Graham will return to coach Okotoks in 2017

Tyler Graham will be back coaching the Okotoks Dawgs for a second season in 2017. Photo: Amanda Fewer.

Dawgs Coaching Staff to Return in 2017
Sept. 7, 2016

By Ryan van Keulen
OKOTOKS, Alta. _ Managing director John Ircandia is bringing back his Okotoks Dawgs coaching staff for the 2017 season.

The staff will again be lead by head coach Tyler Graham along with bench coach David Robb, assistant and infield coach Andy Peterson and pitching coach Jesse English.

In Graham’s first year at the helm of the Dawgs, he guided the team to a 33-14 regular season record; winning the 2016 Presidents Cup for best record in the WMBL, before a disappointing first round exit in the playoffs. The Dawgs produced five WMBL first-team All Stars and one second-team All Star as well as two selections in the MLB Draft and two subsequent signees to Minor League contracts. 

“I was very pleased with quality of coaching staff,” Ircandia said. “What college player would not want to play for coaches with their outstanding baseball credentials. All of them have either played or coached at the professional or top collegiate levels. The 2016 season was a bit of a learning year for the staff but I am confident that they are now well equipped to recruit the quality of players we need to take a run at another WMBL Championship.”

Coach Graham is a native of Great Falls, Mont. and is currently on the coaching staff at Oregon State University, where he lettered from 2003-2006. Graham helped the Beavers to a National Championship during his senior year and was also a key member of an OSU team that won back-to-back Pac 10 titles in 2005 and 2006. 

Graham was drafted by the San Francisco Giants and enjoyed a nine-year professional career making his Major League debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2012. He finished his pro career with 267 stolen bases and a .272 average with 22 home runs and 218
RBIs.

Peterson, is a native of Anaheim, Calif. and is another alumni of Pac 12 powerhouse Oregon State, where he is currently on the coaching staff. Peterson was a middle infielder on a Beavers team that earned a trip to Omaha in 2013 for the NCAA, Division 1 College World Series. Following his college
career, he was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the MLB Draft and played two seasons in
the Mariners minor league system.

English hails from Oceanside, Calif. and was drafted as a left handed pitcher out of high school in the 6th round of the 2007 MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants. English, was a teammate of Graham in the Giants organization and played six years of pro ball. He made his Major League debut on April 5,
2010 with the Washington Nationals.

Rounding out the 2016 collegiate staff, is legendary Dawgs mentor, Robb, who played at San Mateo JC and Cal-State Fullerton. He later coached in the Oakland A’s organization. In addition, he played and coached professionally in Italy and has worked with both the Italian and Canadian national teams. He served as head coach of thee Dawgs summer collegiate clubs that went on to win WMBL championships.

The Dawgs currently operate six high performance youth teams from ages 13 to 18 that have won multiple provincial, national and Perfect Game Championships; and as well as the highly successful summer collegiate club which has won four WMBL. The Dawgs of summer are currently ranked first in Canada and fourth in North America in attendance, averaging over 3,300 fans per game. 

The Dawgs home is the Seaman Stadium Complex, a $22 million state of the art facility featuring two stadiums, four diamonds, outdoor and indoor training centers.