Mike Gillespie, a legendary coach, saw potential in Ben Orloff, forecasting his future as a major league or college manager thanks to his unique baseball instincts and intelligence. Now in his 12th season on the UC Irvine coaching staff and seventh as the head coach, Orloff reflects on his journey, acknowledging the rare opportunity he had to step into a paid assistant role despite lacking previous coaching experience. Under his leadership, the Anteaters have won consecutive Big West championships, reinforcing Gillespie's belief in Orloff's capabilities.
"I don't know how else to say it: His instincts, his clue, his feel for the game, his baseball IQ, is like nothing else," said Gillespie.
"Not many people get their first job ever in college with no coaching experience [and become a] paid assistant coach at a place like UC Irvine," Orloff said.
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