program as pitching coach," said Zuniga. "I want to thank Andy Stankiewicz for the opportunity and trust. USC's tradition of excellence speaks for itself. I can't wait to lock arms with the staff and get to work developing elite pitchers, competing for championships, and representing the Trojans."
While at Hawai'i, Zuniga served as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator for the program, playing a crucial role in the Rainbow Warriors posting their first back-to-back 35-plus win seasons since 1991-92, winning 37 games in 2024 and 35 in 2025.
In addition to compiling the third-best ERA in the country, the 2026 Hawai'i pitching staff also finished fourth in WHIP (1.22), fifth in hits allowed per nine innings (7.37), third in shutouts (7) and fifth in opponent batting average (.222).
Zuniga also saw two of his Rainbow Warrior arms selected in last year's MLB Draft and another sign a free-agent contract.
He has been a key developer of arms with USA Baseball as well, spending time this summer as the pitching coach at the 16U/17U National Team Development Program. After making his coaching debut with USA Baseball as a pitching coach at the 2024 13U/14U Athlete Development Program, Zuniga returned to Cary last summer and served as pitching coordinator at the 2025 13U/14U ADP.
Prior to his time in Honolulu, Zuniga spent three years (2021-23) as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at New Mexico State, helping to develop a pair of MLB draft selections and four undrafted signees, including Samuel Natera Jr., who went on to make his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Angels earlier this year.
A standout collegiate pitcher in his own right, Zuniga posted a 15-9 record and 2.85 ERA in two seasons at Bethune-Cookman. Zuniga was drafted by the Miami Marlins in 2014 but opted to return for his senior season before eventually joining the coaching staff at his alma mater.
Zuniga was the director of operations at Bethune-Cookman for three seasons before moving into an assistant coaching role from 2018-20. He helped the Wildcats bring in their highest-ever ranked recruiting class in 2019 and played a crucial role in mentoring 11th-round draft pick Anthony Maldonado, who finished second in the MEAC with 97 strikeouts. The 2019 BCU staff also led the conference in punch-outs.
Zuniga takes over the USC pitching coach role after Sean Allen accepted the head coaching job at Lamar University this offseason. The USC pitching staff, led by All-Americans Mason Edwards and Grant Govel, was fourth in the country with a 3.50 ERA, while also leading the nation in shutouts (10), finishing second in hits allowed per nine innings (7.11) and sixth in WHIP (1.22).
Zuniga comes to USC after spending the last three years at Hawai'i where he turned the Rainbow Warriors' pitching staff into one of the best in the nation.
"Keith has established himself as one of finest pitching coaches in the country," said Stankiewicz. "He is tireless in recruiting and his development of pitchers is a proven commodity. He uses analytics, but more importantly, he works with his pitchers on their mentality and builds relationships with his staff. We are very excited to welcome Coach Zuniga and his family to the Trojan Family."
Under Zuniga's tutelage, Hawai'i was one of just four programs to rank in the Top 20 nationally in ERA each of the last three years, culminating in a 2026 Rainbow Warrior staff that posted the No. 3 ERA in the country at 3.45. Zuniga helped develop Isaiah Magdaleno into one of the top hurlers in the country as well, with the junior righty becoming Hawai'i's first All-American since Kolten Wong in 2011 (excluding the shortened 2020 season).
"I am incredibly honored and grateful to join the USC baseball program as pitching coach," said Zuniga. "I want to thank Andy Stankiewicz for the opportunity and trust. USC's tradition of excellence speaks for itself. I can't wait to lock arms with the staff and get to work developing elite pitchers, competing for championships, and representing the Trojans."
While at Hawai'i, Zuniga served as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator for the program, playing a crucial role in the Rainbow Warriors posting their first back-to-back 35-plus win seasons since 1991-92, winning 37 games in 2024 and 35 in 2025.
In addition to compiling the third-best ERA in the country, the 2026 Hawai'i pitching staff also finished fourth in WHIP (1.22), fifth in hits allowed per nine innings (7.37), third in shutouts (7) and fifth in opponent batting average (.222).
Zuniga also saw two of his Rainbow Warrior arms selected in last year's MLB Draft and another sign a free-agent contract.
He has been a key developer of arms with USA Baseball as well, spending time this summer as the pitching coach at the 16U/17U National Team Development Program. After making his coaching debut with USA Baseball as a pitching coach at the 2024 13U/14U Athlete Development Program, Zuniga returned to Cary last summer and served as pitching coordinator at the 2025 13U/14U ADP.
Prior to his time in Honolulu, Zuniga spent three years (2021-23) as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at New Mexico State, helping to develop a pair of MLB draft selections and four undrafted signees, including Samuel Natera Jr., who went on to make his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Angels earlier this year.
A standout collegiate pitcher in his own right, Zuniga posted a 15-9 record and 2.85 ERA in two seasons at Bethune-Cookman. Zuniga was drafted by the Miami Marlins in 2014 but opted to return for his senior season before eventually joining the coaching staff at his alma mater.
Zuniga was the director of operations at Bethune-Cookman for three seasons before moving into an assistant coaching role from 2018-20. He helped the Wildcats bring in their highest-ever ranked recruiting class in 2019 and played a crucial role in mentoring 11th-round draft pick Anthony Maldonado, who finished second in the MEAC with 97 strikeouts. The 2019 BCU staff also led the conference in punch-outs.
Zuniga takes over the USC pitching coach role after Sean Allen accepted the head coaching job at Lamar University this offseason. The USC pitching staff, led by All-Americans Mason Edwards and Grant Govel, was fourth in the country with a 3.50 ERA, while also leading the nation in shutouts (10), finishing second in hits allowed per nine innings (7.11) and sixth in WHIP (1.22).
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