CHARLESTON, Ill. – The Eastern Illinois University Athletic Department has announced that the contract for Panther head baseball coach Jim Schmitz will not be renewed. A search for his successor will begin immediately.
Schmitz completed his 21st season as the EIU head coach with the Panthers finishing the 2015 season with a 13-39 record. EIU finished last in the Ohio Valley Conference missing the OVC Tournament for the second time in the last three years. Schmitz compiled a record of 533-581-1 during his time at EIU. Included in those 21 seasons were two NCAA Regional Bids in 1999 and 2008.
Schmitz has a career record of 699-742-1 which includes four seasons as the head coach at Cincinnati (1987-90) and three seasons at Wilmington (Ohio) (1984-86).
“We want to thank Jim for his effort and dedication to the Panther baseball program for these many years,” said EIU Athletics Director Tom Michael. “At this time, we believe the program needs to go in a new direction. We wish Jim nothing but the best in his future.”
