Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Baseball lands C-USA assistant coach of year
7/13/2016 4:30:00 PM | Baseball
Tim Donnelly hired as assistant
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee has hired the C-USA assistant coach of the year to fill a vacancy on its baseball coaching staff, Head Coach Jim McGuire announced Wednesday.
Tim Donnelly will serve as the Blue Raiders' recruiting coordinator and hitting coach, and he will also coach third base, among other responsibilities. Donnelly's knowledge of C-USA and Middle Tennessee proved to be an asset during the interview process. He previously served in the same capacity at Marshall, where he was named C-USA assistant coach of the year in 2016.
The job attracted close to 200 candidates, according to McGuire, but Donnelly's recruiting background and knowledge of C-USA were key factors in his hiring.
"I think being in the league and have an understanding of what C-USA is all about and the type of player it takes to win and have success bodes well for him," McGuire said. "One of the main reasons I was attracted to him throughout the process was his knowledge of the conference and his background in recruiting."
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."
Donnelly worked at Marshall for 10 seasons and was the head recruiting coordinator for the previous four. He primarily worked with infielders and coached third base, among other duties.
Donnelly said he was attracted to Middle Tennessee for many reasons but exceptional facilities were one of the biggest.
"My biggest thing was the facilities and being able to recruit to a really nice baseball facility," Donnelly said. "I also realize the prior success Middle Tennessee has had and then being with a guy that has been here a long time in Jim McGuire also meant something to me.
"I am appreciative of the opportunity (McGuire ) has given me," Donnelly added. "I'm ready to hit the ground running and start recruiting. I am ready to meet all the players when they get back from summer leagues, and I'm excited to work with them. The main thing is I'm really appreciative of the opportunity to work at Middle Tennessee with that beautiful stadium."
Donnelly said leaving players he recruited at Marshall was difficult, and added it will be different coaching against some of them in a conference series next season.
"It will definitely be different," Donnelly said. "I called most of our guys (Tuesday) and let them know. They were happy for me. It will be different going up there and being in the opposite dugout and seeing guys I recruited."
Donnelly admits his knowledge of the league should be an asset but the fact he has a working knowledge of some of the Blue Raiders is also important.
"A lot of those guys got a lot of at-bats and playing time," Donnelly said. "What we had to do at Marshall, and here, is develop kids and that is the exciting part of it. Working, developing them and watching them progress is fun. I've seen the players in this league and the teams that are good year after year, and the players they have. My goal is to get the same type of guys, and I think we can.
McGuire said he was impressed with the quality and number of applicants for the position vacated when Scott Hall resigned to pursue outside interests following the 2016 campaign.
"We had close to 200 applicants and every level of baseball was interested," McGuire said. "It makes you feel good to attract these type of candidates but at the end (Donnelly's) recruiting at this level and recruiting to this conference is one of the biggest reasons I went with him."
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.
Tim Donnelly will serve as the Blue Raiders' recruiting coordinator and hitting coach, and he will also coach third base, among other responsibilities. Donnelly's knowledge of C-USA and Middle Tennessee proved to be an asset during the interview process. He previously served in the same capacity at Marshall, where he was named C-USA assistant coach of the year in 2016.
The job attracted close to 200 candidates, according to McGuire, but Donnelly's recruiting background and knowledge of C-USA were key factors in his hiring.
"I think being in the league and have an understanding of what C-USA is all about and the type of player it takes to win and have success bodes well for him," McGuire said. "One of the main reasons I was attracted to him throughout the process was his knowledge of the conference and his background in recruiting."
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."
Donnelly worked at Marshall for 10 seasons and was the head recruiting coordinator for the previous four. He primarily worked with infielders and coached third base, among other duties.
Donnelly said he was attracted to Middle Tennessee for many reasons but exceptional facilities were one of the biggest.
"My biggest thing was the facilities and being able to recruit to a really nice baseball facility," Donnelly said. "I also realize the prior success Middle Tennessee has had and then being with a guy that has been here a long time in Jim McGuire also meant something to me.
"I am appreciative of the opportunity (McGuire ) has given me," Donnelly added. "I'm ready to hit the ground running and start recruiting. I am ready to meet all the players when they get back from summer leagues, and I'm excited to work with them. The main thing is I'm really appreciative of the opportunity to work at Middle Tennessee with that beautiful stadium."
Donnelly said leaving players he recruited at Marshall was difficult, and added it will be different coaching against some of them in a conference series next season.
"It will definitely be different," Donnelly said. "I called most of our guys (Tuesday) and let them know. They were happy for me. It will be different going up there and being in the opposite dugout and seeing guys I recruited."
Donnelly admits his knowledge of the league should be an asset but the fact he has a working knowledge of some of the Blue Raiders is also important.
"A lot of those guys got a lot of at-bats and playing time," Donnelly said. "What we had to do at Marshall, and here, is develop kids and that is the exciting part of it. Working, developing them and watching them progress is fun. I've seen the players in this league and the teams that are good year after year, and the players they have. My goal is to get the same type of guys, and I think we can.
McGuire said he was impressed with the quality and number of applicants for the position vacated when Scott Hall resigned to pursue outside interests following the 2016 campaign.
"We had close to 200 applicants and every level of baseball was interested," McGuire said. "It makes you feel good to attract these type of candidates but at the end (Donnelly's) recruiting at this level and recruiting to this conference is one of the biggest reasons I went with him."
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.
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