The Los Angeles Dodgers have largely been able to keep their coaching staff together in recent years despite other teams interviewing several members for potential promotions.
The team did lose former first base coach Clayton McCullough, who was named manager of the Miami Marlins after the 2024 season.
McCullough was replaced by Chris Woodward, who returned to the Dodgers organization in 2023 after a stint as manager of the Texas Rangers.
It appears the Dodgers are losing another member of their coaching staff to the Marlins as catching coordinator Craig Driver is set to be named Miami’s new first base coach, via Craig Mish of SportsGrid:
Marlins will name Craig Driver as their new first base coach. He comes over from the Dodgers where he was Catcher Coordinator. Also previously spent time as first base coach with the Cubs on David Ross’ staff.
— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) November 19, 2025
Driver is replacing Tyler Smarslok as Marlins first base coach. He left the organization to become the new field coordinator for the Washington Nationals.
Driver and McCullough are plenty familiar with each other as they worked together on the Dodgers coaching staff in 2024.
Prior to joining the Dodgers, Driver served as Philadelphia Phillies’ bullpen catcher and receiving coach during the 2018-2019 seasons.
Driver also had a stint with the Chicago Cubs as their first base and catching coach during the 2020-2023 seasons.
Craig Driver’s baseball background
Driver played at Columbia Basin College and the University of Puget Sound before receiving his first coaching opportunity at the latter in 2011.
Driver also spent time at Central Washington University and Yale University before receiving his first professional coaching opportunity with the Phillies.
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