Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Eureka High head coach Tommy Gale, left, has joined the Crabs coaching staff for the 2026 season.

By Ray Hamill — A new era for the Humboldt Crabs begins later this month, with former player and assistant coach Jeff Giacomini taking over as club manager after Robin Guiver stepped down at the end of the 2025 season.

And Giacomini has been busy this spring adding to his staff for the upcoming campaign, which gets under way at the Arcata Ball Park on May 29.

Longtime assistant coach John Bryant returns along with Giacomini, while two coaches familiar to local high school baseball fans will join them in the dugout this summer.

Matt Tomlin of St. Bernard’s and Tommy Gale of Eureka have been added to the staff and both bring plenty of experience and knowledge to the collegiate summer club.

Both new coaches are former Humboldt Crabs players and have either worked alongside or against Giacomini during his tenure as Eureka High coach.

Tomlin needs no introduction to local sports fans and has been one of the most successful head coaches in H-DNL history, having led St. Bernard’s teams to two state titles in football, a first-ever state title for the league in basketball and six NorCal titles across multiple sports, including baseball.

He is the only high school coach in California history to have led teams to state titles in football and girls basketball.

Tomlin also has a long history with the Crabs and was inducted into the club hall of fame two summers ago.

In fact, he has been closely associated with the local club since serving as a bat boy with the team from 1985 to 1991.

He pitched for the Crabs from 1995 to 1998 and set a club record for most career saves.

But it’s his vast experience as a coach that will benefit the team this summer as the Crabs look to secure a first-ever Pacific Empire League title after coming close in each of the past two summers.    

“Matt brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our program,” Giacomini said. “He has an extensive and successful track record, particularly at the high school level, where he has built a reputation for winning.”

Matt Tomlin

Tomlin will work with the team’s pitchers and is excited about the opportunity to return to the Arcata Ball Park.

“I’m super excited to be joining Jeff’s coaching staff,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the summer season starting and really excited to get back in the Crabs organization.”

This will be the first time Tomlin has worked alongside Giacomini, but the two are on familiar terms after facing each other from opposing dugouts during Giacomini’s stint in charge of the Loggers.

Humboldt Crabs Baseball – Tommy Gale

“I’ve coached against him and we have a lot of respect for each other,” Tomlin said. “I was honored when he called me.”

For Giacomini, the decision to add one of the most experienced and successful coaches in HDN history was the correct call.

“Matt understands how to compete, how to prepare, and how to succeed,” the new Crabs manager said. “His confidence and experience will be a big asset to our team, especially in supporting our pitching staff and helping us navigate key situations throughout the season.”

Gale, meanwhile, was first introduced to the North Coast when he played for the Crabs during the summer of 2012.

And it was a life-changing experience.

“That’s when I discovered the area and fell in love with (Humboldt), and determined I’d move up here,” he said.

Gale moved to North Coast in 2018 and played two seasons with Giacomini and the Humboldt B-52s, before joining him at Eureka High and helping guide the Loggers to a league title in 2021.

Partnering with Giacomini again has long been on the cards.

“Jeff and I have been good friends for years and we have discussed this opportunity for many years,” Gale said. “It’s just a wonderful partnership, and I’m so excited and feel so blessed and humbled to be just offered this opportunity.”

Gale, a former San Jose State player, will serve as a hybrid pitching/hitting coach with the team this summer.

Matt Tomlin

And Giacomini is happy to be reuniting with his former assistant coach.

“We’re very excited to have Tommy on board this summer,” the manager said. “He brings a tremendous amount of knowledge about the game of baseball on both sides of the ball. Tommy was a true two-way player at the Division-I level, excelling as both a pitcher and a position player, with experience in both the infield and outfield. 

“His versatility and understanding of the game make him a valuable asset to our staff. He’ll play a key role in working with both our pitching staff and our hitters, and we’re confident he’ll make a strong impact.”

For Gale, the opportunity to coach at the Arcata Ball Park in front of a packed house of Crabs fans every night is a dream come true.

“Every local (player) dreams of playing for the Crabs, so I don’t take this lightly,” he said. “The Crabs stadium, in front of that home crowd, is the most magical experience I’ve ever experienced in baseball.

“It’s going to be a great summer.”

The Crabs begin the new season against the Novato Knicks on Friday, May 29.