Former Jayhawk Del Chiaro Named Assistant Coach for Angels' Minor League Affiliate
Feb. 4, 2008
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Former University of Kansas catcher Brent Del Chiaro has been named an assistant coach for the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags” />Orem (Utah) Owlz, a Rookie League affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” />
Del Chiaro, who played at KU for two seasons (2000-01), joins long-time manager Tom Kotchman’s staff with the Owlz as the hitting coach after seven seasons in the minor leagues.
“I knew that eventually I wanted to get into coaching,” Del Chiaro said. “As a player, you know it’s not something you are going to be able to do forever. I knew wanted to play as long as I could, but I think I saw this as something I could do when my career as a player was done.”
Del Chiaro played in five games for the Salt Lake City Bees (Triple-A) in 2007 when he was offered a unique promotion. In April of last year, Del Chiaro was brought up to the Angels as a bullpen catcher. He stayed with the team in that capacity throughout the season.
“It was pretty strange at first,” Del Chiaro said. “I literally went from being a player to being in on the coach’s meetings overnight. It was a great experience to see how a coaching staff handles different players and different situations. And just to be a part of the major leagues really served as motivation to me, that I want to get back there someday.”
The Oakley, Calif., native played in two seasons at KU and finished his career with a .248 batting average with 35 RBIs, 12 doubles and three homers. He was drafted by the Angels in the 41st round of the 2001 draft and spent seven years in the farm system, reaching the Triple-A level (Salt Lake City) in 2004.
