College of Charleston pitching coach Matt Heath has been promoted to head baseball coach, as announced by Director of Athletics Joe Hull on June 22, 2015.
New Head Baseball Coach Matt Heath.
The College’s official conference to introduce Heath as head coach took place June 23, 2015, at noon in Alumni Hall, located inside Randolph Hall. The event was streamed online here.
“I can’t wait to get started, I’m excited and I love this place,” Heath said in the press conference. “Let’s go to Omaha!”
Hull commented on the decision, “Matt Heath is an outstanding leader. When Matt was our hitting coach, CofC had a fantastic offense and led the nation in several offensive categories. Our pitching performance has been equally as remarkable. As a leader, he strives to help our team become better players, better students and better men. We are thrilled to introduce Matt Heath as our new head coach.”
Heath served two coaching stints with the baseball program under former head coaches John Pawlowski (2006 – 2008) and Monte Lee (2011 – present). He demonstrates inspiring coaching abilities, which are enhanced by his professional experience as a player and scout.
A rare combination hitting and pitching coach, Heath learned from the best in the game after playing for two college coaches, Louisiana State Univerity’s Skip Bertman and University of Florida’s Andy Lopez, who coached teams to seven National Championship titles.
“Our baseball program is in terrific shape,” Hull added. “Maintaining continuity by hiring one of our terrific assistant coaches is the best way to continue and enhance our program.”
Heath, 36, recently completed his fifth year as the College’s pitching coach. During the 2015 season, the Cougars achieved their second-highest national ranking at number 13, won the regular-season Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Championship title and made their third National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Regional appearance in the last four years.
In all, Heath has coached a National Freshman Pitcher of the Year, a consensus All-American, two Freshman All-Americans, a Southern Conference (SoCon) Pitcher of the Year, a CAA Pitcher of the Year and 13 all-conference pitchers.
Heath has also worked closely with two of the team’s many impressive players – 2015 consensus All-American Taylor Clarke, who led the pitching staff with one of the most decorated campaigns in program history, and Brandon Glazer, who recently signed a professional contract with the Los Angeles Angels.
Heath initially came to Charleston in 2006 after spending two seasons as an assistant coach at Tallahassee Community College in Tallahassee, Fla. He initially worked with the team’s hitters, who excelled under his guidance. Cougar offense was ranked nationally in numerous categories and broke multiple school and conference records under Heath’s instruction.
After two years at the College, Heath accepted an assistant coaching position at Auburn University. There, he worked with hitters, fielders and catchers, leading Auburn to national rankings in several categories and breaking numerous school records during the 2009 season.
Heath later scouted for the Houston Astros covering the North Florida area, before returning to the College of Charleston on Lee’s staff for the 2011 season.
A former prep star who was named North Florida Player of the Year out of Fernandina Beach High School in his hometown of Fernandina Beach, Fla., Heath went on to play at the University of Florida for two years. He later transferred to Louisiana State, where he was a two-time All-SEC Tournament selection, making the team as a catcher in 2001 and playing in the outfield the next season. In 2002, he led LSU in home runs and runs scored, and was also selected to the All-Tournament Team at the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional.
Heath graduated from LSU with a bachelor’s degree in general studies in 2002 and later signed a pro contract and played for the Arizona Diamondbacks organization for two seasons. He and his wife have two children.
