BERKELEY – David Esquer, who served for 18 seasons as the head coach of Cal baseball and guided the Bears through a storybook run to the 2011 College World Series, has stepped down as head coach, Director of Athletics Mike Williams announced Friday.
 
Esquer has stepped down in order to accept the head coaching job at his alma mater, Stanford, where he will succeed longtime coach Mark Marquess, who retired following his 41^st season on the bench. The starting shortstop on Stanford's 1987 College World Series team, Esquer returns to the South Bay to succeed his coaching mentor.
 
"In 18 years as head coach, David Esquer has represented this University with the highest of integrity and character.  He has worked tirelessly to ensure Cal baseball is not only among the most competitive in the Pac-12 on the field but also in the classroom and in the community," Williams said. "We certainly understand the emotion of returning to coach his alma mater.  We thank him for his incredible dedication to the student-athletes in this program as well as the greater Cal Baseball community during his tenure in Berkeley."
 
Named the National Coach of the Year after the Bears' run to Omaha in 2011, Esquer compiled a 525-467-2 record as head coach at Cal. He led the Bears to an NCAA Regional five times and was named Pac-10 Coach of the Year once (2001). Esquer ranks third on the program's list of all-time wins.
 
During that run, Esquer led the Bears to a season in 2011 that will be forever remembered in Cal baseball history. After an initial decision to discontinue the program due to pressure on the University's budget, Esquer and the Bears rallied together to produce an unforgettable year that ended at the College World Series. A thrilling comeback win over Baylor at the Houston Regional and a sweep of Dallas Baptist in the Super Regional sent Cal to Omaha for the first time since 1992.
 
That season also helped solidify the future of the program and, together with the establishment of the Cal Baseball Foundation, Esquer continued the long tradition of a program that owns two NCAA titles including the first-ever College World Series championship in 1947. 13 Bears have earned All-America honors during his time as Cal's skipper and two – Tony Renda in 2011 and Brett Cumberland in 2016 – have been named Pac-12/10 Player of the Year.
 
Esquer's ability to send players on to professional careers also played a key role in his success at Cal. In 18 seaons, 81 Golden Bears have been selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Four Cal products – Mark Canha, Andrew Knapp, Marcus Semien and Tyson Ross – are currently on major league rosters.
 
"It's obviously hard to leave a place you put 18 years of your heart and soul and energy into building," Esquer said. "I take pride in the fact that our efforts have left the program better off. I know this program is headed for immediate success and success that will last. I'd like to thank the Cal baseball community, especially the players, alumni, coaches, staff and in particular the Cal Baseball Foundation, that have given me so much support during my time in Berkeley. I'm extremely proud of helping our young men achieve success not only as professional baseball players but also in a number of other important and impactful professions. The value of what we do as a college coach comes in helping young men move on in life, not just in baseball and I think we've been successful in that regard here at Cal."
 
Named on June 10, 1999 as the 10^th coach in program history, Esquer has helped Cal baseball make tangible improvements off the field as well. During his tenure, new lights and a video scoreboard have been installed at Evans Diamond as well as the Carl Van Heuit Training Center, which provides the Bears with indoor batting cages, bullpens and workout facilities.
 
Cal will begin a national search for its next head coach immediately. Brad Sanfilippo will serve as the interim head coach until a new coach is chosen.