New York, NY - Siddeeq Ali has been named acting head coach of the John Jay baseball team, effective immediately, Interim Director of Athletics Brandon Fieland announced. 
 
Clemente Sosa will remain the head baseball coach but will be stepping away from the program for the upcoming 2026 season.
 
"I have full confidence in Coach Ali to lead our program during this time," commented Fieland. "His experience, leadership, and commitment to our Bloodhound student-athletes ensure continuity and stability while Coach Sosa steps away from the program."

"Stepping away from my role as head baseball coach at John Jay College was not an easy decision," said Coach Sosa. "It was one I made after much reflection, driven by the need to prioritize important family matters. Coaching a group of young men has been incredibly rewarding. I am grateful for the trust they have placed in me and for the commitment, effort, and pride they brought to our program everyday. Watching their growth, on and off the field, has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career.

I have full confidence in the team and in the foundation we built together. These young men are determined, resilient, and continue to work hard to move the program forward. They will continue their development under a great coaching staff that is fully committed to their success. I am confident that Coach Ali's philosophy and instruction, alongside coach Robert Cruz and coach Liam Sabino, will lead the team to continued success.

Coach Ali's versatility and baseball knowledge are valuable assets that will benefit the team's growth and learning of the game. Serving as my assistant coach in the fall helped prepare him to understand the team's needs and helped shape his approach to building a competitive, winning season. I know the program is in good hands, and I look forward to watching the team continue what we started."  
 
Coach Ali brings an extensive knowledge of the sport. Ali has spent several years focusing on player development through his organizations, Empty the Tank Athletics and Power Baseball NY. Through these platforms, Coach Ali has worked closely with athletes, their families, college recruiters, and collegiate coaches to understand better what it takes to help players reach their goal of competing at the collegiate level while finding the academic and athletic environment that best suits them. His 2026 graduating class has already committed five athletes to play college baseball, with the number expected to grow before the fall of 2026.
 
"I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to lead the John Jay baseball program," said Ali. "Coach Sosa has built something special here - an environment defined by hard work, trust, and resilience. As part of the staff this past fall, I intend to continue building on those values while fostering meaningful relationships with our student-athletes that extend beyond the baseball field and support their continued success both on and off the field. The support of Coach Sosa, Brandon Fieland, Michael Sporton, our John Jay athletic staff, and our athletes has made this transition seamless, and I feel fully prepared to step into this role."
 
Before founding Empty The Tank Athletics, he served as the Business Development Office for the Baseball Center NYC, gathering and analyzing technical data while managing over multiple, high-volume accounts.
 
Additionally, Ali spent a season as the Promotions and Marketing Intern at the Brooklyn Cyclones, the Single-A minor league affiliate of the New York Mets, where he helped develop innovative marketing campaigns to drive fan engagement and boost ticket sales. During the season, he was part of the staff that received the Larry MacPhail Award, named in honor of the Hall of Famer, who was a baseball executive considered an innovator in the sport in the areas of marketing and promotion.
 
"Coach Ali is well-prepared to lead this program as acting head coach and has earned the trust and respect of our student-athletes and staff through his professionalism, leadership and familiarity with our program," added Michael Sporton, Associate Athletics Director for Facilities and Operations. "His experience ensures a seamless transition, and we are confident coach will continue to build upon our storied baseball program."
 
Ali attended the College of Mount Saint Vincent, where he was captain of the baseball team and a four-year officer of the Sports Business Club. As a member of the Dolphins, he made 53 appearances in relief while garnering four starts. He struck 66 batters in his four-year career and recorded a career-best five punchouts against Lehman back on April 18, 2017.Ali graduated with a degree in Sports Management from Mount Saint Vincent in May of 2018.
 
The Bloodhounds commence the 2026 campaign on Saturday, February 14, traveling to Penn State Brandywine for a noon doubleheader.