Coach Sonny: DiChiara returns to Auburn for fall ball

Three years after producing one of the best seasons in program history, 2022 SEC player of the year Sonny DiChiara returns to the Plains as a student assistant coach while completing his Auburn University degree.

by Jeff Shearer
Coach Sonny: DiChiara returns to Auburn for fall ballCoach Sonny: DiChiara returns to Auburn for fall ball
Grayson Belanger/AU Athletics

Sonny DiChiara

AUBURN, Ala. Sonny DiChiara is back at Plainsman Park.

Three years after earning SEC player of the year honors and leading Auburn to the College World Series, DiChiara returns as a student assistant coach while earning the final credit hours he needs to graduate next spring.

The opportunity arose this summer when DiChiara worked as an instructor at Butch Thompson’s baseball camps.

“’I’ve got class in person this fall so I’d love to be around, help out as much as I can, try to touch some guys and maybe put some knowledge into them that they didn’t have before,’” DiChiara told Thompson, who eagerly accepted Sonny’s offer.

DiChiara hopes to begin a real estate career in the spring while completing an internship required to earn his interdisciplinary studies degree in May.

“I’ll aways find my way back somehow to baseball,” he said.  “I’ll aways have lessons. The dream one day is to open up a facility of my own.”

Drafted in the fifth round by the Los Angeles Angels after becoming Auburn’s third SEC player of the year in program history, DiChiara hit 25 professional home runs over three and a half seasons, half of them in Huntsville at the Double-A level, before being released in June.

One door closes, another one opens. The end of his playing career marked the beginning of his coaching career. At age 26 with Triple-A experience on his resume and recently removed from pro ball, DiChiara connects easily with the current Tigers.

“I’m treating them like they’re my teammates, while also in a leadership position,” DiChiara said. “I was playing three months ago. ‘I might have played a game more recently than most of you did.’

“Being there for them and being a personal asset. ‘What did you think on this? What was your thought process this way?’”

Sonny DiChiara with Auburn coach Butch Thompson before a minor league game in Montgomery in 2022Sonny DiChiara with Auburn coach Butch Thompson before a minor league game in Montgomery in 2022

DiChiara’s minor league journey – the struggles and the highlights – informs his message.

“They’re here because they want to win, go to Omaha and then they want to learn what they can do for the next level,” he said.

“I tell them you’ve got to be who you are and don’t go outside of that. You’re here for a reason and if you stay true to yourself, the team is going to benefit from it, you’re going to benefit from it, you’re going to win games.

“Be who they are, that’s what I want to engrave into them for however long I’m here.”

Sonny and his wife, Gabrielle, a registered nurse, have bought a house in Opelika and plan to make Lee County their home.

From the 984 Club at Plainsman Park overlooking his old spot at first base, DiChiara reflected on his  special season on the Plains.

“We’re sitting in a stadium space that wasn’t even here,” said DiChiara, proud of the role he played in helping Auburn reach its fourth super regional and make its sixth College World Series appearance. “Knowing the impact we had on these new spaces we have, people wanting to come to the games and people wanting to be a part of Auburn baseball. We got it rolling back on the map.”

After leading the SEC in 2022 with a .383 batting average with the highest SEC on-base percentage (.549) in 10 years, DiChiara remains popular three years later, with fans frequently asking for pictures.

“That fact tells you how much these people cared and how much everybody in the stands really wanted us to win, wanted us to go to Omaha and be a light for the city and get baseball rolling,” DiChiara said.

“Since Coach Thompson has been here, Auburn has been unbelievable. The past few years, success has been crazy. The type of fans and people here who are still recognizing players like me and everybody else, it shows you where you’re at.”

 

DiChiara likes the leadership he's seen from the 2026 Auburn baseball teamDiChiara likes the leadership he's seen from the 2026 Auburn baseball team

In his short time as a student coach, DiChiara is impressed with the Tigers.

“From what I’m seeing so far, they’ve known each other for a week or two and these guys are molding together and following the lead of Lucas Steele, Chase Fralick, Eric Guevara and Chris Rembert,” he said.

“Those guys are the first ones to work, they’re the last ones to leave. With their leadership, since there’s not as many returning players, the new guys stepped in and said, ‘That’s how you’re supposed to work, that’s what you’re supposed to do.’ That’s the great thing that they’re learning to do at this point already.”

DiChiara would like nothing better than to see Auburn return to Omaha next summer, knowing he did his part this fall to help the Tigers develop, understanding what they can expect from the fanbase next spring when baseball season returns.

“Keep supporting Auburn baseball,” he said. “Keep coming out. This team is going to be special, 100 percent. I’ve only been here a few weeks and they’ve shown that they’re mature, they’re ready to learn, ready to be here and ready to go.”

In his one season on the Plains, 2022 SEC player of the year Sonny DiChiara led Auburn to OmahaIn his one season on the Plains, 2022 SEC player of the year Sonny DiChiara led Auburn to Omaha

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer