Things fun to look at to get an idea about our new HC. Looks like he was with our old DII nemesis Delta State:
cbscout.net/2018/02/02/patriot-power-dallas-baptist-university-pitchers-leverage-velocityRick McCarty enters his third season as the pitching coach at Dallas Baptist University. During his first two seasons at DBU, McCarty has guided a Patriot pitching staff that has helped lift DBU to a Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title in 2016, a pair of MVC Tournament titles, and the program's fourth straight trip to the NCAA Tournament.
In 2017, DBU's pitching staff compiled 493 strikeouts, a mark that ranks as the third most strikeouts by a Patriot pitching staff since DBU joined the NCAA Division I ranks in 2004. In his first year at DBU in 2016, the Patriots posted a 3.88 ERA, the fourth lowest mark in the program’s NCAA Division I history. The 2016 staff also struck out 477 batters on the season, which ranks as the fourth highest strikeout total since 2004.
Under McCarty's guidance, DBU has produced six All-Missouri Valley Conference pitchers, headlined by Colin Poche in 2016, who was named a Second Team All-American selection by Collegiate Baseball and was tabbed the Missouri Valley Conference’s Pitcher of the Year after going 9-1 with a 2.38 ERA. Seth Elledge, who set the all-time career saves record at DBU in 2017, was a two-time First Team All-MVC selection, while Dalton Higgins garnered First Team honors in 2016 and was an Honorable Mention selection in 2017. MD Johnson also garnered Honorable Mention All-MVC accolades following the 2017 season.
The Patriots' pitching staff received national recognition when Colin Poche became the first pitcher in DBU Baseball history to be named the National Pitcher of the Week after striking out 14 batters against Missouri State on May 13, 2016. Six Patriot pitchers have also garnered MVC Pitcher of the Week honors during the last two seasons.
Over a two-year span as the pitching coach at DBU, McCarty has helped produce five pitchers selected in the Major League Baseball Draft, including a pair of top 10 round selections in 2017 in Seth Elledge (4th round - Seattle Mariners) and Dalton Higgins (7th round - New York Yankees). Gavin Fritz was also taken in the 2017 MLB Draft when he was selected by the Miami Marlins in the 16th round. Following the 2016 season, Colin Poche and Darick Hall were each selected in the 14th round of the Major League Draft, as Poche was signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks and Hall went to the Philadelphia Phillies. Senior left-hander Sean Stutzman also signed a professional contract as a free agent with the Houston Astros in 2016.
McCarty came to DBU from Louisiana Tech University where he spent the 2015 season in the same role for the Bulldogs. Prior to his one season at Louisiana Tech, McCarty was the pitching coach for four years at Campbell University under Greg Goff. At Campbell, the pitching staff helped the team record 41, 49 and 41 win seasons from 2012-2014. McCarty also had a stop at Division II power Delta State under Mike Kinnison where his pitching staff helped the team win the 2004 National Championship.
In his lone season at Louisiana Tech, McCarty helped the Bulldog pitching staff improve in nearly every statistical category including ERA, strikeouts, walks, batting average against, and fielding percentage. McCarty's pitching staff also struck out 95 more hitters than the previous year and led Conference USA in pick-offs. McCarty also helped to produce All-Conference USA selection, Phil Maton, who led the league in strikeouts.
Along with the success McCarty experienced in 2015 at Louisiana Tech, the 15-year coaching veteran led Campbell University to new heights as the team's pitching coach and assistant head coach during his tenure there. Over the course of three consecutive seasons, McCarty helped Campbell reach the 40-win mark (41 in 2012; 49 in 2013; 41 in 2014) and punch their ticket to the program's first NCAA Regional appearance in 24 years when the Fighting Camels advanced to the postseason in 2014.
During his time at Campbell, McCarty's pitching staff helped guide the Camels to the 2014 Big South Conference Tournament championship. One year prior, Campbell broke the school record for wins with 49 and won the Big South Conference regular season title for the first time since 1986. Behind Campbell's 2013 season was a pitching staff that finished with an ERA of 2.63, a mark that ranked seventh best in the nation and established both a new Big South Conference and school record.
Over the course of four seasons, McCarty's pitching staff at Campbell set single-season records for wins, ERA, strikeouts, innings pitched, fewest walks per nine innings, shutouts, saves, pick-offs, and fewest hits per nine innings.
Prior to his four seasons at Campbell, McCarty spent two years as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Southeast Missouri State. In his first year at SEMO, McCarty's pitching staff finished second in the Ohio Valley Conference in ERA, strikeouts and opposing batting average. The Redhawks' also placed two pitchers on the All-Ohio Valley Conference team in 2010, including Shae Simmons, who was named the league's Freshman of the Year.
From 2004-08, McCarty was an assistant coach at Division II powerhouse Delta State University. After serving as a graduate assistant for two seasons, McCarty became the team's pitching coach from 2006-08. Over the course of five seasons at Delta State, the Statesmen posted a remarkable 236-65 record and won the school's first-ever NCAA Division II National Championship.
Headlining Delta State's success on the diamond was a pitching staff that finished among the nation's top 10 in ERA on two separate occasions. Delta State also advanced to the NCAA Regionals four times and placed 19 players on the All-Gulf South Conference team.
Prior to coaching five seasons at Delta State, McCarty began his coaching career at his alma mater, Murray State University. In his lone season with the Thoroughbreds in 2003, Murray State won the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament for the first time in 24 years and made an appearance in the NCAA Regionals.
A native of Campbellsville, Kentucky, McCarty is known for his recruiting and player development. During his coaching stints at Campbell, Southeast Missouri State, and Delta State, McCarty helped develop three pitchers who have since gone on to careers in Major League Baseball (Matt Marksberry - Campbell, Shae Simmons - Southeast Missouri State, and Brent Leach - Delta State).
In his lone season at Louisiana Tech last year, McCarty coached Phil Maton, who was selected by the San Diego Padres in the 20th round of last year's Major League Draft.
While at Campbell, McCarty recruited and coached the first Big South Pitcher of the Year in school history in Ryan Thompson. In 2013, Thompson's school record 0.88 ERA ranked tops in the nation and also established a new single-season record in the Big South Conference. Thompson went on to become the school's first All-American pitcher, as he broke the school's single-season saves record in both 2013 and 2014. Following the 2014 season, Thompson was taken by the Houston Astros in the 23rd round.
McCarty also saw two other pitchers selected in the Major League Draft during his tenure at Campbell. Matt Marksberry was a 15th round pick of the Atlanta Braves in 2013 and made his Major League debut last year, pitching in 31 games for Atlanta. Along with Marksberry, McCarty also coached Jacob Smith in his first year at Campbell, who went on to become a 48th round pick of the San Francisco Giants in 2011.
As a recruiter, McCarty recruited all four of Campbell's All-Americans and three academic All-Americans. McCarty also coached 17 All-Big South Conference performers, including a school record nine All-Conference selections in 2013.
During his two years at Southeast Missouri State, McCarty helped develop Shae Simmons, who was a 22nd round pick of the Atlanta Braves in 2012. Two years later, Simmons would break into the Big Leagues with the Braves.
While coaching at Delta State, McCarty helped to develop six pitchers who signed professional contracts, including Brent Leach, who was drafted in the sixth round by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Leach would go on to make his Big League debut with the Dodgers in 2009.
McCarty graduated from Murray State in 2003 with his Bachelor's degree and earned his Master's in Education from Delta State in 2005. On the diamond, McCarty starred as a pitcher for two seasons as the closer for Murray State, where he notched eight saves in 2001, tying a single-season school record. Prior to his two years at Murray State, McCarty played at John A. Logan College in Carterville, Illinois.
McCarty is married to the former Rayna Netherland of Campbellsville, Kentucky. They have three children: Mya, Myles and Mia.
From an article describing his leaving TTech and going to DBU:"We couldn't be happier to welcome Rick McCarty and his family to the DBU Baseball program," Dallas Baptist coach Dan Heefner said in a release. "Rick's faith, character, and work ethic make him a great fit for what has already been established at DBU.
"He's an outstanding pitching coach and a proven winner who our players will enjoy working with every day. He fits right in with our philosophy of development which is shown by the individual and team success that his pitchers have had under his guidance."
McCarty inherited a pitching staff in 2015 that struggled mightily the previous year under the old regime. He helped lower the team ERA from 4.85 to 4.52 and improved strikeout numbers from 247 to 342.
Under McCarty's watch, senior Phil Maton experienced a resurgence from a down 2015 and posted a 4-4 record with a 3.86 ERA. He led Conference USA with 90 strikeouts and later was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the MLB Draft.
Prior to his stint at Tech, McCarty spent four years at Campbell and two years at Southeast Missouri State. He served as an assistant coach at Delta State from 2004-08. He helped Delta State win the Division II national title in 2004.
Sounds like we got ourselves a good one!