University of Charleston Athletics

Andrew Wright, a 14 year college baseball coaching veteran, enters his 4rd year as the head coach of the Golden Eagles, after guiding the program to a record breaking year in 2018. The Golden Eagles won a program record 36 wins, including an MEC Southern Division Championship, an MEC Tournament Championship, and UC’s first appearance in an NCAA Regional.  Wright’s brilliant track record of recruiting and player development has paid off for the UCWV Baseball Program in what has proven to be a remarkable turnaround. The Golden Eagles improved their win total from a pedestrian 16 wins in 2016 to a staggering 34 wins in 2017 and 36 in 2018.

Upon his arrival in Charleston, the Golden Eagle baseball program refocused its foundation to include the following cornerstones:  GRADUATE, COMPETE FOR CHAMPIONSHIPS, AND GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.  The staff’s overriding goal is to ensure that when each UC Baseball player finishes their career, they are a better person because they chose to wear the Golden Eagle baseball uniform.  “My excitement for the opportunity to lead the UC Baseball program is hard to put into words.  All of the nuts and bolts are here to make the Golden Eagle Baseball program one of the most comprehensive NCAA Division II Baseball experiences in the country, and my staff and I can’t wait to get started,”  Wright said upon his hiring in the summer of 2015.

Wright came to UC from MEC power Concord University, where he spent 5 years as the Mountain Lion head coach.  During his tenure in Athens, the Mountain Lions averaged 31 wins per season, while setting consecutive school records for wins with 36 (2013) and 38 (2014).  In his last 3 years, the Mountain Lions put together consecutive 30 win seasons, another CU first.  In 2 of his 5 years, the Mountain Lions won WVIAC championships (2011, 2013) along with 2 NCAA Regional appearances.

Wright’s ability to provide clarity to their approach offensively, defensively and on the mound, resulted in Concord bolstering itself as one of the region’s most respected teams.  CU’s offense led the WVIAC in batting average, runs scored, hits and slugging percentage in 2011 and 2013, while leading the country in triples in 2011 and also leading the country in batting average and runs scored in 2013.  Defensively, Concord’s teams made a steady climb to the top of the conference from 2011 to 2015, culminating in a conference best fielding percentage in 2014.  On the mound, Wright’s pitching staffs saw an ERA of 6.97 almost cut in half by 2014 (3.53).  During his time at Concord, the Mountain Lions produced 5 NCAA All-Americans and numerous All-Conference and All-Region picks.

In 14 years of coaching, Wright has coached over close to 50 players who have been drafted or signed professional contracts, including 4 who have reached the Major Leagues (Vince Belnome-Tampa Bay Rays, Cody Eppley- New York Yankees/Texas Rangers, David Carpenter-Braves, Astros, Yankees, Nationals, and Rob Wooten-Milwaukee Brewers).

Several of Wright’s former assistants have advanced in the coaching ranks, including: Justin Willard (Pitching Coach-Minnesota Twins Organization), Brandon Costa (Recruiting Coordinator- UVA-Wise), Devin Smith (Recruiting Coordinator-Concord University), Tyler Ocker (Recruiting Coordinator-Wilson College) , Jeff Jefferson (Recruiting Coordinator-UNC Pembroke), Ian Humphrey (Volunteer Assistant-Mercer University), Casey Hodges (Pitching Coach-Mount Olive University)

In the classroom, his student-athletes saw a GPA jump of almost a half a letter grade from the time he took over in 2010 to 2014-2015 when the team posted a GPA over 3.0, which included over half the team with a 3.0 or better and 3 student athletes achieved 4.0 GPAs.

Perhaps more impressive, is his teams’ commitment to community service.  While at CU, the program received recognition for its commitment to giving back to the local community through its initiatives like the “1000 Hour Project” and the “Get to Give Program.” 

Wright’s coaching stops include three years on staff at West Virginia University (2004-2007), two years as the head coach of the Wilmington Sharks in the Coastal Plain League (2006-2007), one season as the pitching coach at Georgetown Prep (2009), two years as the lead instructor at Bethesda-Chevy Chase Baseball Facility (2008-2009) and was also part of the Milwaukee Brewers scouting efforts in the Washington, DC area.  While at CU, Wright also helped Tampa Bay Rays Rookie League Affiliate (Princeton Rays) as a batting practice pitcher in 2013 and 2014.

Wright played collegiately at Concord University from 2000-2002.  During his time as a player the Mountain Lions established a school record for wins in 2000 (32) and won a WVIAC Conference Championship in 2001.

Also a highly touted presenter, Wright has spoken at the West Virginia High School Baseball Coaches Association Clinic, Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association Clinic, and the National High School Baseball Coaches Associaton Clinic.  From 2014-2016, Wright served on the NCAA Atlantic Regional Advisory Committee and currently serves as the Chair of the Mountain East Coaches Committee.

Wright has also been featured on the Top Coach Podcast with Jack Warren and the ABCA’s Dugout Chatter with Jeremy Sheetinger.

Wright and his wife Stacy have 2 daughters, Alex (7) and Kennedy (4).

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT ANDREW WRIGHT
"Andrew is a tremendous addition to not only the baseball program, but also the University of Charleston.  He is a great communicator, holds a deep passion for the game of baseball, and has an insatiable desire to continue learning.  The players he coaches will be positively impacted both on and off the field.  They will be better players and people when they leave the program.  I am thrilled for him to have this opportunity and know he will be a source of pride for the school."

-Matt Quatraro, Cleveland Indians MLB Hitting Coach

"Andrew is truly one of the best young teachers in college baseball.  He understands the value of building relationships with his players to help them elevate themselves on and off the field."

-Shawn Stiffler, Head Baseball Coach, Virginia Commonwealth University

“Andrew’s knowledge and passion for the game are second to none.  Good leadership starts with people that care and Andrew cares about his players.  Congrats to University of Charleston on getting a good one!"

-Brian Anderson, Assistant Baseball Coach, Penn State University