Justin Hixson joined Head Coach Jay Sullenger's staff as a pitching coach prior to the 2015 spring baseball season. He brings with him a wealth of experience in the game and on a college campus, playing for California Baptist from 1998-2000 and holding two degrees. Hixson earned a B.A. in mass communications in 2006 and added an M.A. in sports management from CSU Long Beach in 2011.
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In Coach Hixson's first full season as pitching coach the Eagles' pitching staff had its most successful season in 3 years. Not only did did team ERA and batting average against drop significantly, but he helped guide two pitchers to GSACÂ Pitcher of the Week honors.
Following the 2016 season, one of the pitchers Hixson groomed signed a contract to play professionally. It was the first time in five years a Biola pitcher signed a professional contract. The Eagles' staff combined to throw the most shutouts in three years and helped lead the Eagles to their first conference tournament championship game.
The 2017 season was the best season yet for Biola Baseball in the Sullenger era. The team found its way into the top-25 rankings for the first time since 2011 and ended the year with a fantastic 35-18 overall record. Pitching was a key reason the Eagles landed just one game short of a conference title. Jimmy Gallarda earned the Eagles' first all-conference award for a pitcher since 2013. He led the nation in innings pitched for much of the year, while another member of his staff, Micah Beyer, led the nation in strikeouts for most of the season.
His previous coaching experience includes time as a pitching coach for Global Baseball in 2011. He served as a professional pitching instructor, by turning throwers into pitchers.
Hixson married his wife, Mindy, on Aug. 6, 2006. Together they have two daughters, Payton and Sawyer
He joined the Biola coaching staff because, "It's where I can bring my two passions together; my love of Christ and baseball."
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