Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Baseball
Donnelly, Tim
Tim Donnelly
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- tim.donnelly@mtsu.edu
- Phone:
- 615-494-7762
Tim Donnelly finished his second season as an assistant coach after another great offensive season for the Blue Raiders.
In 2018, the Blue Raiders hit .280 as a team and finished third in C-USA in runs scored (354), third in RBI (313), third in on-base percentage (.369), and fourth in home runs (50).
Under Donnelly, the 2018 Blue Raiders improved offensively in triples, home runs, and walks.
Aaron Aucker put together his best offensive year under Donnelly’s tutelage. The senior posted a .340 average, a career-high 14 home runs, and led C-USA in RBIs with 71.
The Blue Raiders were also a force to be reckoned with on the base paths, swiping a league high 75 bags on just 93 attempts.
The Blue Raiders exploded under Donnelly's instruction in 2017, improving in nearly every offensive category, including batting average, hits, runs scored, doubles, home runs, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, and stolen bases. MT ranked second in C-USA with a .306 batting average (24th in NCAA), and 606 hits (13th in NCAA).
The offense more than doubled their home run total from 2016 (18) to 2017 (46). Six starters in the MT lineup hit .303 or better after having only one do so in 2016.
MT finished the 2017 season as the only school in C-USA to have three players finish in the top eight of the conference in batting average.
Donnelly was hired as Middle Tennessee’s recruiting coordinator and hitting coach, as well as additional on-field duties, Head Coach Jim McGuire announced in July of 2016.
In addition to his responsibilities as recruiting coordinator and hitting coach, Donnelly also works defensively with Blue Raider catchers and coaches third base.
Donnelly, who spent the previous 10 seasons at Marshall, was named C-USA assistant coach of the year in 2016 after helping lead the Herd to one of its best seasons in recent history. Marshall set school records for most overall wins and conference wins in 2016.
Marshall was one of the top hitting teams in C-USA in 2016. The Herd hit .285 as a team and was second in the league in slugging percentage and their 60 home runs were second only to league champion Southern Miss.
While Donnelly has a keen understanding and knowledge of C-USA, McGuire also has been able to follow his new hire's progression from an up-close perspective.
"The recruiting part was the biggest thing," McGuire said. "Looking at (Donnelly's) track record over the last few years and then seeing it ourselves the last three years in the league has been impressive. He has brought in some quality players at Marshall, especially from the junior college ranks. He has JUCO ties all over the country and that is something we need to continue to add and get better with. He has a solid recruiting base."
In 2012, Donnelly was named Marshall’s Head Recruiting Coordinator in addition to his duties as an assistant coach. Donnelly primarily worked with the infielders and coached third base during his time at Marshall.
Donnelly has been a pivotal part in preparing his players for the next level. During his time at Marshall, 25 players were either drafted or signed as free agents with an MLB franchise, including the highest pick in school history (Aaron Blair - 36th overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks).
Other notable players include: Emmanuel Burriss, who was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the first round (33rd overall) of the 2006 amateur draft, 12th round pick to the Giants, Kenny Socorro, Drew Saylor, a 13th round draft pick by the Miami Marlins, Kevin Shackelford who was selected in the 21st round by the Milwaukee Brewers, Andrew Davis, 44th round pick by the Chicago Cubs, Isaac Ballou, 15th round pick to the Washington Nationals and Corey Bird, seventh round pick by the Marlins.
Former Marshall players who came through under Donnelly's tutelage that now play in the MLB include: Dan Straily, Aaron Blair and Kevin Shackelford.
Donnelly had the 34th-rated signing class nationally in 2011, and Marshall’s 2012 class was ranked 50th. The efforts of Donnelly’s recruiting were definitely realized in 2016 when The Herd set school records.
Prior to Marshall, Donnelly spent one year at Kent State as an assistant coach. He helped the Golden Flashes capture the regular-season championship. Donnelly’s responsibilities included working with infielders, assisting with hitting, and coaching first base. He also handled field maintenance and camp duties.
In 2005, Donnelly served as an assistant coach at Malone College, where he handled the infielders, hitting and recruiting. He also served as an assistant coach with the Stark County Terriers summer league baseball team (Great Lakes Summer League) in 2005, and helped lead the team to a league title.
His father, Rich Donnelly, has been a Major League Coach for more than 30 years and formerly the third base coach with the Seattle Mariners (2014-15). Rich Donnelly also worked with various MLB teams including the Texas Rangers (1980, 83-85), Pittsburgh Pirates (1986-1996), Florida Marlins (1997-1998), Colorado Rockies (1999-2002), Milwaukee Brewers (2003-2005), and the Los Angeles Dodgers (2006-2007). Last offseason, Rich Donnelly also served as the bullpen coach for USA Baseball, the gold-medal winners in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
Donnelly's two brothers played collegiate sports. Bubba Donnelly played four years of basketball at Robert Morris College, while his brother, Mike, was a four-year kicker on the Cumberland College football team.
Donnelly earned a bachelor's degree in sports fitness and leisure studies in 2004 from Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. There he lettered two seasons on the baseball team under head coach Steve Coleman. He received his associate's degree in arts and science from Northeast Texas Community College in 2001, and lettered in baseball two seasons for head coach Chad Tidwell.
Donnelly currently resides with his wife Kellie in Murfeesboro. Formerly Kellie Schmitt, she lettered in Tennis at Marshall University from 2005-2009, winning C-USA player of the year three times from '07-'09.
Tim and Kellie also welcomed their first child, Drew Bryson Donnelly on September 28th, 2017.
In 2018, the Blue Raiders hit .280 as a team and finished third in C-USA in runs scored (354), third in RBI (313), third in on-base percentage (.369), and fourth in home runs (50).
Under Donnelly, the 2018 Blue Raiders improved offensively in triples, home runs, and walks.
Aaron Aucker put together his best offensive year under Donnelly’s tutelage. The senior posted a .340 average, a career-high 14 home runs, and led C-USA in RBIs with 71.
The Blue Raiders were also a force to be reckoned with on the base paths, swiping a league high 75 bags on just 93 attempts.
The Blue Raiders exploded under Donnelly's instruction in 2017, improving in nearly every offensive category, including batting average, hits, runs scored, doubles, home runs, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, and stolen bases. MT ranked second in C-USA with a .306 batting average (24th in NCAA), and 606 hits (13th in NCAA).
The offense more than doubled their home run total from 2016 (18) to 2017 (46). Six starters in the MT lineup hit .303 or better after having only one do so in 2016.
MT finished the 2017 season as the only school in C-USA to have three players finish in the top eight of the conference in batting average.
Donnelly was hired as Middle Tennessee’s recruiting coordinator and hitting coach, as well as additional on-field duties, Head Coach Jim McGuire announced in July of 2016.
In addition to his responsibilities as recruiting coordinator and hitting coach, Donnelly also works defensively with Blue Raider catchers and coaches third base.
Donnelly, who spent the previous 10 seasons at Marshall, was named C-USA assistant coach of the year in 2016 after helping lead the Herd to one of its best seasons in recent history. Marshall set school records for most overall wins and conference wins in 2016.
Marshall was one of the top hitting teams in C-USA in 2016. The Herd hit .285 as a team and was second in the league in slugging percentage and their 60 home runs were second only to league champion Southern Miss.
While Donnelly has a keen understanding and knowledge of C-USA, McGuire also has been able to follow his new hire's progression from an up-close perspective.
"The recruiting part was the biggest thing," McGuire said. "Looking at (Donnelly's) track record over the last few years and then seeing it ourselves the last three years in the league has been impressive. He has brought in some quality players at Marshall, especially from the junior college ranks. He has JUCO ties all over the country and that is something we need to continue to add and get better with. He has a solid recruiting base."
In 2012, Donnelly was named Marshall’s Head Recruiting Coordinator in addition to his duties as an assistant coach. Donnelly primarily worked with the infielders and coached third base during his time at Marshall.
Donnelly has been a pivotal part in preparing his players for the next level. During his time at Marshall, 25 players were either drafted or signed as free agents with an MLB franchise, including the highest pick in school history (Aaron Blair - 36th overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks).
Other notable players include: Emmanuel Burriss, who was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the first round (33rd overall) of the 2006 amateur draft, 12th round pick to the Giants, Kenny Socorro, Drew Saylor, a 13th round draft pick by the Miami Marlins, Kevin Shackelford who was selected in the 21st round by the Milwaukee Brewers, Andrew Davis, 44th round pick by the Chicago Cubs, Isaac Ballou, 15th round pick to the Washington Nationals and Corey Bird, seventh round pick by the Marlins.
Former Marshall players who came through under Donnelly's tutelage that now play in the MLB include: Dan Straily, Aaron Blair and Kevin Shackelford.
Donnelly had the 34th-rated signing class nationally in 2011, and Marshall’s 2012 class was ranked 50th. The efforts of Donnelly’s recruiting were definitely realized in 2016 when The Herd set school records.
Prior to Marshall, Donnelly spent one year at Kent State as an assistant coach. He helped the Golden Flashes capture the regular-season championship. Donnelly’s responsibilities included working with infielders, assisting with hitting, and coaching first base. He also handled field maintenance and camp duties.
In 2005, Donnelly served as an assistant coach at Malone College, where he handled the infielders, hitting and recruiting. He also served as an assistant coach with the Stark County Terriers summer league baseball team (Great Lakes Summer League) in 2005, and helped lead the team to a league title.
His father, Rich Donnelly, has been a Major League Coach for more than 30 years and formerly the third base coach with the Seattle Mariners (2014-15). Rich Donnelly also worked with various MLB teams including the Texas Rangers (1980, 83-85), Pittsburgh Pirates (1986-1996), Florida Marlins (1997-1998), Colorado Rockies (1999-2002), Milwaukee Brewers (2003-2005), and the Los Angeles Dodgers (2006-2007). Last offseason, Rich Donnelly also served as the bullpen coach for USA Baseball, the gold-medal winners in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
Donnelly's two brothers played collegiate sports. Bubba Donnelly played four years of basketball at Robert Morris College, while his brother, Mike, was a four-year kicker on the Cumberland College football team.
Donnelly earned a bachelor's degree in sports fitness and leisure studies in 2004 from Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. There he lettered two seasons on the baseball team under head coach Steve Coleman. He received his associate's degree in arts and science from Northeast Texas Community College in 2001, and lettered in baseball two seasons for head coach Chad Tidwell.
Donnelly currently resides with his wife Kellie in Murfeesboro. Formerly Kellie Schmitt, she lettered in Tennis at Marshall University from 2005-2009, winning C-USA player of the year three times from '07-'09.
Tim and Kellie also welcomed their first child, Drew Bryson Donnelly on September 28th, 2017.
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Spring Sports Show hosted by The Boulevard – April 21, 2025: Softball and Baseball
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MTSU Baseball 2025 52nd Annual Groundhog Day Luncheon
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