Mike Callia’s path through Northwest baseball is taking him to Montlake.
The Renton native announced Tuesday that he is joining the Washington baseball staff. Callia identifies his new role on social media as assistant coach, while UW currently lists him as field coordinator.
Whatever the title, it is another move up the ladder for a young coach whose baseball roots run deep throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Callia graduated from Kentridge High School in 2018 before heading south to Lower Columbia College.
Now, less than a decade later, he is headed to the Big Ten.
Three Titles at Lower Columbia
Longview has played a major role in Callia’s baseball career.
He spent three seasons playing for Lower Columbia and was part of the Red Devils’ 2019 NWAC championship team as a freshman.
After finishing his college career at West Texas A&M, Callia eventually returned to LCC as a coach.
He spent four seasons on Kurt Lupinski’s staff, most recently serving as pitching coach and recruiting coordinator.
And the winning continued.
Callia was on staff when Lower Columbia won the 2023 NWAC championship. The Red Devils returned to the top again in 2026.
That gives Callia three NWAC championships with LCC — one as a player and two as a coach.
His work with the pitching staff also earned plenty of recognition.
Lower Columbia led the NWAC with a 2.66 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 2025. Callia was named both the West Region and NWAC Assistant Coach of the Year.
A Familiar Name Around the Northwest
Callia’s connections stretch well beyond Longview.
He spent the summers of 2023 and 2024 as pitching coach for the Wenatchee AppleSox in the West Coast League.
Wenatchee reached the postseason in both seasons. In 2024, the AppleSox won the North Division championship and advanced to the WCL championship game.
Callia stepped away from Wenatchee after that season as his responsibilities at Lower Columbia grew.
He remained involved in the Northwest baseball scene during the summer of 2025, coaching a Washington Southwest team at Baseball Northwest’s Northwest Championships in Centralia.
Callia’s coaching career actually began in summer ball. He helped the Western Nebraska Pioneers win the inaugural Independence League championship in 2022.
From Renton to Longview, Wenatchee, Centralia and now Seattle, Callia has spent most of his baseball life around the Northwest.
That makes his move to Washington especially interesting for PNW baseball followers.
The Huskies are adding a coach who already knows the region and has spent years working with players throughout the Northwest.
And for Callia, the climb continues close to home.
From Kentridge to Lower Columbia and now Montlake, the next chapter comes with the Dawgs.