Phillies Dismissed Coaches Kevin Long and Bobby Dickerson
The Philadelphia organization announced significant changes to its coaching staff following a season of subpar metrics.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Baseball
Live Poll
Do you support the coaching staff changes made by your local professional sports team?
The Philadelphia Phillies dismissed hitting coach Kevin Long and infield coach Bobby Dickerson on Wednesday. The team also confirmed that manager Don Mattingly will remain with the organization for the upcoming season.
Why it matters
The staff departures follow a season marked by low defensive metrics for the Philadelphia Phillies. The front office is restructuring its coaching staff while maintaining continuity in the manager position.
The changes were announced following a season defined by low defensive metrics for the Philadelphia roster. The coaching staff shake-up involves the departures of two primary coordinators who joined the team after the 2021 season.
The players
Kevin Long
He served as the hitting coach for the Philadelphia Phillies starting in 2022.
Bobby Dickerson
He was the infield coach for the Philadelphia Phillies following his departure from the Orioles.
Don Mattingly
He is the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies who has been retained for the upcoming season.
Dave Dombrowski
He is a high-level executive for the Philadelphia Phillies scheduled to address the media.
The details
Kevin Long served as the hitting coach since 2022, while Bobby Dickerson held the infield coach role since joining after the 2021 season. The Philadelphia Phillies made the decision public on Wednesday morning.
Timeline
Bobby Dickerson concluded his tenure with the Orioles after the 2021 season.
Kevin Long joined the Philadelphia Phillies staff at the start of the 2022 season.
The Phillies announced the coaching staff changes on October 14, 2026.
Dave Dombrowski is scheduled to address the media at 10:30 on October 15, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The decision to remove long-standing coaches indicates a shift in the Philadelphia Phillies' approach to improving performance after a season of struggle. This roster-adjacent move sets the stage for how the organization will balance its existing management with new coaching personnel.
The departures of Long and Dickerson necessitate a total overhaul of the Phillies' hitting and infield instruction strategies before the next season begins. These vacancies create immediate questions regarding which specific philosophical adjustments the new hires will bring to the clubhouse.
The takeaway
The Philadelphia organization is prioritizing a shift in field-level instruction following recent performance gaps. Implementing these changes early allows the front office time to recruit new staff before critical off-season training begins.
What happens next
Dave Dombrowski will address the media regarding the coaching changes on October 15, 2026, at 10:30.
Further reading
For more on the latest team updates, visit Philadelphia Baseball.
Live Poll
Do you support the coaching staff changes made by your local professional sports team?
