Larry Lee is an American college baseball coach and former professional baseball player. He is best known as the longtime head coach of the Cal Poly Mustangs baseball program in San Luis Obispo, California.
As of 2026, Lee remains one of the most respected coaches in West Coast college baseball. His career has lasted more than four decades and includes success at both the junior college and NCAA Division I levels. Lee has built his reputation through player development, consistency, and strong fundamentals.
By the start of the 2026 season, he had entered his 24th year as Cal Poly’s head coach. His teams had earned four NCAA regional appearances, two Big West titles, and many top-four conference finishes. His work also helped turn Cal Poly into a stronger national baseball program.
| Net Worth: | $3 Million |
|---|---|
| Real Name: | Larry Patrick Lee |
| Birth Date: | December 12, 1959 |
| Age (as of 2026): | 66 Years |
| Birth Place: | San Luis Obispo, California, USA |
| Height: | 1.80 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Parents: | Tom and Ann Lee |
| Wife: | Liz |
Early Life and Birthdate
Larry Lee was born on December 12, 1959, in San Luis Obispo, California. He grew up in a sports-minded community where baseball became a major part of his life. His hometown later became the center of his coaching career, making his journey closely tied to San Luis Obispo baseball.
Lee attended San Luis Obispo High School, where he played both baseball and football. He graduated in 1979 and later earned recognition in the school’s athletics hall of fame. His early years shaped his disciplined approach to the game and gave him a strong local identity.
Family Background
Larry Lee has kept much of his family background private. However, he has publicly credited his father’s influence for helping shape his coaching path. His father coached and guided him during his younger years, which helped develop Lee’s love for teaching the game.
Lee is married to Liz Lee. The couple has a son and a daughter. Their son, Brooks Lee, became a standout baseball player at Cal Poly under his father’s leadership. Brooks was selected eighth overall by the Minnesota Twins in the 2022 MLB Draft. That father-son connection became one of the most meaningful chapters in Larry Lee’s career.
Education
After graduating from San Luis Obispo High School, Lee continued his baseball career at the college level. He played at Santa Barbara City College in 1980 and Orange Coast College in 1981. He then moved to Pepperdine University, where he played during the 1982 and 1983 seasons.
Lee earned his degree from Pepperdine in 1983. He later completed a master’s degree at Cal Poly in 1985. His education helped prepare him for a career built around coaching, leadership, and player development.
Career
Larry Lee briefly played professional baseball after college. In 1983, he played for the Utica Blue Sox in the New York-Penn League. He appeared mainly as an infielder and hit .316 during his short professional career. He later ended his playing career in the Seattle Mariners organization.
Lee soon moved into coaching. He worked as an assistant coach at Cuesta College in 1984 and 1985. In 1986, he served as an assistant coach at Cal Poly. His first major head coaching role came in 1987, when he took over the Cuesta College baseball program.
At Cuesta, Lee built one of California’s strongest community college baseball programs. He coached there for 16 seasons and recorded 460 wins. His teams won nine Western State Conference titles and reached the California Community College State Final Four four times. He also earned conference coach of the year honors eight times.
Larry Lee joined Cal Poly as its head baseball coach in July 2002. He began leading the Mustangs before the 2003 season. Over the next two decades, he changed the direction of the program. Cal Poly reached its first NCAA Division I regional in 2009. The team returned to the postseason in 2013, then hosted the San Luis Obispo Regional in 2014.
The 2014 season became one of the greatest years in program history. Cal Poly finished with a 47-12 record and won the Big West Conference title. Lee was named Big West Coach of the Year that season. The Mustangs also earned national attention after ranking No. 1 for a week by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.
Lee continued to guide Cal Poly through competitive Big West seasons. By 2026, he had led the program to 14 seasons with 30 or more wins. His teams had produced dozens of first-team All-Big West players, All-Americans, and professional signees. Many of his former players reached Major League Baseball, including Mitch Haniger, Drew Thorpe, and Brooks Lee.
In 2023, USA Baseball selected Lee to manage the Collegiate National Team. That role reflected his national standing as a teacher and leader. In 2025, he received the inaugural Wayne Graham Award for Teaching Excellence from the College Baseball Foundation. The honor recognized coaches who prepare players for life beyond baseball.
Personal Life
Larry Lee’s wife is Liz Lee. Larry Lee, the longtime Cal Poly baseball head coach, lives in San Luis Obispo with his wife, Liz. The couple has two children, Jenna Lee and Brooks Lee. Brooks is also well known in baseball and played under his father at Cal Poly before becoming a professional player.
Lee’s personal interests appear closely tied to coaching, mentoring, and developing young athletes. Former players and colleagues often describe him as organized, hands-on, and deeply committed to preparation. He is widely respected for teaching fundamentals and building strong relationships with players.
Social Media
Larry Lee does not appear to maintain a widely verified personal Instagram, X, or Facebook account for public promotion. Most updates about his career appear through Cal Poly Baseball’s official social media channels and Cal Poly Athletics. News about his milestones, awards, recruiting classes, and team results is usually shared through those official platforms.
Larry Lee Net Worth and Salary
Larry Lee’s full Cal Poly contract value has not been publicly disclosed. However, Cal Poly announced in August 2023 that his deal was extended through the 2027 season. Public payroll records list his 2022 regular pay at about $212,723, with total pay of about $216,619 and total compensation including benefits above $309,000.
His main income source is his salary as Cal Poly’s head baseball coach. His contract was later extended through the 2027 season, though full updated compensation details were not publicly listed. Lee may also earn income through baseball camps, coaching-related appearances, and institutional incentives, but no major endorsement deals are publicly confirmed.
