Jason Murray hired as Buccaneers Baseball Head Coach

CHARLESTON, SC – Charleston Southern University has hired University of Michigan assistant Jason Murray as the school’s new head baseball coach it was announced on Saturday. Murray will begin his duties immediately, expecting to arrive on the campus by Monday.

Murray, 30, becomes the eighth head coach in the program’s 38-year history.

“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve Charleston Southern University and the baseball program,” said Murray. “I would like to thank athletic director Hank Small and President Dr. Jairy Hunter for this chance to build a consistent winning program at CSU. We will have high expectations and we will do all things in a first-class manner. We will be a program that everyone associated with the University, past and present, can be proud of. I look forward to the challenge.”

Murray is leaving his position as recruiting coordinator at Michigan, where he spent the last two seasons. He also has had coaching stints at Florida, Winthrop, Rio Hondo College and Ball State University. His wide range of experience at different levels and in different areas of the country made Murray an appealing candidate to Small.

“Jason has gained a wealth of knowledge and experience by working for some outstanding coaches over the last few years,” said Small. “He knows the Big South Conference from having served on the Winthrop staff. He has coached in the Southeastern Conference and in the Big 10 conference. He’s a good fit for our University and for our baseball program and we’re extremely happy to have him on board.”

Murray is a graduate of Ball State University, where he played shortstop for coach Rich Maloney, now the head coach at Michigan. In 1997, Murray’s final season, Ball State finished 40-19 and Murray was a first-team All Mid-American Conference selection with a .425 batting average.

Murray served one season as a student assistant at Ball State and spent a year as a teacher before moving back into coaching at Winthrop in 2000. Winthrop’s 2001 team finished 48-16, earning a berth in the NCAA regionals.

From Winthrop, Murray moved on to the University of Florida, helping guide the Gators to a 46-19 record and an NCAA regional berth in 2002. He left Florida to become an assistant at Michigan following the 2002 season, working for his college coach, Maloney.

“Charleston Southern is getting a great person and a great young baseball coach,” said Maloney. “He’s going to make a positive impact on the baseball program and the University. He’s a tireless worker, an excellent recruiter, and has a great understanding of the game. Jason has done everything possible to prepare himself for this opportunity and given the support, he will do an outstanding job.”

Murray says the decision to leave his post at Michigan was “the toughest decision I have ever had to make,” because of his commitment to Maloney.

“I would not be where I am today without the guidance and friendship of coach Maloney,” said Murray. “I played for him at Ball State and having the chance to work under him for these past two years was a tremendous experience. He is my mentor and I owe him so much for making this opportunity possible.”

University of Florida head coach Pat McMahon feels Murray is the perfect man for the CSU position.

“He’s an outstanding coach and person and a first-class young man,” said McMahon. “I have no doubt that he will be a tremendous asset to the baseball program, the University, and the Charleston community. They (CSU) got themselves a good one in Jason.”

Murray is engaged to Mindy Curtis of Destin, Florida.