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Braves promote John Coppolella to general manager
Posted On Oct 02 2015
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When the Atlanta Braves dismissed former general manager Frank Wren from his duties last September, the organization decided not to fill that role.
John has done fantastic work for this organization, especially over the last twelve months, and this move keeps us in position to continue the important process that we began last October, said John Hart, who will continue as Braves president of baseball operations.
Atlanta Braves President of Baseball Operations John Hart announced today that John Coppolella has been named as the club’s General Manager.
In the end, the direction and chain of command won’t change much in Atlanta, but there is no doubt the hard-working Coppolella deserves the promotion and title of Atlanta Braves general manager.
A news conference is expected later Thursday to announce the move, which was confirmed by a person close to the situation. He has been rated as a rising star in executive ranks for several years by industry insiders and baseball publications including Baseball America.Coppolella is completing his ninth season with the Braves and third as assistant GM.
Coppolella began his baseball career in 2000 as an intern with the Yankees, just out of Notre Dame – and held down a second job at Chili’s to pay the bills before moving into a full-time role with the team. The team executed trades that sent Jason Heyward, Justin Upton, Evan Gattis, Craig Kimbrel, Jordan Walden, Jonny Gomes, Alex Wood, Jose Peraza and others to other Major League Baseball clubs within the past year. He was hired by the Braves in 2011 as the Director of Pro Scouting.
Say what you will about the moves, but Hart and Coppollela have been anything but timid. The team said Coppolella agreed to a four-year contract through the 2019 season, which will include the Braves’ first three seasons at their new SunTrust Park. The Red Sox, Blue Jays, White Sox, Phillies, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Giants and Dodgers have all moved to two-pronged partnerships at the tops of their front offiices.
