Lee Tunnell moves to a volunteer coach for the Rattlers in 2026 after serving as the team's pitching coach in 2025.

Tunnell brought a wealth of experience with him to St. Mary's, including the previous 12 seasons as a major league coach, working with the Texas Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds. During his 12 seasons, Tunnell developed eight Major League All-Stars and two Rolaids Relief Award Winners. Both Milwaukee and Cincinnati reached the playoffs with Tunnell on staff.

He also spent the 2007-08 season as a professional scout, serving as the director of international scouting for the Softbank Hawks and the Pacific Rim Scout for the Reds. 

Tunnell was drafted in the Second Round by the Pittsburgh Pirates, playing in the MLB for six years. In 1983, he led the NL in consecutive scoreless innings (29) and was third in shutouts. In 1987, he pitched two games in the World Series for the St. Louis Cardinals with a 2.08 ERA. He also played three years in the Japanese Major Leagues for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks.

He played collegiately at Baylor (1978-81) before being drafted and went back to complete his bachelor's degree at Wisconsin Lutheran in 2018.