TUCSON, Ariz. — Arizona Baseball Head Coach Chip Hale today announced the promotion of Owen Cuffe to the role of Director of Pitching Development and Recruiting.

Cuffe earned his promotion following one season with the Wildcats in 2025 while serving as the program's Pitching Strategist.

"Owen was a vital part of our success on the mound last season and we are excited to retain him on our staff in an elevated role," Hale said. "With Owen and pitching coach John DeRouin leading our pitching staff I am incredibly confident in our ability to build one of the most competitive groups in the nation."

While serving as the Wildcats Pitching Strategist last season, Cuffe aided the coaching staff in developing the pitching staff including game planning, scouting, and in-game decisions. He also created individualized player plans based on data analysis performed using NewtForce, Kinatrax, and Trackman systems.

Cuffe also ran bullpen operations during the entirety of the 2025 campaign. Under his guidance, the Wildcats bullpen led the country in FIP and boasted the 2025 NCBWA Stopper of the Year in Tony Pluta.

"I want to begin with a thank you to Coach Hale and Coach DeRouin for extending me this opportunity," Cuffe said. "We have built Arizona into a premier destination for pitching development and I am excited to continue executing on that shared vision. We have everything in place here in Tucson to continue our recent success and take the next step towards our goal of winning National Championships."

In addition to his previous duties, in his new role Cuffe will aid the Arizona coaching staff in player acquisition through advanced scouting techniques. This will include the development of systems to assess high school players, evaluate junior college and portal players, and organize the program's recruiting efforts.

Cuffe joined the Wildcats in 2025 following a four-year collegiate pitching career that included time at Abilene Christian (2021) and Saint Mary's (2022-24). The California native received a Bachelor's degree in Biology from Saint Mary's in 2023 and a Master's in Management and Technology from Saint Mary's in 2024.