Mike Coombs returns for his eighth season at the helm of the Newport Gulls since taking over as field manager in 2005. Coombs owns a career regular-season record of 195-97 and has guided the Gulls to a pair of NECBL titles during his tenure.

Last season, Coombs led the Gulls to 29-13 record, the best in the NECBL, during the regular season and their fourth straight Eastern Division title before the Gulls were defeated by the Laconia Muskrats in the first round of the NECBL playoffs.

The ever-colorful Coach Coombs has an extensive background in baseball, playing as a catcher and outfielder for Seminole Community College, in the Shenandoah Valley Collegiate League and professionally for the Detroit Tiger organization. He has coached at the high school, collegiate and professional levels, including as a pitching coach with the University of South Florida and the Milwaukee Brewers organization.