The University of South Carolina Upstate Formally Introduces Mike McGuire as the Fourth Head Baseball Coach in Program History
6/27/2019 2:57:00 PM | Baseball
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – In front of a large crowd gathered in the G. B. Hodge Center lobby Mike McGuire was formally introduced as the fourth head baseball coach of the University of South Carolina Upstate baseball team on Thursday morning.
"He [Mike McGuire] embodies all of the characteristics we were searching for," USC Upstate Director of Athletics Daniel Feig said. "We were looking for a man of integrity and character; one that builds relationships with his students; humble and kind, but is also extremely competitive. We looked for one that prioritizes academic success and is looking to build a culture of success throughout his program."
"I am really excited and honored to be the new head baseball coach at USC Upstate," Mike McGuire said. "…I couldn't be more excited about the opportunity and what the future holds, not just for the baseball program but also for the area and the institution. I would like to thank Dr. Brendan Kelly and Daniel Feig for entrusting me to lead this program."
McGuire joins USC Upstate after seven seasons as head coach of the NCAA Division I baseball program at Morehead State University in Kentucky. Under McGuire's leadership, the team compiled an overall record of 228-187 and a conference record of 118-91, including an average of 37 wins per season over the past five years. Â
"I talked to Dr. Brendan Kelly and Dr. Meredith Brunen about what traits we needed in the next head coach," Feig announced. "We were looking for a coach that was a proven winner and had recruiting ties and contacts in our region. We wanted a coach that had integrity and character and one that would build a culture of success within the clubhouse. We wanted someone who would reach out into the community and build a fan base as our profile begins to grow…Because it was such a great pool, it was difficult but our committee was able to narrow it down but coach McGuire immediately caught our attention."
Under McGuire's tutelage, nine players have been drafted by Major League Baseball organizations and 13 players have signed professional contracts at Morehead State. Overall, he has coached more than 58 players who have joined the professional ranks and 25 All-Americans.
"From a baseball standpoint you can expect an aggressive style of baseball," McGuire added. "I think a good coach has to alter his style a little bit based upon the strengths and weaknesses of the team. Ultimately it should be an aggressive fun style of baseball. Ultimately I am a competitor and I love to compete…we want competition in practice every day, I can promise you that USC Upstate players will compete on a daily basis."
During the past five seasons, McGuire led the Eagles to 183 victories, which ranks in the top-40 nationally. The team defeated 10 nationally ranked opponents and were champions of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) and NCAA Regional Participants in 2015 and 2018.
"I'm big attention to detail guy, I believe in taking care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves." McGuire concluded, "I just wanted to say that I am very excited about the opportunity to build a great program, I am looking forward to it and I am very excited to be a Spartan."
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