Morris Completes 2002 Coaching Staff
University of Miami head baseball coach Jim Morris has announced that former Hurricanes catcher Greg Lovelady will re-join the program as an assistant coach for the 2002 season. In addition, Morris has also brought back Robert McDaniel as the Hurricanes’ Coordinator of Baseball Operations.
Lovelady, who replaces Mark Kingston, played for the Florida Marlins’ Utica Blue Sox of the Class A New York/Penn League this past summer. He was a free agent signing by the Marlins following the Hurricanes’ recent College World Series championship. Kingston, who was UM’s volunteer coach in 2000 and 2001 joined the baseball staff at Tulane, also a 2001 CWS participant.
“We are excited to have Greg back,” commented Morris, the 2001 ABCA and Collegiate Baseball National Coach of the Year. “Greg was a co-captain on last year’s team. He has impressive leadership skills and shows real enthusiasm for the game. His assistance in grooming some of our young catchers and help with Gino in the batting cages will be valued.”
Lovelady, a Miami-Palmetto High School graduate, was part of a record group of 13 players to get chosen from last year’s UM club. Miami had an all-time best 11 players drafted in the 2001 MLB Amateur Draft, followed by two free agent signings. Morris’ 1996 club had 10 players drafted.
In his new role with UM, Lovelady will work primarily with the Hurricanes’ catchers. He will also provide assistance to Assistant Coach Gino DiMare with the hitting, as well as game preparation and film study.
Lovelady attended Miami from 1998 to 2001 on academic scholarships from both the University and the Business school, earning his bachelor’s degree in Finance this past spring. He became an immediate hit with the fans at Mark Light Stadium when he took over for injured catcher Russ Jacobson in the middle of the 1999 season. The team was 21-6 at the time and proceeded to go 50-13 on the year and claim the Hurricanes’ third National Championship and first under Morris.
“This place is very special to me,” added Lovelady. “I knew that if playing wasn’t part of the future, coaching would be. I earned a valuable degree (Finance) from a respected business school and won two National Championships. What better place to start than at Miami.”
McDaniel previously held the same position with the Hurricanes during their 1999 National Championship season. A local graduate from Miami’s Columbus High, McDaniel left the position to finish his studies. McDaniel, the grandson of Cuban baseball legend Bobby Maduro, brings experience to the position having worked in the clubhouses for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and as an undergraduate at Florida State. With Tampa Bay, McDaniel also worked in the minor league clubhouse for the Class A Princeton (WV) Devil Rays. His responsibilities at Miami includes travel plans, equipment management and clubhouse operations.
Miami opens the 2002 season with its annual alumni game on January 26 at Mark Light Stadium. The regular season begins February 1 when the defending National Champions host SEC-power Tennessee for a three-game series. Miami and Tennessee met twice during the 2001 College World Series with UM winning 21-13 and 12-6.
