The Philadelphia Phillies are entering a new chapter, and two familiar faces will no longer be part of the journey.

The Philadelphia Phillies are preparing for significant changes to their coaching staff after hitting coach Kevin Long and infield coach Bobby Dickerson were reportedly informed that they would not return for the 2027 season. According to sources who spoke with NBC Sports Philadelphia on Wednesday night, the organization is moving in a different direction following a disappointing end to the 2026 campaign.

While the Phillies have yet to officially confirm the reported departures, the decision represents an emotional moment for a team that has relied on continuity throughout much of its recent postseason run.

For Phillies fans, this is about more than two coaching positions becoming available. It is about saying goodbye to familiar faces who contributed to the team’s success, helped develop important players, and shared in the excitement of Philadelphia’s pursuit of a championship.

And as the organization prepares for another attempt at baseball’s ultimate prize, one message deserves to be heard: Thank you, Kevin Long and Bobby Dickerson, for the work you put into helping the Phillies compete.

A HEARTFELT GOODBYE TO TWO IMPORTANT MEMBERS OF THE PHILLIES FAMILY

Baseball is a team sport, but the people working behind the scenes often have an enormous influence on what happens between the lines.

Kevin Long and Bobby Dickerson were part of the Phillies’ coaching staff during a period that included several memorable seasons, a National League championship, and a trip to the 2022 World Series.

Their time in Philadelphia was not without challenges, but their contributions should not be forgotten simply because the organization has decided to make changes.

Long worked closely with Philadelphia’s hitters, helping established stars refine their approaches and supporting the development of the lineup’s offensive identity. Dickerson, meanwhile, focused on the infield, where positioning, footwork, communication, and preparation can make the difference between recording an important out and allowing an opponent to extend an inning.

Now, the Phillies appear ready to introduce new voices and fresh ideas.

That does not automatically erase the work these coaches accomplished. Instead, it signals that the organization believes a different approach is necessary to take the next step.

For a franchise with championship ambitions, gratitude for the past and determination to improve must exist together.

WHY KEVIN LONG’S DEPARTURE IS SUCH A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE

Long arrived in Philadelphia before the 2022 season and became an important figure in the development of the Phillies’ offense.

One of the strongest examples of his influence was his relationship with Kyle Schwarber. Long had worked with Schwarber in Washington before the slugger joined Philadelphia, and their connection continued with the Phillies.

Schwarber developed into one of baseball’s most dangerous power hitters in Philadelphia, becoming a major part of the team’s offensive identity.

Long also worked with stars such as Bryce Harper and Trea Turner, helping oversee an offense that remained productive during the Phillies’ successful seasons from 2022 through 2025.

However, the 2026 campaign brought a noticeable decline.

Philadelphia’s offense dropped from a .759 OPS in 2025 to .707 in 2026. Its batting average also fell from .258 to .240, reflecting the broader difficulties experienced by the lineup.

Those numbers tell an important story. A team with postseason aspirations cannot afford to experience such a significant offensive regression without examining why it happened.

The Phillies struggled to generate consistent production, and their disappointing postseason exit against the Atlanta Braves intensified questions about whether the existing offensive approach could deliver the results the organization needed.

Still, it would be unfair to place every offensive problem at Long’s feet. Coaches can prepare players, identify mechanical issues, and recommend adjustments, but the players must ultimately execute.

Injuries, individual slumps, opposing pitchers, and roster construction can all influence offensive performance.

Nevertheless, when a talented lineup repeatedly falls short of expectations, management has to consider whether a different coaching philosophy might produce better results.

For Long, the decision marks the end of an important chapter in Philadelphia. For the Phillies, it creates an opportunity to reconsider how their hitters prepare, adjust, and perform under pressure.

BOBBY DICKERSON’S EXIT RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT PHILADELPHIA’S DEFENSE

Dickerson’s departure carries a different significance because his responsibilities centered on the infield.

During his time with the Phillies, he worked with several important players, including Alec Bohm, Bryce Harper, Bryson Stott, and Trea Turner.

His work included helping Bohm improve at third base and supporting Harper’s transition from the outfield to first base in 2023.

Dickerson also worked with Turner during a period when the shortstop made considerable defensive progress.

Turner’s defensive improvement in 2025 was particularly encouraging. However, his performance declined sharply in 2026, raising fresh questions about Philadelphia’s infield defense and the long-term configuration of its roster.

According to Statcast’s Outs Above Average metric, the Phillies’ infield went from plus-20 in 2025 to minus-11 in 2026.

That 31-out swing illustrates how dramatically the team’s defensive results changed.

Of course, an infield coach cannot control every missed opportunity. Player health, positioning, athleticism, concentration, and individual execution all influence defensive performance.

But the numbers suggest that Philadelphia’s problems extended beyond a few isolated mistakes.

The next infield coach will inherit an important assignment: help the Phillies become more reliable defensively without sacrificing the offensive production their lineup is expected to provide.

For a team hoping to win a World Series, improving defense could be just as important as adding another power hitter.

DON MATTINGLY NOW FACES AN IMPORTANT TEST

The timing of these changes is especially significant because the Phillies have retained Don Mattingly as their full-time manager.

Mattingly took over during the 2026 season and helped guide Philadelphia through a turnaround that kept the club in the postseason picture.

His return provides some continuity at the top of the coaching structure, but the reported departures of Long and Dickerson mean his staff will need to be reshaped.

That creates an important opportunity for Mattingly to establish how he wants the Phillies to play.

The next hitting coach must understand how to work with established stars while helping younger players improve their consistency. The next infield coach must be capable of addressing defensive weaknesses through preparation, communication, positioning, and measurable improvements.

Ideally, both appointments will complement Mattingly’s vision rather than simply represent a change for the sake of change.

The Phillies cannot afford to treat this offseason as a cosmetic exercise.

If management believes the team needs a new offensive philosophy and a more effective defensive system, those priorities must guide the search for replacements.

The challenge is finding coaches who can translate those ideas into better results during the regular season and, more importantly, in October.

THE PHILLIES NEED MORE THAN NEW COACHES TO WIN A WORLD SERIES

Changing coaches can help a struggling team, but it is not a guaranteed solution.

Philadelphia’s next championship push will depend on several factors, including player health, roster construction, offensive consistency, defensive execution, and the ability to perform against elite postseason pitching.

The Phillies still need their biggest stars to deliver when the pressure rises.

Harper must remain a central force in the lineup. Schwarber’s power remains an important offensive weapon. Turner and the rest of the roster must find ways to produce more consistently, particularly when opponents limit Philadelphia’s opportunities to score.

The organization must also determine whether its existing defensive alignment gives the team the best chance to succeed.

If the Phillies hire a new coaching staff but fail to address weaknesses in the roster, the changes may not deliver the desired improvement.

On the other hand, combining new coaching ideas with smart personnel decisions could give Philadelphia a better foundation for 2027.

That is the real opportunity in front of the organization.

The goal should not simply be to look different next season. It should be to become more complete, more adaptable, and more dependable when a championship is on the line.

A NEW HITTING COACH MUST FIND ANSWERS AGAINST ELITE PITCHING

One of Philadelphia’s biggest challenges is figuring out how to maintain its offensive identity without becoming predictable.

Power hitting can change a game in a single swing, but postseason opponents often have elite starting pitchers, deep bullpens, and detailed scouting reports.

When home runs become difficult to find, teams need other ways to score.

The Phillies must improve their ability to reach base, avoid unproductive at-bats, capitalize on scoring opportunities, and adjust when opposing pitchers change their approach.

A new hitting coach should not necessarily abandon the power-oriented philosophy that has helped Philadelphia succeed.

Instead, the priority should be creating a more flexible offense.

The Phillies need to remain dangerous when the home runs are not coming. They need to make opposing pitchers work, take advantage of mistakes, and find ways to manufacture runs when the game demands something other than a long ball.

That adaptability could prove decisive in a future playoff series.

If the new coaching staff can help Philadelphia become less dependent on one particular way of scoring, the benefits could extend throughout the lineup.

PHILADELPHIA FANS HAVE REASONS TO FEEL BOTH GRATEFUL AND FRUSTRATED

Phillies supporters have experienced tremendous highs during the team’s recent postseason run, but the expectations surrounding this roster have also grown.

Fans want more than a team that reaches October. They want a club capable of surviving the toughest playoff matchups and finishing the job.

That is why the reported departures of Long and Dickerson may generate mixed reactions.

Some supporters will welcome the changes after watching the offense and defense struggle in 2026. Others will remember Long’s work with Schwarber and the contributions Dickerson made to the development of Philadelphia’s infielders.

Both perspectives are understandable.

Coaching changes do not mean every decision made by the previous staff was wrong. Nor do they guarantee that the replacements will be more successful.

But a franchise with championship aspirations must be willing to evaluate its performance honestly.

The Phillies have invested heavily in building a competitive roster. Their fans deserve an organization that continues looking for ways to improve rather than assuming that past success will automatically return.

At the same time, the people leaving deserve recognition for their contributions.

Baseball is a demanding business, and sometimes even respected coaches become part of the changes necessary to move an organization forward.

WHAT COMES NEXT FOR THE PHILLIES IN 2027?

Philadelphia’s immediate priority will be identifying replacements who can improve the team’s offensive and defensive performance.

The new hitting coach will inherit a lineup with considerable power and established stars, but also questions about consistency and performance against high-quality pitching.

The new infield coach will face a different challenge: restoring confidence and reliability to a group that struggled defensively in 2026.

Mattingly’s influence will be important in both searches. His experience as a former major-league hitter and manager gives him a perspective that could help the Phillies identify coaches whose philosophies align with the team’s needs.

The organization must also determine whether additional adjustments are necessary elsewhere on the roster.

A new coaching staff can provide fresh instruction, but Philadelphia will need its players to embrace that instruction and turn it into tangible improvement.

My prediction: The Phillies will place greater emphasis on offensive adaptability and defensive fundamentals when shaping their 2027 coaching staff. If those changes are accompanied by smart roster decisions, Philadelphia could become a more balanced team.

However, if the offense continues to struggle against elite pitching or the infield remains unreliable, replacing two coaches alone will not be enough to close the gap between postseason qualification and a championship.

The real test will come when the Phillies face adversity and must prove that their new approach works.

A FINAL HEARTFELT MESSAGE TO KEVIN LONG AND BOBBY DICKERSON

Kevin Long and Bobby Dickerson may be moving on from Philadelphia, but their time with the Phillies deserves to be remembered for more than the team’s disappointing finish in 2026.

They were part of a coaching staff that helped guide the organization through some of the most exciting baseball Philadelphia has experienced in recent years.

They worked with talented players, contributed to important developments across the roster, and shared in the responsibility of pursuing a championship for a passionate fan base.

Their departures are a reminder that baseball can be an unforgiving business. Success is celebrated collectively, but when expectations are not met, difficult decisions follow.

Still, a change in direction does not erase the work that came before it.

Thank you, Kevin Long and Bobby Dickerson, for your time, dedication, and contributions to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Philadelphia may be ready for new voices, new ideas, and a different approach, but the effort invested in helping this team compete should not be dismissed.

Now, the Phillies must turn the page.

The next coaching staff will inherit a talented roster, a demanding fan base, and a championship goal that remains unfinished.

For the players, the mission is clear: make the necessary adjustments, learn from the disappointment of 2026, and give Philadelphia another reason to believe.

For the organization, the challenge is equally clear: make these changes count.

Because in Philadelphia, reaching the postseason is important, but bringing home another World Series championship is the dream that keeps the fans believing.

And that dream is bigger than any two coaching departures.