FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — University of Michigan head baseball coach Rich Maloney has announced the addition of Matt White to his coaching staff. White, who will handle the pitching coach duties, comes to Michigan after three years as a volunteer coach at Georgia Tech. White replaces Bob Keller as Michigan’s pitching coach.
"I think we have one of the best up and coming coaches in college baseball," Maloney said. "He comes highly recommended and has a wealth of experience in all levels of the game. He has experienced baseball at the highest level in the pros, was a volunteer coach at Georgia Tech plus he coached the U16 and U18 national teams for USA baseball and he is very passionate about teaching pitching."
White, a former first round draft pick, has been on former U-M assistant coach Danny Hall’s (1980-87) Yellow Jacket coaching staff for the last three seasons. He served as the first base coach, was responsible for the development of Georgia Tech’s outfielders and assisted the coaching staff in other aspects of the game.
"I am excited that I have received this opportunity to get my career started here at Michigan and work with Rich Maloney," White said. "Coach Hall reached out to Rich (Maloney) and told him that I would be the right candidate. After that Rich, contacted a number of people about me and after we talked, I knew Michigan would be the place to coach."
In addition to Georgia Tech, White also has experience with the United States national program, serving as the pitching coach for the Under-18 squad that won a gold medal at the 2009 Pan Am Games and the Under-16 team. He was selected as a player to the 2000 United States Olympic Team, but was injured and could not participate.
The Waynesboro, Pa.-native signed a National Letter of Intent with Georgia Tech but opted to go pro after being selected seventh overall by the San Francisco Giants in the 1996 Major League Baseball Draft. He would eventually sign with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, playing 122 games over the next seven seasons. White was the top-ranked prospect in the Devil Rays system from 1997-99 according to Baseball America and earned a spot in the MLB Futures All-Star Game at Fenway Park in 1999.
As a high school senior in 1996, White was one of the top prep players in the country. USA Today and Baseball America both named him High School Player of the Year. He also earned the Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year, National Senior High School Player of the Year and the USA Baseball National Amateur Player of the Year awards during his final season
Despite all of the promise, shoulder and back problems derailed his promising future and eventually resulted in career-ending surgeries. He formally retired in 2006, three years after his final appearance, with a 35-47 minor league record and a 4.64 earned run average. During his career, he played under the tutelage of Larry Rothschild, Chuck Hernandez, Xavier Hernandez, and Chris Bosio, experience that would prepare him for the next phase of his career.
After hanging up his cleats, White began seeking a Bachelor of Science in Forest Resources, majoring in Wildlife from the University of Georgia while beginning his coaching career at Georgia Tech. He also served as the summer pitching coach and community coach for the Milton High School baseball team in Alpharetta, Ga.
White is married to the former Kristin Schmit, an attorney in Atlanta, and the couple has two daughters, Charlotte and Amelia.
Q U O T E S
Georgia Tech Head Coach Danny Hall
On White… "I think he is one of the brightest young minds in college baseball. He is a future star in the college coaching ranks. He has a great story to tell the young kids who have a dream of playing in the major leagues. He can tell these young high school athletes that college might be a better option than opting for the pros."
On White’s drive to be a college coach… "He played 10 years in the minor leagues and never made it in the big leagues. When he coached here (at Georgia Tech) he literally drove an hour and half to the University of Georgia every day to get his degree. And the reason he did that was he wanted to get into college coaching and he knew he needed that degree. He knew the path he needed to take."
On White going to Michigan… "He will contribute greatly to Michigan baseball. When he told me he accepted the job I was truly excited for him. I spent eight wonderful years up there and I know what a great a school Michigan is. I told Rich (Maloney) that he really helped us in three years here and I know he will just get better coaching with Rich and being at Michigan."
USA Baseball Executive Director/CEO Paul Seiler
On White… "He is special. I have known Matt since he has been a boy and in every situation from that day until now, he handles himself with class, dignity and humility. As a parent and I would always ask myself — would I have my son handed over to team or a coach to help become a better person and a better player, I would say definitely yes if the Matt was the coach."
On White’s coaching style… "He is a high energy guy and is passionate about baseball. When he gets to Michigan, he will be passionate about the program and the coaching staff. And when he sits down with recruits, he can answer all their questions and talk about their concerns. He understands what they are thinking, what they are feeling and he can answer them because he has been there, he has been through it all."
