Academy of Art University Athletics

Brian Guinn, a former shortstop of the minor league affiliates of the Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs, and Chicago White Sox, enters his fifth year at the helm of Academy of Art University Baseball after joining the program in 2009.

Guinn helped the Urban Knights achieve their most overall victories in program history in 2013 and also guided the team to its most Pacific West Conference victories in 2010. During Guinn's service at Academy of Art University, five athletes have captured PacWest post-season honors along with six PacWest Academic All-Conference Team honorees and, in 2012, Guinn would coach the first ART U athlete to be drafted by a professional sports organization (Zach Babitt drafted by Los Angeles Dodgers in 10th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft).

Guinn brings a wealth of collegiate and minor league playing experience as well as coaching success at the high school level.

The Berkeley High School Varsity basketball and baseball thrived with Guinn at their respective helms. From 2004-2005, Guinn’s BHS baseball team achieved back-to-back ACCAL League Championships while his BHS basketball team earned three consecutive ACCAL League Championships from 2007-2009.

After being drafted by the A’s in June of 1983, Guinn’s minor league baseball career highlights included three All-Star Team selections, Caribbean All-Star Team selection (Dominican Republic), Topps Player of the Month, four American Association Player of the Week honors, and captured three league championships. From 1995 to 2000, Guinn was then hired by the Arizona Diamondbacks as a professional scout-area supervisor where he evaluated amateur talent at 250 high schools and various colleges in Northern California.

Since 2000, Guinn has served president and CEO of Shortstop Management; his multi-faceted sports management/consulting business.

Guinn was a letterwinner in both baseball (1977-1979) and basketball (1978-1979) at Berkeley High School. His accolades as a Yellow Jacket included MVP, All-League, All-East Bay, and All Northern Cal for both sports before graduating in 1979. While obtaining his bachelor’s degree in sociology at UC Berkeley, Guinn played varsity intercollegiate baseball all four years there as well as two years of basketball. Guinn would then graduate in 1996 with a master’s degree in sports and fitness management from USF.

Guinn has been a part of the Academy of Art University Athletics Advisory Board since 2007. He has also been serving on the Principal’s Advisory Committee at Berkeley High School since 2004. Guinn currently resides in El Sobrante, California with his wife, Wendy, two sons, Brian and Trae, and daughter, Jasmin. Brian Guinn Jr., a graduate from UC Berkeley, is currently a prospect in the San Diego Padres organization. Trae Guinn attends UC Berkeley after having been on the varsity baseball team and a 4.0 student at Berkeley High School. Jasmin is entering her second year with the Academy of Art University women's basketball and track & field team.

Head Coach, ART U

2010 - present