Temple University Athletics
Baseball
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- rvalli@temple.edu
- Phone:
- 215-204-8639
- Alma Mater:
- Delaware '94
Valli's 2010 squad helped him eclipse the 300-career win mark with a 14-6 victory over Delaware State on March 10. Three Owls - Ryan Ferguson, Adrian Perez, Ben White - were selected to the Philadelphia Big 5 All-Star team, as White dazzled with a career high 94 strikeouts on the year, a mark that ranks seventh in program history for a single season.
In 2009, Valli and the Owls opened conference play winning their first eight games, a mark that had not been bettered since they started 7-0 in 1984. As a team, Temple ranked third in the conference batting .321. The season was highlighted by record setting performances at the plate, as Jamie Abercrombie broke the single-season doubles record (22) and Sean Barksdale snapped the career record for runs batted in (162).
Valli led the Cherry and White to a program record for conference wins (16) and their best overall winning percentage in the past 20 years in 2008. During his tenure at Temple he has recruited and developed six all-Atlantic 10 players and 21 all-Philadelphia Big 5 selections, including two-time Big Five Player of the Year in Barksdale.
The 2008 season was highlighted by a fourth place finish in the Atlantic 10, the best showing by the Owls in the league since 2001, and posted a 27-29 record. Temple also beat a ranked opponent, #18 Charlotte, for the first time in the Valli era and advanced to the Liberty Bell Classic semifinals for the second straight season. Valli led the Cherry and White to a six-win improvement in his second year at the helm and continued to improve all aspects of the program, on and off the field.
With a roster of just two seniors and 13 players new to Division I competition, Valli led the Owls to an 18-37 record in his second season. Temple batted .302 as a team and set single season program records in four offensive categories. Valli was instrumental in the formation of Philadelphia Big Five Baseball, which includes the five Division I baseball programs in the city (La Salle, Penn, Saint Joseph's, Temple and Villanova). The organization honors a weekly player and pitcher of the week and names a postseason all-city team.
In his first 13 months on North Broad Street, Valli signed a remarkable total of 29 players to National Letters of Intent. He also has upgraded the team's scheduling, including trips to national powers LSU and North Carolina and resuming regional rivalries with Rutgers, Penn State and St. John's. He has also improved the program's off-season training facilities, traveling, strength and conditioning and academic support. Valli, 37, arrived at Temple from at Gloucester County College (NJ) in October, 2005.
Valli’s players at Temple have caught the attention of the major-league and professional baseball ranks. Barskdale became the first Major League Baseball draft selection mentored by Valli at Temple, taken in the 38th round by the Houston Astros at the end of the season. Former pitcher Arshwin Asjes, who also threw for the Netherlands in the 2009 Baseball World Cup, signed with the Cincinnati Reds at the end of that year. Three other Valli recruits have moved on to sign independent league contracts, most recently Kyle Obal with the Washington Wild Things in 2009.
Named the 2005 National Coach of the Year, Valli led GCC to the NJCAA World Series each of the five years he was at the helm of the program. The Roadrunners won the Garden State Athletic Conference and Region XIX title in each of his five seasons (2001-05) and Valli was rewarded with GSAC and Regional Coach of the Year honors following every year. He made his first trip to the NJCAA World Series in 2001, placing third, and followed with runner-up finishes in 2002 and 2003.
After another third place showing in 2004, the Roadrunners downed Ridgewater College (Minn.), 14-4, for the 2005 NJCAA National Championship. The 1994 University of Delaware graduate compiled a 225-55-1 record while at Gloucester. His .800 winning percentage is a program record and his 225 wins rank second all-time. Valli produced nine All-Americans, including one National Player of the Year, and 29 All-Region players, while at GCC. Seven of the nine All-Americans and 25 of the All-Region selections played high school baseball in the Greater Philadelphia area. A total of 20 players signed professional contracts following their time at GCC.
Valli also was an associate scout for the Colorado Rockies from 2000-05. Prior to arriving at GCC, Valli spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Rutgers. He helped guide the Scarlet Knights to two NCAA Tournament appearances, including the Big East Championship, and a #12 national ranking and school record 40 wins in 2000. Valli coached three All-Americans at Rutgers and two players currently in the major leagues - Jason Bergmann of the Washington Nationals and David DeJesus of the Kansas City Royals.
While obtaining a master's degree in the administration of physical education and athletic management at The College of New Jersey (1998), Valli served as a graduate assistant coach for the Lions. He helped TCNJ to the NCAA Division III Northeast Regional Finals. Valli also was an assistant coach at GCC in 1997.
He got his start in coaching as an assistant coach for the Trenton Schroths in the Mercer County American League League. Valli also was an assistant at St. Mark's High School (1993-94) in Wilmington, Del. and helped lead the team to the 1994 Delaware State Championship. Valli also spent time as an assistant coach at South Brunswick High School (1995-96). A native of Trenton, N.J. (McCorristin Catholic High School), Valli resides in Philadelphia.
To contact Coach Valli, call 215-204-8639 or email rvalli@temple.edu.
