Middle Tennessee State University Baseball
After serving as Associate Head Coach/Pitching Coach during the 2022 season, Jerry Meyers was promoted to Head Coach of the Blue Raider baseball program in August of 2022.
“I am very appreciative and excited for this opportunity,” Meyers said. “I’m thankful our administration has trusted me with the responsibility of guiding the young men in our program.”
In his first season, Meyers coached two Conference USA Second Team All-Conference pitchers in Trent Seibert and Jaden Hamm, and an All-Freshman team pitcher in James Sells.
Peyton Wigginton earned Conference USA Pitcher of the Week May 16 after a complete-game shutout performance at Rice.
Blue Raider pitchers combined to throw five complete games and record 421 strikeouts. Newcomers such as Sells and Jalen Wirtz each proved to be reliable arms on the MT pitching staff while Hamm set new career highs in strikeouts (65) and innings pitched (59.1).
Following the season, pitchers Wigginton and Zach Keenan signed professional contracts in the American Association.
“I have great respect for the Blue Raider program and its history,” Meyers said after his promotion. “There have been many outstanding players and coaches that have built this program and its proud tradition over many years. It will be our mission to compete every day to make Blue Raider Nation proud.”
Meyers enjoyed immense success in his baseball career both as head coach at Old Dominion for six years, and as a longtime assistant at South Carolina, where he served as Pitching Coach and Associate Head Coach for 15 seasons during two separate stints.
Meyers developed 17 All-American pitchers during his time at South Carolina, where his pitching staffs generally ranked near the top of the SEC and nationally, in wins, earned run average, strikeouts and WHIP. Several of his former collegiate pitchers have reached the professional ranks.
Meyers won 167 games in six seasons as Head Coach at Old Dominion, and he was also instrumental in the success of some of South Carolina’s most successful teams. South Carolina reached the College World Series six times during Meyers’ tenure as pitching coach. The Gamecocks won the national championship in 2011 and also reached the CWS championship game two other times (2002, 2012) with Meyers as Pitching Coach.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT JERRY MEYERS…
Ray Tanner, South Carolina AD, former HC at South Carolina
Jerry Meyers is a national championship pitching coach. He is among the best in all of college baseball. The impact that he will have on the MTSU pitching staff will be immediate. Jim Toman has always been respected as one of the great recruiters in college baseball, and in Coach Meyers, he has added a coach who will develop and mentor student-athletes to excel and reach new heights.
Tim Corbin, Head Baseball Coach, Vanderbilt
Jerry has always been one of the premier pitching coaches in the country. When you look at the South Carolina teams that he was a part of, pitching success was paramount, and he had a lot to do with that. At the heart of it, Jerry has a teacher’s spirit for pitching. He is a very good instructor.
Clarke Schmidt, Pitcher, New York Yankees
It’s tough to put into words the impact Coach Meyers has had on my career. Not only was he a great mentor and coach, but he made a lasting impact on me off the field. The amount of time that (Meyers) puts in behind the scenes doesn’t go unnoticed. He is relentless in his efforts to not only help the individual player, but also help the pitching staff and team. I will forever be grateful for the time I got to spend with Coach Meyers throughout my college experience, and I’m thankful to still have a strong relationship with him today.
Tyler Webb, Pitcher, St. Louis Cardinals
Coach Meyers is one of the very best pitching coaches I have had the pleasure of working with throughout my baseball career. I still use things that he has taught me such as mound presence and tempo to this day. He has an innate ability to communicate his message in a way that you, the individual, can understand. He elevates any program he’s a part of.
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After serving as Associate Head Coach/Pitching Coach during the 2022 season, Jerry Meyers was promoted to Head Coach of the Blue Raider baseball program in August of 2022.
“I am very appreciative and excited for this opportunity,” Meyers said. “I’m thankful our administration has trusted me with the responsibility of guiding the young men in our program.”
In his first season, Meyers coached two Conference USA Second Team All-Conference pitchers in Trent Seibert and Jaden Hamm, and an All-Freshman team pitcher in James Sells.
Peyton Wigginton earned Conference USA Pitcher of the Week May 16 after a complete-game shutout performance at Rice.
Blue Raider pitchers combined to throw five complete games and record 421 strikeouts. Newcomers such as Sells and Jalen Wirtz each proved to be reliable arms on the MT pitching staff while Hamm set new career highs in strikeouts (65) and innings pitched (59.1).
Following the season, pitchers Wigginton and Zach Keenan signed professional contracts in the American Association.
“I have great respect for the Blue Raider program and its history,” Meyers said after his promotion. “There have been many outstanding players and coaches that have built this program and its proud tradition over many years. It will be our mission to compete every day to make Blue Raider Nation proud.”
Meyers enjoyed immense success in his baseball career both as head coach at Old Dominion for six years, and as a longtime assistant at South Carolina, where he served as Pitching Coach and Associate Head Coach for 15 seasons during two separate stints.
Meyers developed 17 All-American pitchers during his time at South Carolina, where his pitching staffs generally ranked near the top of the SEC and nationally, in wins, earned run average, strikeouts and WHIP. Several of his former collegiate pitchers have reached the professional ranks.
Meyers won 167 games in six seasons as Head Coach at Old Dominion, and he was also instrumental in the success of some of South Carolina’s most successful teams. South Carolina reached the College World Series six times during Meyers’ tenure as pitching coach. The Gamecocks won the national championship in 2011 and also reached the CWS championship game two other times (2002, 2012) with Meyers as Pitching Coach.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT JERRY MEYERS…
Ray Tanner, South Carolina AD, former HC at South Carolina
Jerry Meyers is a national championship pitching coach. He is among the best in all of college baseball. The impact that he will have on the MTSU pitching staff will be immediate. Jim Toman has always been respected as one of the great recruiters in college baseball, and in Coach Meyers, he has added a coach who will develop and mentor student-athletes to excel and reach new heights.
Tim Corbin, Head Baseball Coach, Vanderbilt
Jerry has always been one of the premier pitching coaches in the country. When you look at the South Carolina teams that he was a part of, pitching success was paramount, and he had a lot to do with that. At the heart of it, Jerry has a teacher’s spirit for pitching. He is a very good instructor.
Clarke Schmidt, Pitcher, New York Yankees
It’s tough to put into words the impact Coach Meyers has had on my career. Not only was he a great mentor and coach, but he made a lasting impact on me off the field. The amount of time that (Meyers) puts in behind the scenes doesn’t go unnoticed. He is relentless in his efforts to not only help the individual player, but also help the pitching staff and team. I will forever be grateful for the time I got to spend with Coach Meyers throughout my college experience, and I’m thankful to still have a strong relationship with him today.
Tyler Webb, Pitcher, St. Louis Cardinals
Coach Meyers is one of the very best pitching coaches I have had the pleasure of working with throughout my baseball career. I still use things that he has taught me such as mound presence and tempo to this day. He has an innate ability to communicate his message in a way that you, the individual, can understand. He elevates any program he’s a part of.
Kevin Nichols joined the Blue Raider coaching staff on July 26, 2022 and currently serves as the team’s associate head coach.
Nichols comes to Murfreesboro after five seasons at College of Charleston, where he served as the team’s associate head coach and recruiting coordinator, and oversaw hitting and base running. Before College of Charleston, Nichols was the head coach of Erskine College from 1999 to 2017.
2017-2022 Associate Head Coach/Recruiting Coordinator – College of Charleston
Nichols helped lead the Cougars to a 148-87 record while overseeing recruiting and offense. College of Charleston won the 2022 CAA regular season championship with a 19-5 record, which included an undefeated home conference record.
The Cougars proved to be a tough opponent against Power 5 schools while Nichols was on staff, including a sweep of Georgia, and wins over Texas, South Carolina, Clemson, Alabama, Kansas State and Arizona.
1999-2017 Head Baseball Coach/Assistant Athletic Director – Erskine College
Nichols guided Erskine College baseball program for 18 seasons. Highlights include breaking the school’s single season record for wins in 2008, topping the 40-win mark three times in 2006 (42-16) 2008 (44-13) and 2010 (41-15), leading the Fleet to their first NCAA regional appearance, the 2016 conference championship and winning 2016 Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year.
In his 18 seasons, Nichols amassed 588 career wins. He picked up his 434th career win on February 6th 2013, moving him past Harry Stillie as the winningest baseball coach in program history. Nichols picked up his 500th career victory as the Flying Fleet defeated Anderson 19-2 on Feb. 17, 2015.
Under Nichols, 35 players have signed professional contracts, 100 have been named All-Conference, 33 have earned All-Region honors, six have been named CVAC Freshmen of the Year, three have been named Conference Player of the Year, two have been named Pitcher of the Year 12 have been named All-American, and two players have won National Player of the Year honors (Casey Smith, 2005 and Bryan Fogle, 2010).
He spearheaded improvements to Grier Field in his tenure, including a new professional playing surface, installation of a new drainage system, irrigation system, a new scoreboard, regulation size fence, bullpens, a fairway mower for the field, new locker room and team room, and a five ft. brick wall that surrounds the field.
Individual NCAA Records and Honors Under Nichols:
– Shelton Cisson NCAA career Hits Leader (366) 2004-2007
– Bryan Fogle NCAA career Home Run Leader (73) 2007-2010
– Bryan Fogle NCAA career Total Base Leader (630) 2007-2010
– Bryan Fogle NCAA career Runs Batted In Leader (310) 2007-2010
– Chas Anthony NCAA career Doubles Leader (87) 2007-2010
– Atlee Pearson NCAA career Saves Leader (33) 2008-2011
– Casey Smith NCAA National Player of the Year (2005)
– Bryan Fogle NCAA National Player of the Year (2010)
Nichols was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1996 MLB Draft. During his professional career, Nichols spent time in Martinsville, Piedmont, and Clearwater.
A member of the PBR (Professional Baseball Representatives), Nichols has also served on the NCAA regional committee for four years.
In 2016 Nichols was Inducted into the Conference Carolinas Hall of Fame “Legends of the Game” award.
The 1996 graduate of Alabama met his wife Kristy in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and has 3 children Libby (21), Brick (18) and Jax (16).
MTSU baseball head coach Jerry Meyers announced the addition of Jason Stein to the Blue Raider coaching staff in the summer of 2022.
Stein serves as the team’s assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.
“Jason is a tremendous teacher and coach,” Meyers said. “He is a true professional and will be a huge asset to Blue Raider Baseball. His player development skills and vast experience will benefit our young men on a daily basis. I am extremely excited to have Coach Stein on our staff. Our current players and future recruits will become much better under his tutelage.”
Coming to Middle Tennessee with a wealth of experience as both a head coach and an assistant coach around college baseball, Stein has recruited and coached 43 MLB draft picks, 21 All-Americans, 15 All-ACC selections, two OVC players of the year and two OVC freshmen of the year.
Stein previously served as an assistant coach at Duke from 2015 to 2022, holding responsibilities such as hitting coach, third base coach, coaching infielders, coordinating the team’s community service efforts and managing the program’s on-campus facilities.
In 2021, Stein helped the Blue Devils capture the program’s first ACC Baseball Tournament Championship title in program history and their first conference title since 1961. While on the Blue Devil staff, Stein was a part of four NCAA Regional appearances and back-to-back NCAA Super Regional appearances in 2018 and 2019.
Before Duke, Stein was the head coach at Eastern Kentucky from 2008 to 2015. Stein earned Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year in 2012 after leading EKU to a share of the OVC regular season title.
Under Stein’s direction, the Colonels regularly ranked in the top 10 nationally in home runs per game, ranking first in the nation in home runs per game with 1.22 per contest in 2012. EKU’s 66 home runs tied for second-most in the nation. EKU belted 59 home runs and posted a .450 slugging percentage in 2015.
Off the diamond, Stein received the Coach’s Academic Enhancement Award in 2011 and 2014 and presented his base running system at the 2010 American Baseball Coaches Association’s national convention in Dallas.
Stein served assistant coach/recruiting coordinator at Belmont from 2001-08. During that span, Stein helped the Bruins set program records in home runs, RBI, total bases and stolen bases. Belmont swiped 518 bases during his five seasons, including a school record 124 in 2005.
“I’m excited and honored to be a part of the great tradition of MTSU Baseball and to work with one of the best college baseball coaches, a national champion, Jerry Meyers,” Stein said. “I can’t wait to get started working for a tremendous university and athletic department that pursues excellence on and off the field. Go Blue Raiders!”
Stein earned two degrees at EKU. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in ornamental horticulture in 1997 and received his master’s in sports administration in 1998. As a middle infielder for the Colonels, Stein batted .334 over his collegiate career. His .378 average in 1993 led the OVC.
Stein and his wife Terri have five children (Ryker, Riley, Jaxton, Jacey and Kacen).
Middle Tennessee head baseball coach Jerry Meyers announced the addition of Mark DiLuia as a volunteer assistant coach during the summer of 2022.
A native of Flossmoor, Ill., DiLuia’s responsibilities at MTSU include working with the pitching staff, serving as the first base coach, aiding in player development and on-campus recruiting and overseeing team camps and field operations for Reese Smith Jr. Field.
“I’m honored to join the great tradition of MTSU Baseball and be able to work with such a highly respected coaching staff,” DiLuia said. “I’m excited to work for an incredible university and athletic department that strives for excellence on and off the field.”
He comes to Murfreesboro from Keystone College in Factoryville, Penn., where he was the assistant pitching coach for one season. Under DiLuia’s guidance, the Giants recorded a 2.94 ERA during conference play on the mound.
DiLuia spent the summer of 2022 as the assistant pitching coach and camp director for the Cape Cod League runner up, the Brewster Whitecaps.
A 2021 graduate of the University of Maryland with a degree in sociology, DiLuia made 44 appearances (13 starts) with the Terps. The right-handed pitcher struck out 92 batters in 109 career innings.
DiLuia won three games in his first season at Maryland and struck out 47 batters in 65 ? innings pitched. During his sophomore campaign, DiLuia made 24 appearances, including striking out a season-high five batters over two and a third innings of work vs. Iowa on May 17, 2019.
As a junior in 2020, DiLuia did not allow a run in five appearances out of the bullpen during the shortened season. DiLuia missed most of the 2021 season due to injury.
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