July 19, 2004
Columbia, S.C. –
Jerry Meyers, an assistant coach at the University of South Carolina the past eight years and who helped guide the Gamecocks to NCAA College World Series appearances the past three seasons as pitching coach, has been named the new baseball head coach at Old Dominion University, announced Athletic Director Jim Jarrett.
“Jerry Meyers is an outstanding baseball coach, and I am delighted that he will lead the Old Dominion University baseball program,” said Jarrett. “The coaching search has reinforced the level of respect that Old Dominion baseball has since a significant number of outstanding and highly successful coaches were interested in our baseball program and believe that the Monarchs can be a strong contender for CAA, and national honors.”
Widely regarded as one of the top pitching coaches in college baseball, Meyers’ South Carolina pitching staff compiled a 53-17 record this past season as the Gamecocks captured the 2004 Southeastern Conference Tournament Championship, NCAA Regional and Super Regional Championships, and took a third place finish at the College World Series. The Gamecocks also reached the World Series Championship game in 2002, compiling a 57-18 record.
“I am extremely excited about coming to Old Dominion University as baseball coach. I am grateful to athletic director Jim Jarrett for the confidence he has shown in me to lead this program,” said Meyers. “I have some great memories of the time I previously spent at ODU, and look forward to building the caliber of baseball program that the administration, alumni, students, faculty and fans can take great pride in. We are going to roll up our sleeves and work hard to attract the quality of student athletes it will take to succeed not only on the conference level but the national level as well. My family and I are anxious to get on board.”
In eight seasons with Meyers coaching the Gamecock pitchers, their record is 372- 152. The Gamecocks have won two Southeastern Conference championships and have won SEC Eastern Division titles four of the last six years.
Meyers helped guide the University of South Carolina to a second place finish in the SEC, a national ranking of third, and an NCAA Regional bid in 1998. In 1999, South Carolina won the SEC Eastern Championship. In 2000, the Gamecocks were a unanimous number one ranking in the final six weeks of the regular season, and were the number one seed in the NCAA Regional championship. South Carolina won the 2001 NCAA Regional title, then captured the NCAA regional title and Super Regional championships the next three years.
A Meyers coached pitcher has been a first team All-American in each of the past five years, and 17 of his pitchers have signed professional contracts. Including stints at other schools, Meyers has coached 33 collegiate pitchers who have played professional baseball.
Meyers served as an assistant at Old Dominion in 1996 in which the Monarchs captured the CAA title and advanced to the NCAA Atlantic Regional. His pitching staff established a school strikeout record of 426 which lasted until this season.
Prior to his year at Old Dominion, Meyers spent four years as pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington where he worked with pitchers and catchers. The 1995 Seahawk staff was ranked 11th nationally in earned run average at 3.37 with two pitchers ranked among the nation’s top 15 in strikeouts per nine innings. He also coached at Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Fl., from 1989-91.
Meyers was a four year starting pitcher at Iowa State University where he was named to the All-Big Eight Conference Team his senior season. He was the team captain as a junior and senior and was named the team’s most valuable player his senior season.
“I would like to take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to coach Ray Tanner, athletic director Dr. Mike McGee, and the University of South Carolina for all they have done for me and my family during our eight years with the Gamecock program,” said Meyers.
Meyers received the Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Management from Iowa State and the Master of Education in Physical Education from South Alabama in 1989 with emphasis in exercise and movement technology.
Meyers and his wife Christina have two daughters, Jaye Riley, born July 31, 1999 and Audrey Reese born December 31, 2001.
Comments from USC head coach Ray Tanner: “We’re excited for Coach Meyers and the opportunity he’s been presented at Old Dominion. He’s done a terrific job for us at South Carolina, as a pitching coach and developer of talent. Jerry has played a big role in the success we’ve been fortunate enough to have here and we appreciate all of his contributions to the Carolina program. He and his family have been a vital part of our Gamecock baseball family these past eight years and they will be sorely missed. ODU made an outstanding choice and we wish them all the best.”
