Braves Adjust Coaching Roles, Name Tony Mansolino Bench Coach Under walt Weiss
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Atlanta Braves fans are seeing some shifts in the team’s coaching structure as new manager Walt Weiss finalizes his staff.The association announced Tuesday, November 11, 2025, that Tony Mansolino will serve as bench coach, a change from the previously announced role of third-base coach. This adjustment comes just four days after Mansolino’s initial hiring was made public.
Why did this happen? The Braves adjusted their coaching assignments to better utilize Tony Mansolino’s experience adn leadership qualities, ultimately naming him bench coach instead of third-base coach. This shift occurred after his initial hiring announcement, signaling a strategic refinement of Weiss’s vision for the staff.
From Interim Manager to atlanta Bench
Mansolino brings a wealth of experience to the Braves,most recently serving as the interim manager for the Baltimore Orioles in 2021. He stepped into the role on May 17, 2021, after replacing manager Brandon Hyde, and impressively guided the team to a 60-59 record despite a challenging 15-28 start under Hyde’s leadership. This demonstrated his ability to stabilize and improve a team mid-season, a quality Weiss likely values.
Weiss Completes Coaching Staff Additions
Weiss, who was promoted to manager on November 3, 2025, from his previous position as bench coach, has been diligently assembling his team. Alongside Mansolino, the Braves have announced several key additions.Tommy Watkins will take on the role of third-base coach, having previously served as Minnesota’s first-base coach from 2019-2021 and their third-base coach for the following four seasons.
The staff will also include Dustin Garneau focusing on catching instruction, Darnell coles as an assistant hitting coach, and Tony Diaz as a major league coach. Coles boasts an remarkable resume, having served as a hitting coach for milwaukee (2015-2018), Arizona (2019-2021), and Washington (2022-2025).Diaz, meanwhile, has experience with both Colorado and Minnesota in various coaching capacities.
Who is joining the Braves coaching staff? Tommy Watkins (third-base coach), Dustin Garneau (catching instruction), Darnell Coles (assistant hitting coach), and Tony Diaz (major league coach) are the newest additions. These hires represent a blend of experience from multiple organizations.
Continuity Within the Braves Organization
The Braves are retaining some familiar faces from former manager Brian Snitker’s staff, providing a sense of continuity. Hitting coach Tim Hyers and major league coach eddie Pérez will continue in their roles, offering valuable institutional knowledge to the new regime.
Last week, the team had already announced Jeremy Hefner as pitching coach, Antoan Richard as first-base coach, and J.P. Martinez as bullpen coach, signaling a thorough overhaul of the coaching staff. Garneau, 38, was Colorado’s bullpen coach last season. Diaz, 48, previously held roles with Colorado and Minnesota.
How will this impact the Braves? Weiss is aiming for a dynamic and effective team by blending established coaches with new additions. The goal is to leverage experience and fresh perspectives to guide the Braves to continued success.
What was the final outcome? Walt Weiss completed his coaching staff with a mix
