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Report: Phillies Dismiss Kevin Long and Bobby Dickerson
By Luke Arcaini
Published:
Hitting coach Kevin Long and infield coach Bobby Dickerson will not return to the Phillies coaching staff for the 2027 season, according to Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia:
The Phillies have trended downwards on offense for years, with the 2026 season being most notable. They were bottom five across baseball in multiple major offensive categories. While Kevin Long did help some Phillies change their game over the years, the writing was written on the wall for his future…for a couple years.
Bobby Dickerson reportedly will also not return, as the Phillies infield defense struggled again this year. Trea Turner, after finding something defensively in 2025, reverted back to his below average shortstop play in 2026. How much of that is on Dickerson? Nobody really knows, but defense hasn’t been a strong suit for the Phillies for five years, and it was time for change.
Don Mattingly, who was retained as Phillies manager Wednesday morning, will speak to the media on Thursday via zoom. Dave Dombrowski will meet with reporters at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday morning. If there are any other staff changes, we will hear about them then.
The Phillies will most likely look to Mattingly to fill out the holes in his coaching staff.
Luke Arcaini has been writing about the Phillies for 6 seasons, and is now in his 2nd year covering for Phillies down at Citizens Bank Park for Crossing Broad. Follow him on Twitter @ArcainiLuke