FROM CBD NEWS SOURCE
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – University of Memphis head baseball coach Daron Schoenrock announced Friday that former East Tennessee State coach Clay Greene will join his coaching staff as the Tigers’ hitting coach and recruiting coordinator.
“I can’t begin to express my excitement to bring Clay Greene to the University of Memphis,” Schoenrock said. “I have known Coach Greene since his playing days at Cleveland State Community College and have thoroughly enjoyed following his playing and coaching career. He will impact our hitters, is a very well respected recruiter, a committed husband and father, and comes very highly recommended as one of the top up and coming young coaches in the country.”
Greene spent the last six seasons working with the hitters at East Tennessee State, while also serving as recruiting coordinator. ETSU claimed a program-best 36 wins in 2011 and narrowly missed out on a NCAA Tournament bid. The 2010 season saw several offensive records broken under the guidance of Greene as the Bucs secured program records for runs scored (503), hits (724), home runs (93), doubles (142) and RBI (471).
In 2011, the ETSU offense led the nation with 86 home runs in 57 games played. Under the tutelage of Greene, the Bucs posted top-five marks in home runs in three of his six seasons at ETSU (2008, 2010, and 2011). Greene coached two-time All-American Paul Hoilman and first team All-American Bo Reeder while at ETSU, the fifth and sixth All-Americans in ETSU program history.
Prior to his stint at ETSU, Greene spent three seasons at the University of Tennessee as an assistant, helping guide the Volunteers to the College World Series in 2005. Prior to his coaching career, Greene also played for Tennessee from 1996-97 and spent four seasons playing professionally in the San Francisco farm system.
Greene, who was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 1997, played four seasons in the minor leagues. He began his career with Salem-Keizer in the short-season Northwest League before spending two seasons with Bakersfield and a final pro season with the San Jose Giants in the Class A Advanced California League from 1998-2000. He also spent two years coaching at the Thunder Baseball School in Knoxville, Tenn., helping teach youngsters the fundamentals of the game.
As a Vol, Greene helped Tennessee to back-to-back NCAA Regionals in 1996 and 1997. The center fielder led the nation and set a then-school-record with 54 stolen bases during his senior campaign. He finished his two-year career with a .318 average, eight home runs and 87 stolen bases. He also reeled off a 14-game hitting streak during his final season, while swiping a Southeastern Conference single-game record six bases in seven attempts against MTSU.
A native of Cleveland, Tenn., he helped lead Cleveland High School to a district title and a runner-up finish in the regional during his senior campaign. He also established a school record for stolen bases in a season with 37. He earned his degree in sport management from the University of Tennessee in 2001.
Greene is married to the former Heather Redecker, who played soccer at the University of Tennessee from 1996-99. The couple has a son, AJ (4) and a daughter, Katelyn (1).
