Zach Gitschier Promoted From Pitching Coach To Top Spot
The Norwich Sea Unicorns today have announced the new Field Manager for the upcoming 2026 season, promoting Zach Gitschier from Pitching Coach to Manager, the 5th in the Sea Unicorns history, following Eric Campbell (2021-never managed a game after being signed by the Seattle Mariners to finish his professional playing career), Devin Belenski (2021-2022), Kevin Murphy (2023-2024) and Kyle Dembrowski (2025). Murphy, who led the Sea Unicorns to 76 regular season wins, two regular season championships and two Futures League postseason titles in his two years as manager, will continue in his role as Director of Player Personnel for the Sea Unicorns.
“First, I would like to thank Kyle Dembrowski for his two outstanding seasons on the coaching staff of the Sea Unicorns,” said General Manager Lee Walter, Jr. “I continue to be excited about the future with Kevin staying on in his role and also being able to have Zach Gitschier take the reins as Manager. Zach brings several years of Futures League and college coaching experience to the position. Additionally, both Kevin and I have talked at length about the incredible job that Zach did for us last summer in helping us clinch our third consecutive championship.”
“I am thrilled and honored to be back in Norwich for the 2026 FCBL season. Last season was a truly special year for the team and I am thankful for the trust and support of our GM, Lee Walter, in guiding the Sea Unicorns,” said Gitschier. “I am confident that our coaching staff will continue the winning traditions and culture that has been established over the past three seasons. We will work tirelessly to develop our players and give them and our fans the best summer yet. Let’s make it another memorable summer in the Rose City.”
Gitschier is currently in his first season as the Pitching Coach at Division 1 UMass-Lowell. He has previously spent time at Saint Anselm College and was also with the Westfield Starfires of the Futures League for 1 season prior to joining the Sea Unicorns in 2025. Murphy is currently in his third season as the pitching coach at Division 3 Amherst College, following a season as the Volunteer Assistant Coach at Quinnipiac University to begin his collegiate coaching career. Further announcements regarding the coaching staff will be made once they are finalized.