COACHING STAFF
RUSS BURROUGHS
- Field Manager
- russ.burroughs@hotmail.com
Returning for his sixth season in 2026, Russ Burroughs is the all-time winningest coach in Wilmington Sharks history. His developmental track record ranks among the best in the CPL: over the past seven years, 50 players he has coached have signed professional contracts, 8 have competed in the College World Series, 5 have represented their countries in the World Baseball Classic, and 28 have earned All-CPL First or Second Team honors.
The Sharks advanced to the CPL Playoffs in 2025, marking their third consecutive postseason appearance (2023–2025). Under Burroughs, Wilmington has established itself as one of the league’s most consistent performers, finishing inside the top six of the 15-team CPL every season and winning the Eastern Division Championship in two of the last three years (2023 and 2024).
The 2025 season followed the momentum of a landmark 2024 campaign, during which Wilmington captured the CPL Championship—the franchise’s first league title since 1999. The Sharks recorded 30 wins, only the fifth 30-win season in team history. The 2024 pitching staff ranked top three in nearly every major statistical category.
In 2023, the Sharks reached the playoffs for the first time since 2017 and claimed the Eastern Division Championship. That pitching staff finished top three in ERA, runs allowed, earned runs, hits allowed, and opponent batting average.
Burroughs’s teams also excelled on the mound in 2021 and 2022. The 2022 staff finished top three in ERA, runs allowed, earned runs, WHIP, and opponent batting average, while the 2021 staff ranked top three in runs allowed, earned runs, hits allowed, and WHIP.
Before joining Wilmington, Burroughs spent three seasons with the Edenton Steamers, serving as pitching coach in 2017 and head coach in 2018–2019.
As a player, he competed in four seasons of professional baseball, including three years in independent leagues and one in international competition, working as a spot starter, left-handed specialist, and emergency DH.
In the offseason, Burroughs serves as the Head Baseball Instructor at Nashville Baseball Academy, now entering his 19th year. He also travels internationally with Sidearm Nation as a specialty instructor.
A graduate of Lipscomb University with a degree in Mass Communications. Burroughs resides in Nashville, Tennessee.
JASON CULLEY
- Assistant Coach
Jason Culley joins the Wilmington Sharks as an assistant coach in his first year, working with hitters, outfielders, and base runners. A former Sharks player and standout collegiate athlete, Jason brings energy, experience, and a deep understanding of the game to help players develop their skills and baseball IQ. He is committed to fostering a competitive, supportive environment where athletes can reach their full potential. Jason also serves as an assistant coach at Wilmington Christian Academy.
RYAN BRYGGMAN
- Assistant Coach
Ryan Bryggman joins the Wilmington Sharks coaching staff from Buffalo, NY, and will serve as the team’s pitching coach in 2026. Before moving into coaching, Bryggman spent five years pitching for Binghamton University, where he ranked in the top five all-time in both starts and appearances on the mound. Since graduating in 2023, he has been coaching baseball at all levels in Buffalo while teaching at Nichols School.
AUSTIN SKIPPER
- Assistant Coach
Austin Skipper returns to the Sharks for the 2026 season as an assistant coach, marking his third year on the coaching staff. He served as an assistant in 2025 and was the team’s pitching coach on the 2024 championship staff. Skipper has a deep connection to the program, having spent six seasons as a player with the Sharks beginning in 2018, and holding multiple team and Coastal Plain League records. His final three seasons were under Manager Russ Burroughs, where he developed the experience and knowledge that now shapes his coaching approach.
Skipper is a proud alumnus of New Hanover High School and played at William Peace University, where he was a four-year starter and earned All-Conference honors in 2021. He completed his collegiate career at Methodist University, serving as team captain in 2023, and earned his Master’s degree in Business Administration ster’s degree in Business Administration.
ADAM CARDIN
- Assistant Coach
Adam Cardin returns to the Sharks in 2026, Cardin has been with the Sharks since the 2023 season. After helping secure the 2024 CPL Championship, Adam continues to be a steady presence across all aspects of the program. His professional baseball background and deep knowledge of the game make him an invaluable part of what we do.
Adam has now coached within the Coastal Plain League (CPL) for 10 seasons.
Adam’s intro to coaching was with the GCL Pirates in Bradenton, FL, after his playing career ended. Active in player development, he has seen over 30 former players selected in the MLB draft and worked with former MLB All Stars!
Adam is a graduate of UNCW and currently resides in Wilmington with Dugout Dog Marucci and his family.
MARUCCI
- Dugout Pup