The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs announced their 2026 coaching staff on January 8, 2026, in Waldorf, Md., featuring returning hitting coach Jason Camilli and new bench coach Albert Gonzalez under manager Brett Jodie. The appointments follow Jodie’s hiring as the team’s ninth manager in December 2025, succeeding longtime manager Stan Cliburn who stepped down after the 2025 season.
General Manager Christian Heimall highlighted the staff’s potential for success. “When we hired Brett, we knew we wanted to put the best group around him to succeed on the field,” Heimall said. “This staff does that. I’ve seen Bert’s success in recruiting and his coaching style up close in High Point and having got to know Jason, the respect the players have for him is huge. I’m confident that this trio checks every box needed to put a championship caliber roster together in Southern Maryland.”
Jodie expressed enthusiasm for the group. “We are extremely fortunate as an organization to have such a great staff. Our ownership is dedicated to providing the best. Our GM Christian is working along with CEO Charles Garramone and COO Byron Sackett and to make sure that happens. Everyone is committed to making Southern Maryland the best. I am personally excited to be a part of it and thrilled with the staff that has been constructed. I Look forward to getting on the field soon!”
Camilli returns for his second season with the Blue Crabs after serving as hitting coach in 2025 under Cliburn. The former Philadelphia Phillies assistant hitting coach brings 20 years of experience, primarily in affiliated baseball with organizations including the Washington Nationals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds, and Oakland Athletics. During his MLB tenure in 2022 and 2023, the Phillies reached the World Series and consecutive National League Championship Series, capturing one pennant.
“Jason brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our organization that is unmatched. I will lean heavily on his expertise with the hitters. The guys love him and are familiar with him and everyone is pumped he is coming back, including me,” Jodie said. “Jason is a true professional who will get the most out of his guys. He has great work ethic and I can already tell he builds a relationship with each individual player that is unique. The guys respect him and love him, and we are thrilled to have him.”
Camilli shared his excitement. “I’m extremely grateful and excited to be back in Southern Maryland for another year. I’m highly motivated on the momentum from last year and pushing forward as we work to sustain a winning culture and ultimately bring home a championship,” Camilli said. “I want to sincerely thank Charles and Byron for their continued confidence in me and am thankful for Christian and Brett for the opportunity to return. I’m fired up to get back to work and will do everything on my end to help build an offense that’s tough to navigate, fully prepared every night, and relentless in competing every pitch of every at bat for 27 outs.”
A second-round draft pick by the Montreal Expos in 1994, Camilli played nine professional seasons as an infielder before transitioning to coaching.
Gonzalez joins the Blue Crabs for the first time, also serving as assistant general manager of baseball operations. His background includes managing the New York Boulders in the Frontier League to a playoff berth in 2020 and leading the BR Bandits to a Liberation Professional Baseball League championship. He spent multiple seasons with the High Point Rockers as bench coach, director of player procurement, bullpen coach, and bullpen catcher in 2019 and 2021. Off-season roles have included catching coach at High Point University and assistant coach at Greensboro College.
“I am incredibly excited and grateful for the opportunity to join the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs organization,” Gonzalez said. “I want to sincerely thank Brett Jodie, Christian Heimall, and the ownership group for believing in me. I’m excited to get to work and do everything I can to bring a championship to Waldorf.”
Jodie praised Gonzalez’s versatility. “Bert brings a ton of experience from the Atlantic league as a bench coach and also has managed in independent ball,” Jodie said. “His network stretches wide so he will be extremely valuable in finding some top players for the Blue Crabs. He is like a Swiss Army knife with coaching and can help anywhere that is needed and we will use his skills in many ways. Bert brings so much knowledge about the game to our staff. He also loves to get to know the guys and I have personally seen the bond he creates with the players.”
Gonzalez founded Indy Ball Jobs to assist young players in securing independent baseball contracts, with nine participants later signed to World Baseball Classic teams. He previously served as head coach at Monroe College and assistant at Felician University and Yeshiva University.
The Blue Crabs, members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball’s South Division, play home games at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Charles County. The team represents Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s counties, drawing fans from across Southern Maryland. In 2025, the Blue Crabs finished with a strong record, building on prior playoff appearances. The Atlantic League, an MLB partner league, features former major leaguers and prospects.
Ownership remains committed to community engagement and competitive play. Additional 2026 roster announcements are expected via team social media and the official website.
