Dietrich was born in Stuttgart, West Germany, where his father was serving in the United States Army.

He then transferred to Pepperdine University where he pitched for the Waves, earning Honorable Mention All-West Coast Conference in 1994.

Dietrich spent three years in the Rockies' organization before pitching for the independent league team New Jersey Jackals in 1998, his final season playing pro baseball.

[5] On December 11, 2006, Dietrich was named the pitching coach at Cal State Los Angeles.

[10] On June 30, 2021, Dietrich return to Cal State Fullerton, this time as the head coach.