[new flame]

Welcome to Mayberry, gateway to danger.

Shnabel got into town yesterday. I'm told he was a phenom at 2nd base when he played, so no doubt he'll be a great defensive coach. I hear the SEC assistant is headed elsewhere, but there's good news ahead for the pitching position.

[Fumblerooskies]

Thanks for the information, newflame. Exciting times ahead, no doubt. I'm sure both coaches are over in Salem today heavily scouting the Commonwealth games. I think today is the showcase day for scouts, with games Sat and Sunday.

[Cider Jim]

I'm sure both coaches are over in Salem today heavily scouting the Commonwealth games.

If so, let's hope they're wearing their new LU ball caps & polos or T-shirts. I surely don't want our new coaches wearing their old USC or Army caps to Salem.

[knobodywest]

hmmmm! maybe the players will get to be fed after all. and proto's wish would have come true.

[givemethemic]

You can add one more to the staff....


Lynchburg, Va. – Liberty Baseball Head Coach Jim Toman announced he has hired Scott Jackson as an assistant coach. Jackson will serve as the Flames’ pitching coach.


“Scott Jackson is a top of the line pitching coach who comes highly recommended by many coaches and scouts throughout the east coast,” stated Toman. “He is a man of high character and will be a great addition to our staff.


“Scott is an excellent coach and a tireless recruiter,” continued Toman. “We are extremely fortunate to have someone of his stature join the Liberty University staff.”


Jackson joins the Liberty coaching staff after five seasons as the pitching coach at UNC Wilmington. During his tenure, eight Seahawk pitchers were either drafted or signed free agents contracts with Major League Baseball organizations, while setting new standards for UNC Wilmington hurlers.


In the five seasons since his arrival at UNC Wilmington in the fall of 2002 as an assistant to head coach Mark Scalf, Jackson’s staffs eclipsed the 400 strikeout total in three of his five seasons, including a school record 489 in 2003. In the same season, the Seahawk relief corps established the school save record of 17. UNC Wilmington pitchers racked up 191 victories during his tenure with the Seahawks as UNCW posted 40 or more victories in four of his five seasons and earned three NCAA Regional appearances in 2003, 2004 and 2006.


In his first year at UNC Wilmington, the Seahawks finished the season with a 3.75 ERA, ranking 27th nationally, as the program garnered its first ever NCAA Tournament appearance. Three pitchers from the staff signed professional contracts as Brad Overton (Philadelphia) and Jake Mullis (Kansas City) were drafted, and Chris Coughlin signed as a free agent. The following year, Blake Cross earned his second All-Colonial Athletic honor and was signed to a professional contract by Atlanta, and Ronald Hill set a school record for wins with 12 as the Seahawks captured another berth in the NCAA Tournament.


In 2005, Hill (Philadelphia) and Jeff Moore (Baltimore) were selected in the MLB Draft. The following season, Jackson had two more hurlers, Thomas Benton (Cleveland) and Adam Paul (San Francisco), selected in the draft as the Seahawks returned to the NCAA Regionals. Last season, freshman David Crooper was named to the Ping! Baseball’s Freshmen All-American under Jackson’s tutelage.

The Charlotte, N.C., native managed the Wilmington Sharks of the Coastal Plain League to a 31-17 mark and a circuit-leading 2.00 ERA during the summer of 2002. He was named the league’s Coach of the Year at season’s end. Jackson began his collegiate coaching career as an assistant coach at Wofford College in 2000 and at Barton College in 2001. He also spent one season as an assistant at his alma mater, Campbell, in 2002.

Jackson earned a bachelor’s degree in education in 1998 and a master’s in education in 2000 from Campbell. He played seven different positions for the Camels and was a three-time All-Trans-America Athletic Conference performer

[Fumblerooskies]

I had the pleasure of meeting both asst coaches today...and both are very impressive. Seems to me the entire staff is all business...but very personable off the field. Makes me want to... around the bases.

[SuperJon]

I was just in Wilmington. I was actually at a coffee shop a block from campus when I read about it.