Michael Tompkins named Head Coach at Alabama A&M

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FROM CBD NEWS SOURCE
NORMAL – Interim head baseball coach Michael Tompkins has dropped the interim tag at the beginning of his title as he has been named the next head baseball coach at Alabama A&M University.

Tompkins, beginning his third season at A&M, one as an assistant and one as interim coach, inherited a tough situation last January when head coach Eddie McCann retired due to health reasons and Tompkins was thrust into the job.

The young Bulldogs started off 2012 strong defeating Indiana Purdue-Fort Wayne 8-5 in their first contest and went 5-6 in their first 11 games. But it was not to be for the youngest coach in Division I as they finished the season 8-42 overall and 1-23 in the league.

“I would like to thank AD Hicks for offering me the position as well as the student-athletes for returning to the program,” said Tompkins. “The process went well and I am happy with it. I also would like to thank Dr. Andrew Hugine and Dr. Kevin Rolle for the opportunity in the 2012 season and I appreciate them for continuing it.”

When Tompkins was named the head coach he suddenly became famous as he earned the title of the youngest head coach among all Division 1 colleges and universities.

The former collegiate baseball player has made a number of improvements to the A&M baseball field including the Maroon wooden fence, railings and netting in front of the dugouts, repainting of the dugouts, and field, a warning track and a new sound system. All that took place during the 2012 season.

Currently coach Tompkins has taken down all fencing remaining on the backstop and will be replacing it with a cinderblock back stop and netting leading up to the dugouts to increase viewing of the playing field.

“We are excited about the hiring of Michael Tompkins as our next head baseball coach,” AD Bryan Hicks mentioned. “He has the class and integrity we were looking for. His passion and experience towards baseball and the development of student-athletes is something we need as we work to build the A&M baseball program to its past glory.”