Upcoming Event: Softball versus Utah Valley on October 2, 2025 at 4 p.m.
4 p.m.
Softball
vs Utah Valley
Staff Directory
Rinard, Bobby
Bobby Rinard
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
Assistant coach Bobby Rinard was named to Gary Henderson's Utah staff in July 2025. Rinard, a longtime member of the coaching staff at Utah Tech, joins the Utes ahead of the program’s second Big 12 season in 2026.
“We are thrilled to welcome Bobby to our coaching staff,” Henderson said. “He is an extremely well-rounded baseball mind, as shown by the impact he made during his long run at Utah Tech. We look forward to having Bobby as part of our Utah Athletics family.”
Rinard (pronounced ruh-NARD) spent the last 11 seasons under Chris Pfatenhauer down in St. George, being promoted to associate head coach for his last two years. He primarily worked with outfielders, hitters and baserunners and also served as recruiting coordinator during his time with the Trailblazers.
Rinard’s time with the Trailblazers included helping the program through a transition from NCAA Division II up to the Division I level. All told, he was in the dugout for 283 victories, a conference championship and three NCAA Regional appearances. Thirty-five all-conference honors, 11 all-region selections and five all-America laurels went to position players with Rinard on staff.
“I am very thankful to Coach Henderson, Mark Harlan and Jason Greco for this opportunity,” said Rinard. “The chance to be part of a Big 12 program with a brand new ballpark on the horizon is one that I am very grateful for. I look forward to meeting our players very soon.
Rinard added, “I also want to express appreciation to Coach Pfatenhauer, the players, and support staff at Utah Tech for our time together. I will always cherish my time in St. George and wish everyone there all the very best.”
Since beginning Division I play in 2021 as a member of the WAC, the Trailblazers have recorded nine wins over Power Conference opponents, including a triumph over then-No. 6 Arizona during the 2021 campaign. Four position players picked up first-team all-conference in the WAC, including outfielder Lane Pritchard in 2021.
Rinard was in St. George for the final six seasons of Utah Tech’s Division II era and coached one of the nation’s top offenses during that stretch. As members of the PacWest and RMAC conferences from 2015-19, the team ranked top-four in batting average each year, leading the PacWest in both 2016 and ’17. The 2017 team set a program record with a .340 batting average that ranked second in the nation. It was the third straight season that netted a postseason regional appearance.
Individually, Drew McLaughlin hit .408 during the 2016 campaign to win the PacWest batting title. The following year, the Trailblazers had three players among the conference’s top-five for on-base percentage.
Defensively, the program had a .973 fielding percentage in 2015 to lead the PacWest and place in the top-10 across Division II.
Before going to Utah Tech, Rinard spent the 2014 season at his alma mater, Arizona. While there as an undergraduate assistant coach, he tutored the Wildcats’ outfielders and hitters, served as first base coach and contributed in several other aspects of the program.
Rinard’s collegiate playing career brought him to Yavapai College (2008-09) and Arizona (2010-11). He was named All-Conference in 2009 after posting a .350 batting average, 39 RBIs and team-bests with 76 hits and 53 runs scored. His time at Arizona included a pair of NCAA Regional berths as he appeared in 70 total games.
He was drafted by the New York Mets in the 43rd round of the 2009 MLB Draft, then signed a free agent contract with the New York Yankees in 2011. Rinard went on to play three professional seasons before heading to Arizona to begin his coaching career.
Rinard will be joined in Salt Lake City by his wife, Francesca. He earned his Bachelor's degree in general studies from Arizona in 2014.
“We are thrilled to welcome Bobby to our coaching staff,” Henderson said. “He is an extremely well-rounded baseball mind, as shown by the impact he made during his long run at Utah Tech. We look forward to having Bobby as part of our Utah Athletics family.”
Rinard (pronounced ruh-NARD) spent the last 11 seasons under Chris Pfatenhauer down in St. George, being promoted to associate head coach for his last two years. He primarily worked with outfielders, hitters and baserunners and also served as recruiting coordinator during his time with the Trailblazers.
Rinard’s time with the Trailblazers included helping the program through a transition from NCAA Division II up to the Division I level. All told, he was in the dugout for 283 victories, a conference championship and three NCAA Regional appearances. Thirty-five all-conference honors, 11 all-region selections and five all-America laurels went to position players with Rinard on staff.
“I am very thankful to Coach Henderson, Mark Harlan and Jason Greco for this opportunity,” said Rinard. “The chance to be part of a Big 12 program with a brand new ballpark on the horizon is one that I am very grateful for. I look forward to meeting our players very soon.
Rinard added, “I also want to express appreciation to Coach Pfatenhauer, the players, and support staff at Utah Tech for our time together. I will always cherish my time in St. George and wish everyone there all the very best.”
Since beginning Division I play in 2021 as a member of the WAC, the Trailblazers have recorded nine wins over Power Conference opponents, including a triumph over then-No. 6 Arizona during the 2021 campaign. Four position players picked up first-team all-conference in the WAC, including outfielder Lane Pritchard in 2021.
Rinard was in St. George for the final six seasons of Utah Tech’s Division II era and coached one of the nation’s top offenses during that stretch. As members of the PacWest and RMAC conferences from 2015-19, the team ranked top-four in batting average each year, leading the PacWest in both 2016 and ’17. The 2017 team set a program record with a .340 batting average that ranked second in the nation. It was the third straight season that netted a postseason regional appearance.
Individually, Drew McLaughlin hit .408 during the 2016 campaign to win the PacWest batting title. The following year, the Trailblazers had three players among the conference’s top-five for on-base percentage.
Defensively, the program had a .973 fielding percentage in 2015 to lead the PacWest and place in the top-10 across Division II.
Before going to Utah Tech, Rinard spent the 2014 season at his alma mater, Arizona. While there as an undergraduate assistant coach, he tutored the Wildcats’ outfielders and hitters, served as first base coach and contributed in several other aspects of the program.
Rinard’s collegiate playing career brought him to Yavapai College (2008-09) and Arizona (2010-11). He was named All-Conference in 2009 after posting a .350 batting average, 39 RBIs and team-bests with 76 hits and 53 runs scored. His time at Arizona included a pair of NCAA Regional berths as he appeared in 70 total games.
He was drafted by the New York Mets in the 43rd round of the 2009 MLB Draft, then signed a free agent contract with the New York Yankees in 2011. Rinard went on to play three professional seasons before heading to Arizona to begin his coaching career.
Rinard will be joined in Salt Lake City by his wife, Francesca. He earned his Bachelor's degree in general studies from Arizona in 2014.
Utah: 48 West Virginia: 14 | POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE
Sunday, September 28
Utah Soccer's Ali Swensen - ESPN+ Feature
Sunday, September 28
Utah Volleyball's Emrie Moea'i - ESPN+ Feature
Friday, September 26
Utah Soccer's Lilliah Blum - ESPN+ Feature
Thursday, September 25
