By Deshawn Pouper, Staff Reporter
In the world of sports, there’s something special about watching family relationships play out in real time, especially when the relationship is particularly close. Take Los Angeles Lakers all-star Lebron James and his son, Lakers rookie Lebron “Bronny” James, Jr. Bronny has practically grown up in NBA locker rooms, and now that he actually shares one with his father, the Lakers have added a unique element to their team dynamic.
Successful teams often demonstrate a family dynamic as they play together – they move in sync, they feud, they make up, and they refocus their efforts toward a common goal. This not only is the case for players, but also administrative and coaching staff – including at CSUDH.
Jim and Jared Maier know this all too well.
The father-son duo has been at the helm of the Toros softball squad for the past four years as head coach and assistant coach, respectively. For three out of those four seasons, they have led the team to the NCAA Division-II National Championship playoffs, including a finals appearance in 2022.
Softball runs in the Maier family. The elder Jim started his career in 1982 and has coached amateur players at every level, including kindergarteners. His first run as head coach lasted from 2000 to 2015. He returned to the team in 2019, following a four-year stint as the head coach at CSU-San Bernardino.
Just like Bronny James, the 24-year-old Jared was practically raised on the diamond alongside his dad. As a high school baseball player at St. Paul High School, he was named second-team all-league. Even from his days as a Little Leaguer, Jim knew his son was destined to join what he called, “the family business.”
“I grew up my whole life being around the game of softball, and being around his teams specifically,” said Jared during an interview with The Bulletin. “I would even miss Friday school to travel with the team and go on road trips.”
When the time came to hang up his cleats, Jared didn’t hesitate to follow in his father’s footsteps and join him on the diamond.
Assistant coach Katie Garcia has known Jared since those early days. As a Toro outfielder, she played under the elder Maier from 2007 to 2010. She told The Bulletin coaching was a natural fit for Jared, “because he was literally born into it.”
Jim and Jared still ride up and down the road together – in addition to games, that means commuting from home to campus for practice. According to Jim, the time he gets to spend with his son is a “dream come true.”
As Jim nears the twilight of his coaching career, he started to lean more on his assistant coaching staff, which also includes former All-American Toro pitcher Stephanie Jimenez. Jim said Jared oversees the team’s offensive and defensive strategies.
In the years to come, Toros will see whether the younger Maier employs his father’s coaching style and philosophy – and the elder Maier can’t wait to watch that journey unfold.
“[Jared] adds to it now, he does things that I would’ve never even thought of … he’s more analytical,” Maier said. “He’s way ahead of me from my beginnings.”
