FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
NEW ORLEANS – It has been a longtime dream for Bruce Peddie, and the dream came true on Tuesday.
After a three-year stint as the associate head baseball coach at the University of New Orleans, the school will recommend Peddie to the President of the LSU System for consideration of the LSU Board of Supervisors for the program’s top spot.
Peddie becomes the program’s sixth head baseball coach — replacing Tom Walter, who was recently named the head coach at Wake Forest.
“It has always been my dream to be a Division I head coach, and I can’t begin to describe how excited I am,” said Peddie, who brings 21 years of coaching experience. “The tradition of this program combined with the love of college baseball in this city makes this an incredible opportunity.”
“We went into this search with an open mind in order to identify the individual who could build on what Tom Walter had done to restore our program,” said Jim Miller, UNO Director of Athletics.
“In the final analysis, Bruce Peddie’s experience, his work ethic and his knowledge of our players were the winning factors. He will be a fitting addition to a long list of successful UNO baseball coaches.”
Peddie has already made his mark on the Lakefront. As the UNO hitting coach during the last three seasons, the Privateers have averaged 80 home runs per year under his watch.
The 2008 team, which received the school’s first NCAA Regional at-large bid since 2000, hit a school-record 97 home runs. The team was ranked fifth in the nation in runs, seventh in hits and ninth in home runs.
In his first recruiting class (2008), Peddie landed catcher Jeff Lanning, who became an eighth-round draft choice of the Minnesota Twins.
In 2009, Peddie added another highly touted class, including top Louisiana prospects Rodarrick Jones and Joe Zimmermann. Jones was an everyday outfielder as a UNO freshman last year, while Zimmermann was a weekend starter for the Privateer pitching staff.
Prior to coming to UNO, Peddie was the head coach at Division II Shippensburg (Pa.). In his 11 years there, Peddie guided the Raiders to five NCAA Division II championship berths and a College World Series appearance in 1996.
He ranks second on the school’s all-time win list with more than 300 victories. He also had 12 different players sign professional contracts.
A 1987 graduate of Mansfield University, Peddie was an assistant coach at his alma mater from 1989 through 1995. In seven seasons, the Mounties made four NCAA Regional appearances and reached the CWS three times.
Peddie and his wife, Laurie, have twin daughters – Carly and Annie.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING:
PAUL MAINIERI, LSU HEAD BASEBALL COACH:
“As a former player in the UNO program, I was fortunate enough to play under the legendary Ron Maestri, a man who I still consider a mentor to this day. He displayed the toughness and hard work that it takes to run a championship-caliber program but also had the nurturing and teaching qualities to help turn young boys into men.
“I have no doubt in my mind that Bruce Peddie will continue this tradition among UNO coaches. He is a tireless recruiter who will not stop working until the job is done. In addition, I have watched firsthand how the players relate to him in such a positive manner.”
RON MAESTRI, FORMER UNO BASEBALL COACH AND ATHLETICS DIRECTOR:
“Bruce is a very dedicated, knowledgeable, hard-working baseball coach. He has been a relentless recruiter who is responsible for many of the present UNO recruits. Bruce has an engaging personality, and his demeanor will serve him well as the UNO head coach.”
TOM WALTER, WAKE FOREST HEAD BASEBALL COACH:
“Bruce’s work ethic and dedication to the players are second to none. He has head coaching experience and has a tremendous knowledge of all parts of the game. He has recruited most every player in the program, and I know all the kids respect and adore him.
“But probably his best quality is his loyalty. Bruce loves UNO and truly wants to be at UNO for many years to come. I think he is a no-brainer.”
