Grant Mayeaux Joins Head Coach Bryan Evans to Round Out 2025 Coaching Changes
IRVINE, Calif. – Orange County Riptide President Craig Russell announced the promotion of Bryan Evans from Pitching Coach to Head Coach and named Grant Mayeaux Director of Baseball Operations effective for the 2025 California Collegiate League (CCL) season.
After serving as pitching coach for the OC Riptide from 2023-2024 season, Bryan Evans will take over the head coach role in 2025.
After two years as head coach and three years with the Riptide, Connor Spencer has resigned his duties as head coach in order to focus on his role as the Director of Baseball Operations for Cal State Fullerton Titan Baseball.
“With Connor leaving to focus on his work at Cal State Fullerton, my main goal was to create some needed continuity for the team,” Russell said. “After meeting with Connor and then Bryan, it became clear that promoting Bryan was the right choice.”
Spencer stepped down after the 2024 season. Evans’ promotion to head coach gives the Riptide consistency at the top that players and fans have come to expect.
“I am humbled and excited for this amazing opportunity to be the new head coach for the Riptide,” Evans said. “I have learned a lot the past two years from Coach Connor Spencer and I am eager to take on the challenges and do whatever it takes.”
Evans served as the pitching coach for the Riptide in 2023 & 2024. In addition to coaching during the summer for the OC Riptide, Evans serves as the Pitching Coach for Golden West College. Evans will still work with Riptide pitchers in addition to his head coaching duties.
“I have a fantastic supporting staff who love the game,” Head Coach Bryan Evans continued “Their experience and knowledge of the game is going to propel the players to a new level of baseball. I have the utmost confidence that we will be very competitive this year while preparing the players for not only their next season, but for as far as they wish to take their career.”
Spencer’s departure opens the door for Evans to expand his role within the organization. Spencer believes the Riptide remains in capable hands heading into the 2025 collegiate summer ball season.
“I’m thrilled to pass the skipper role to my good friend and colleague Bryan Evans,” Spencer said. “Bryan’s unparalleled experience in professional baseball and natural gift of connecting with the players makes him one of the brightest up and comers in the college coaching profession. His competitive drive and high motor baseball IQ should make for a smooth transition into his first managerial role. I have no doubt that he’ll continue to instill the hard nosed, professional culture that we’ve worked hard to create over the last two seasons. All that, paired with a phenomenal staff filled with familiar and exciting new faces ensures me that the Riptide are in great hands for years to come.”
Grant Mayeaux joins the OC Riptide staff after serving as the head coach of the San Diego SunRays, a 2024 CCL Affiliate team.
In addition to naming Head Coach Bryan Evans, Russell added a valuable newcomer to the Riptide staff in Grant Mayeaux as Director of Baseball Operations. Mayeaux has worked tirelessy during the fall months to recruit the best talent in order to put the most competitive team on the field in 2025.
Mayeaux currently works as an assistant coach for El Camino College and most recently the head coach for the San Diego SunRays. The SunRays played the entire 2024 season on the road, barnstorming throughout the CCL South Division last summer. The SunRays played the Riptide six times with both teams splitting the summer, winning three games apiece.
“I am thrilled to join the OC Riptide coaching staff and am grateful to Craig Russell and Bryan Evans for this opportunity,” Mayeaux said. “The Riptide has an outstanding reputation and consistently attracts the most talented college baseball players to play for them every summer. I am eager to work with our players and am committed to preparing them to be ready to earn a starting role when they return to their schools.”
At El Camino College, Mayeaux works with hitters, outfielders and assists with recruiting future players in addition to teaching classes in the department of Kinesiology.
Two more assistant coaches will return to the OC Riptide staff under Head Coach Bryan Evans. Andrew Ramos and Matt Smith return for their third seasons for the OC Riptide.
Ramos, an assistant coach at Cypress College, will coach the catchers and also assist with pitchers. Smith will coach the outfielders and will head up the base running. Mayeaux will handle the offense along with infielders and coach third base when the Riptide hitters are at bat. Smith will return to coaching first base when the Riptide hit.
With the OC Riptide coaching staff in place prior to the calendar flipping to 2025, departing head coach Connor Spencer offered these words.
“Coaching in the CCL the last 4 seasons were instrumental in shaping not only who I am as a coach, but also who I am as an individual,” Spencer said. “It was an honor having the opportunity to manage the Riptide the past two seasons, and the organization will always hold a special place in my baseball journey.”
2024 Riptide coaches from L to R; Andrew Ramos, Bryan Evans, Connor Spencer & Matt Smith, pause for a photo after another OC Riptide victory.
(Photo courtesy of Dingers Photography)
