Those are just a few of the sayings that Cal State Bakersfield Head Baseball Coach Jordon Banfield tells his players to motivate them.  

 

“This isn’t a job to me,” says Jordon. “It’s my life and something that I care about. If they didn’t pay me and I could find a way to do it for free, I would,” he candidly comments. It’s not about numbers to Jordon; it’s all inspiring athletes to greatness, helping them realize their potential, and being the best they can be.  

 

“I grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and lived there with my family all the way through college,” says Jordon. “I stayed around and started coaching.” Determined not to have a “normal” job, Jordon worked at a sports bar owned by his family and got a job coaching a travel baseball team, which he really loved. 

 

This experience spurred him to co-found a sports training facility, where many of the athletes he coached went on to excel, with some reaching professional baseball. Seeking greater challenges, Jordon took a leap of faith, leaving financial stability behind to work at a Division II school in Springfield, Illinois.  

 

“I decided to see how high of a level I could coach at,” he says. “I decided to sacrifice my finances to do that.” Although he didn’t make any money coaching, it led to bigger and better things.  

 

Jordon’s sacrifices and determination began to pay off as he advanced through coaching roles across the country. At Oakland University, he transformed the baseball program, setting records and achieving unprecedented success. 

 

The opportunity to lead the team at Cal State Bakersfield came at a pivotal moment. Jordon was drawn to the program’s potential and the competitive conference it participates in, as well as the appeal of California’s climate. 

 

Why baseball as opposed to another sport? He likes that baseball has more games than other sports. As Jordon notes, “You get to play a lot more with 56 games. A football team plays 12 games, and a basketball team plays 25 games.” With baseball, there are more opportunities to compete. “Baseball also tests your mind,” he adds. 

 

This past summer, Jordon took the job at Cal State and was eager to make it the very best team that he could.   

 

Starting in mid-July, Jordon faced the challenge of quickly assembling his staff and recruiting half the team in just a month. He prioritized building a strong foundation by focusing on recruiting talented players and establishing a positive team culture. For Jordon, creating a successful program involves more than just acquiring talent; it’s about fostering character and instilling the right mindset. 

 

“You have to get the right people – the staff and the players,” he comments. “You start to establish a vision first and then a culture.” The right people will bring the right talent. “If the talent isn’t right, you don’t have a chance. If the talent is right and you have the wrong people, the culture never gets off the ground,” he reasons. It takes the right combination. 

 

His goals for the team include finishing in the top half of the conference and earning a spot in the season-ending tournament. Each day is an opportunity to lay the groundwork for long-term success. 

 

Jordon’s commitment to coaching is all-encompassing. His days are filled with practices, meetings, recruiting efforts, and team logistics. Despite the demanding schedule, it doesn’t feel like work.  

 

Outside of baseball, Jordon enjoys sports, weekend trips with his fiancé, and the occasional break from his hectic routine.  

 

“I’m not a very good relaxer,” he laughs. “I stay up late watching video on my computer of players and old games, opponents’ games, and try to get better. I try to put our guys into the best positions that I can to have success when it comes time in the spring. You work every day for something that you might not see the results for until 6 months later.”  

Jordon is particularly drawn to the unique demands of baseball, which requires consistent mental and physical performance over 56 games in the spring. He sees each game as an opportunity for his team to grow and compete. 

 

With the season opener set for February 14, Jordon looks forward to seeing the results of his team’s hard work. Under his leadership, Cal State Bakersfield baseball is poised to achieve great things, and this season marks the start of a promising future for the program.  

 

Go Runners!