At the end of the 2019 season, the Pittsburgh Pirates made big changes. They started to rebuild their entire organization, and one step was letting go of their manager of nine years, Clint Hurdle. 

They chose Twins bench coach Derek Shelton as the new head coach. The Pirates had losing records for the next five years. This year, after starting 12-26, the Pirates ended the Shelton era and promoted Don Kelly, the bench coach, to be the manager for the rest of the 2025 season.

This is Kelly’s first head coaching job, like it was for Shelton, but Kelly is doing a much better job. With Kelly, the Pirates are 52-57, which is not very good, but it is better than what Shelton ever did. 

Kelly is the best option for the Pirates now and in 2026. He is winning games and the team’s morale is higher than it has been in some time. Kelly is also a former Pirates outfielder, a Mt. Lebanon native, and he is one of the cheapest head coaching options – which is a big plus for owner Bob Nutting.

If Kelly does not get re-signed for next year, though, there are head coach options out there. 

Former Marlins Head Coach Skip Schumaker, the 2023 National League Manager of the Year, could be available. This season, he is working in the front office for the Texas Rangers. When he was a manager, he was great and would be a good, cheaper option for the Pirates.

Former Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli is also an option. After retiring from baseball, he became a catching coach for the Padres, and is now the head coach for the Italian National Team. While in Pittsburgh, Cervelli was a fan favorite, and Pirate fans would love to see him back.

In the 2026 season, hopefully the Pirates will win games, and hopefully they do it under Manager Don Kelly.