FROM CBD NEWS SOURCE
GREENSBORO, N.C. – North Carolina A&T Director of Athletics Earl Hilton announced the appointment of Joel Sanchez to be the new head baseball coach. Sanchez joins the Aggie family with extensive coaching and playing experience on the collegiate and professional levels.
“Coach Sanchez has what I call ‘championship experience,'” said Hilton. “He spent numerous years learning what it takes to win championships on a consistent basis. We are excited about blending his winning knowhow with what we believe is already an outstanding baseball program.”
Prior to joining N.C.A&T, Sanchez held the assistant baseball coaching position at Daytona State College for one season in 2011.
The bulk of Sanchez’s coaching success came during his eight seasons (2001-08) at Bethune-Cookman University, where he served as the head assistant under ÂMervyl Melendez. During his stint at B-CU, the Wildcats earned seven MEAC Championships, and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Regional each time.
Sanchez’s coaching experience is not limited to college baseball. He served as the minor league pitching coach for the Gulf Coast League Nationals, the rookie-level minor league affiliate of the Washington Nationals in 2010; and the Vermont Lake Monsters, the short-season level-A affiliate of the Nationals in 2009. He was responsible pitching staff of each team.
As a player, Sanchez played professionally with the Ciudad Juarez of Chihuahua, Mexico from 1997-1999. He was a two-year letterman at New Mexico State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1998.
Sanchez replaces Keith Shumate, who resigned in July after 15 seasons with the Aggies. Austin Love will remain as an assistant for the program.
“I’m excited about getting to work, and getting back on the field,” said Sanchez. “We’ve got a good group of players returning, and I think we’ve got some new guys that will also be contributors. Coach Shumate and coach Love have done an outstanding job with putting together quality teams in the past, and I think the same of this group. I know this group is ready to compete for the MEAC Championship right away. It’s time to implement the plan and get to work.”
