July 19, 2004
Jerry Meyers, an assistant coach at the University of South Carolina the pasteight years who helped guide the Gamecocks to World Series appearances the pastthree 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 willlead the Old Dominion University baseball program," said Jarrett. "The coaching searchhas 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 as the Gamecocks captured the 2004 Southeastern Conference Tournament Championship, NCAA Regional andSuper 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 baseballcoach. I am greatful to athletic director Jim Jarrett for the confidence he has shown inme to lead this program," said Meyers. " I have some great memories of the time Ipreviously 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 aregoing to roll up our sleeves and work hard to attract the quality of student athletes it willtake to succeed not only in the conference level but the national level as well. My familyand 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 two SEC Eastern Division titles four of the last six years.
Meyers helped guide the University of South Carolina to a second place finish inthe 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 thenumber one seed in the NCAA Regional championship. South Carolina won the 2001NCAA 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 pastfive 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 Monarchscaptured the CAA title and advanced to the NCAA Atlantic Regional. His pitching staffestablished 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 andrecruiting coordinator at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington where he workedwith 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 pernine 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 captainas 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 havedone 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.