News Summary
The Arizona Diamondbacks have appointed J.R. House as their new third-base and catching coach for the 2026 season. This move follows a challenging 2025 season, as the team aims to enhance coaching effectiveness. House, who previously served as the third-base coach for the Cincinnati Reds, brings substantial experience to the role, having managed various minor league teams within the Diamondbacks organization. His focus on preparation and game strategies is expected to support players in the upcoming season, while the team retains stability in its coaching staff.
Arizona – The Arizona Diamondbacks have announced a significant change to their coaching staff by hiring J.R. House as the new third-base and catching coach for the 2026 season. This decision follows the team’s efforts to stabilize and enhance their coaching effectiveness after a challenging 2025 season. The hiring was first reported by a local sports journalist.
J.R. House brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having spent the 2025 season as the third-base coach for the Cincinnati Reds. His background includes a notable five-season playing career in Major League Baseball, during which he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, and Baltimore Orioles. House also has extensive coaching experience, particularly within the Diamondbacks organization, where he spent the first seven years of his coaching career. His roles included managing various minor league teams, such as the Low-A Visalia Rawhide and High-A Hillsboro Hops, and he was recognized as the California League Manager of the Year in the 2015 season. In 2018, House served as Arizona’s field coordinator.
Before the hiring of House, the position of catching coach was held by bench coach Jeff Banister, who will not be retained for the upcoming season. The Diamondbacks’ third-base coaching position experienced controversy during the previous season. Shaun Larkin, who had limited major league experience, was scrutinized for his decision-making on player holds and sends, leading to a fan backlash. Larkin was eventually removed from his role as third-base coach but will remain with the organization as the infield coach. Tim Bogar briefly took over the duties but characterized his approach as aggressive in decision-making.
With the appointment of House, the Diamondbacks are aiming for a fresh start in their coaching strategies. House has emphasized the importance of preparation, focusing on game situations and team strategies, which is expected to benefit players in the upcoming season. The team’s management is optimistic that House’s experience and skill set will contribute to enhancing player performance and team dynamics.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Diamondbacks have indicated that there will be no departures or firings within the coaching staff following the conclusion of the 2025 season. Manager Torey Lovullo expressed that retaining a consistent coaching staff will foster stability and support achieving success in the coming years. Lovullo noted that the team had introduced four new coaches the previous year, resulting in challenging early-season adjustments for players and staff.
Despite not securing a postseason appearance in 2025, the Diamondbacks showcased promise with standout players like Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte. The organization is keen to build on this foundation as they head into the 2026 season while also looking to improve their pitching staff. The coaching staff, now including House in critical positions, is focused on refining strategies during spring training, ensuring they can effectively support players and maximize their potential throughout the season.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- SI: Diamondbacks Add J.R. House to Coaching Staff
- Wikipedia: Arizona Diamondbacks
- AZ Central: Torey Lovullo on Coaching Staff Status
- Google Search: Arizona Diamondbacks coaching staff
- Burn City Sports: Diamondbacks Coaching Changes
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Major League Baseball
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
