Stephen Strasburg is going back to college, this time as a coach.
Strasburg, who rose to stardom at San Diego State on his way to becoming the No. 1 pick in the 2009 MLB Draft, has joined the Aztecs program as a special assistant to the head coach, the school announced Monday.
“Stephen Strasburg is arguably the best pitcher in college baseball history, but what makes this announcement so special is how much he cares about this program, this city, and giving back to the game,” San Diego State head coach Kevin Vance said in a statement. “He’s a proud Aztec and San Diegan, and he’s never forgotten his roots.”
Strasburg was a dominant force on the college stage. An All-American in 2008 and 2009, he won every major award as a senior, including the Golden Spikes Award, National Pitcher of the Year and the Dick Howser Trophy, which is college baseball’s equivalent to the Heisman Trophy.
The Washington Nationals drafted him in 2009, and he made his big-league debut just one year later. Strasburg went on to play 13 seasons in the majors, earn three All-Star selections (2012, 2016, 2017) and led the league in strikeouts in 2014. He was named MVP of the 2019 World Series, winning Games 2 and 6 as the Nationals beat the Houston Astros in seven games.
It’s Homecoming Week on The Mesa, and what better time to celebrate the return of one our most distinguished alumni. Excited to welcome Stephen Strasburg to our staff! #GoAztecs
📰 Story: https://t.co/2443bmRiJq pic.twitter.com/CMulk4JtbW
— San Diego State Baseball (@AztecBaseball) October 27, 2025
Strasburg retired following the 2022 season and was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in June. He finished his major-league career 113-62 with a 3.24 ERA, striking out 1,723 batters in 1,470 innings.
Strasburg will follow in the footsteps of his college coach, Tony Gwynn, another San Diego State legend who went on to greatness in Major League Baseball. Gwynn played baseball and basketball for the Aztecs before going on to a Hall of Fame career as one of the greatest MLB hitters of his generation. He returned to manage the Aztecs from 2003 to 2014. Gwynn died of cancer in 2014 at 54.
“Stephen didn’t arrive on The Mesa as the individual we know today; he earned it through hard work, competing in a great culture and program built by Tony Gwynn,” Vance said. “He wants to help give our players the same opportunity and environment to grow. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome him back home to SDSU baseball.”