Jason ‘Gru’ Grubaugh
Coach Gru is a retired United States Air Force veteran who proudly served from October 1997 through November 2017. Following a distinguished 20-year military career, he has continued to dedicate his time and passion to developing young athletes through baseball coaching and mentorship.
With more than 16 years of coaching experience, Coach Gru has worked with players at nearly every level of the game, from coach pitch and youth recreational leagues to select travel teams, middle school, and high school baseball. His lifelong love for baseball began as a youth growing up in Kennewick, Washington, before moving to Redding, California during his middle and high school years.
After high school, Coach Gru earned a scholarship to return to the Northwest and play baseball at Yakima Junior College. Unfortunately, an early-season knee injury cut his college playing career short. However, his passion for the game never faded. A few years later, he continued competing in Spokane, Wa baseball leagues, where his talent and dedication opened doors to opportunities with Kansas City Royals minor league affiliate tryouts.
Throughout his coaching career, Coach Gru has helped players develop both on and off the field. He coached middle school baseball for two years and later spent nearly a decade coaching his own son from ages 4 through 13, guiding teams ranging from beginner youth programs to competitive select and traveling teams.
Coach Gru also coached high school baseball in Omaha, Nebraska for three seasons, serving as the JV Head Coach and Varsity Assistant Coach. In addition to his in-season duties, he led offseason strength and conditioning programs for athletes during the fall and winter months. His most recent coaching role was with Timberline High School in Lacey, Washington during the 2017 fall baseball season, where he was invited to remain full-time and lead the baseball program during a coaching transition. Due to professional travel commitments at the time, he was unable to accept the position.
Today, Coach Gru is excited to once again share his passion and knowledge of baseball with young athletes. He believes baseball, like many sports, teaches valuable life lessons through both success and adversity. His coaching philosophy centers on strong fundamentals, consistent effort, mental toughness, and player development at every level. Coach Gru understands that every athlete is unique, and he strives to help each player maximize their individual abilities, confidence, and love for the game.
