Phillies

Phillies Hire Don Mattingly as Bench Coach

By Luke Arcaini

Published: Jan 5th, 2026 · 9:24 AM EST

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The Phillies have have hired Don Mattingly as their new bench coach for the 2026 season, the team confirmed just moments ago.

The Phillies have hired Don Mattingly as bench coach on the major league coaching staff.

Welcome to Philly, Don! pic.twitter.com/tKno3xO9F4

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) January 5, 2026

Mattingly, 64, also known as “Donnie Baseball,” has been around the sport for decades. He spent a couple years in the early 2000s as a special instructor for the Yankees after his playing career. He followed it up by joining Joe Torre’s staff with the Dodgers in 2008, and took over for Torre as manager in 2010. Mattingly then managed the Marlins from 2016 until the 2022 season, then headed to Toronto, where he served as bench coach all the way until the end of this past season.

It’s a great get for the Phillies. Mattingly has a great past relationship with Phillies manager Rob Thomson, and is one of the best minds that baseball has ever seen. Whether you agree with the decision to keep Rob Thomson or not, everyone can agree that a new voice on the coaching staff certainly can’t hurt the team.

How big is this in the Bo Bichette sweepstakes? I can’t imagine it would hurt. Mattingly and Bichette have had a good relationship for years. The Phillies have reported interest in the free-agent infielder, as do a lot of other teams across the league.

Mattingly will work under his son, Preston, who is the General Manager of the Phillies. The team and Mattingly have had mutual interest for months, and the deal is officially done.