Avila serves as UCSD's pitching coach while assisting with recruiting and coordinating camps.

In his first year in La Jolla, Avila guided a staff that ranked third in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) and 57th nationally in the NCAA Division II with a 3.88 ERA. The Tritons won their fourth successive CCAA regular-season and tournament titles. Junior ace Ryan Goodbrand posted an unblemished 11-0 record to earn All-America honorable mention, while three senior pitchers, Jeff Rauh, Elias Tuma and Tony York, were offered professional contracts at the end of the season.

Prior to joining the Tritons, Avila was the head coach at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Fla., from 2005-10, where he led the Sailfish to two National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) South Region championships in four seasons. He was named the NCCAA South Region Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2009. In both of those years, the Sailfish finished ninth in the NCCAA. During his tenure, Avila coached one All-American and 22 all-region selections. Three players went on to sign professional contracts.

In 2010, Avila was also an assistant athletics director for operations at Palm Beach Atlantic. He was the school's head strength and conditioning coordinator from 2005-10 as well. Avila began his coaching career in 2001 as an assistant at Mendocino College in Ukiah.

Avila's baseball career spanned both the collegiate and professional levels. He garnered all-region distinction at Fresno City College (1997) and was a two-time All-NAIA Independent pick at The Master's College (1998-99). In 1999, Avila was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 18th round. He spent five years in the minor leagues, including time with the Double-A Reading Phillies.

Avila earned a bachelor's degree in physical education in 2002 from Santa Clarita's The Master's and a master's degree in the same field from Azusa (Calif.) Pacific University in 2005.

Avila's wife, Bethany, was a standout volleyball player at The Master's. They reside in Oceanside with their two daughters, Violet (9) and Elaina (6), and are expecting a third child this July.