The 2016 Vermont Lake Monsters coaching staff will have a familiar look as manager Aaron Nieckula and pitching coach Carlos Chavez return for a second straight season, while 2013 hitting coach Lloyd Turner returns to Vermont after two years with Single-A Beloit. The announcement was made by the Oakland Athletics today with the release of their entire Minor League coaching assignments.
Nieckula, who also serves as Oakland's Minor League Field Coordinator, returns to Vermont for a second straight season after leading the 2015 New York-Penn League Lake Monsters to their fourth straight 33-win season. The 2016 season will be Nieckula's 11th year as a manager in the Athletics organization, which includes managing the 2014 Double-A Midland RockHounds to the Texas League championship.
Chavez also returns for his second straight year as Lake Monsters pitching coach after serving in the same role for the Arizona League Athletics in 2013 and 2014. Turner, who served as hitting coach for the Midwest League Beloit Snappers the past two seasons, comes back to Vermont for his second stint as Vermont's hitting coach.
2014-15 Lake Monsters hitting coach Tommy Everridge will serve in the same capacity with the High Single-A Stockton Ports in the California League, where he will join 2011-13 Vermont manager Rick Magnante and 2014 pitching coach Steve Connelly.
Rounding out the 2016 Vermont field staff will be Toshi Nagahara, returning for his fourth straight year as Lake Monsters athletic trainer, and Omar Aguilar in his first year as Strength & Conditioning Coach.
The Lake Monsters 2016 season begins June 17th at Lowell, while the home opener is scheduled for Sunday, June 19th vs. Connecticut.