Redwood 
Coaching Staff

Coach Jim Rey is a longtime fixture in the Redwood Baseball program, known for his steady leadership and deep understanding of the game. With years of experience, Rey plays a key role in player development, game strategy, and team culture. His calm demeanor and strong rapport with student-athletes make him a trusted mentor and teacher within the program. Beyond his contributions at Redwood, Rey serves as the 14U Head Coach for Marin Baseball, a travel baseball program focused on developing young athletes.  His involvement at multiple levels of the sport underscores his commitment to nurturing talent and instilling a strong work ethic in players

Joel Russo is a Marin native and has been an assistant coach for Redwood High School’s varsity baseball team for over 10 years. A graduate of Marin Catholic High School, Russo played three years of varsity baseball under coach Mike Firenzi, contributing to MCAL and NCS championships during his freshman year. Post-graduation, he played baseball in Italy, at the College of Marin, and then played semi-pro before transitioning into coaching. Russo emphasizes building strong relationships with his players, driven by the belief that every coach leaves a lasting mark—just as his own coaches shaped who he is today—and aims to pass on not just baseball skills, but values and lessons his players will carry for life.

Tim Grayson brings over 40 years of coaching experience to the Redwood Giants baseball program. Before joining Redwood, he served as the varsity head coach at Tamalpais, San Rafael, and Marin Catholic High Schools. During his tenure at Marin Catholic, Grayson led the team to consecutive Marin County Athletic League (MCAL) and North Coast Section (NCS) championships in 2011 and 2012.  He is known for instilling values of hard work, discipline, and teamwork in his players. His dedication to the sport and to mentoring young athletes is an invaluable asset to the Redwood baseball program.

James “Mick” Lippitt is a Sonoma-born catcher turned coach who now guides Redwood High School’s freshman program. At Justin-Siena High he earned All-League honors all four years, and was voted team MVP as a senior. In college he played two seasons at Santa Rosa JC before transferring to the University of San Diego. As a Torero, he hit .275 and was awarded the Team Hustle Award. Following college, Lippitt played professionally for the Sonoma County Crushers before transitioning into coaching, where he served as assistant coach at San Francisco State University and head coach at Terra Linda High School before joining Redwood. He still keeps his spikes on today, competing in the Tri-Valley Men’s Senior Baseball League, one of California’s top adult circuits . 

A standout at Northwestern University, Smith earned First Team All-Big Ten honors in 1993 and was named Mizuno National Collegiate Player of the Week after throwing a no-hitter against Penn State that same season. His collegiate success led to his selection by the New York Yankees in the 4th round of the 1993 MLB Draft. Smith went on to play five seasons in the Yankees’ minor league system, reaching Double-A with the Norwich Navigators. Prior to his collegiate and professional career, Smith was a key member of the Midland Redskins, contributing to their Connie Mack National Championship in 1991 and earning Midwest Regional MVP honors. His extensive background at both the amateur and professional levels provides invaluable insight and mentorship to Redwood’s developing players.

Ted Meyer Jr. is a 1995 Redwood alumnus and four-year varsity starter who helped lead the Giants to multiple MCAL titles during the early 1990s. A lifelong Corte Madera resident, Meyer has been a fixture in Marin youth baseball for over 13 years, coaching and serving on the board of Twin Cities Little League. In 2023, he managed the TCLL 10U All-Star team to a California State Championship and was honored with the league’s annual “Ted Meyer Tournament” bearing his father's name. He is also deeply connected to the community legacy of Joe Wagner Field - built in part by his father, Ted Meyer Sr., who still maintains the field today. Now part of Redwood’s freshman coaching staff, Meyer brings a teaching style that helps players embrace the pursuit of perfection - while understanding that perfection itself is never the goal.

Deryk Lee is a Redwood High School alumnus (Class of 1987) and a longtime contributor to Marin’s youth baseball programs. He has coached at various levels, including Corte Madera Little League and Twin Cities Babe Ruth. Lee is also a veteran firefighter with the San Francisco Fire Department, bringing discipline and a commitment to service to his coaching philosophy.