Stockton, Calif. – University of the Pacific Director of Athletics Ted Leland has announced the hiring of Mike Neu as the newest head coach of the Pacific baseball program.
Neu has spent the last four seasons at Cal as the Bears’ pitching coach. Neu will bring with him experience both as a standout collegiate and professional pitcher as well as coaching experience both as a head coach at Diablo Valley College and Cal.
“I am happy to have Mike joining the Pacific family as the head of Pacific Baseball,” said Leland. “He has proven himself at every level as a player, a coach, and a recruiter. I am confident that Mike will push this program further in the right direction and shape it into the premier program in the WCC.”
“I am excited about the opportunity at Pacific,” said Neu. “It is an outstanding University with great facilities and an unbelievable support staff. I look forward to continue building the program and competing for a West Coast Conference championship.”
In four seasons at Cal, Neu helped shape the Bears’ pitching staff into one of the finer units in the ultra-competitive Pac-12 as the Bears finished fourth in the conference in ERA in 2015 with a team ERA of just 3.03. With Neu’s pitchers leading the way, the Bears pushed their way into the top-25 during the year and made their way to the finals of the Texas A&M Regional in the NCAA Tournament. In what would be his final season at Cal in 2015, Neu molded a pair of Bear freshmen hurlers into Louisville Slugger All-Americans while also putting one of his pitchers on the All-Pac 12 First Team. Additionally, Neu’s protege on the mound, Daulton Jefferies, earned a spot on the Collegiate National Team for the summer of 2015. Throughout his four seasons at Cal, Neu helped guide six different pitchers to the professional level through the MLB Amateur Draft.
Prior to Cal, Neu was head coach at Diablo Valley College from 2009-11, leading his team to a 87-41 mark (.680) with two Big 8 Conference titles in three years. His 2011 squad was ranked No. 1 in Northern California and his pitching staff led all the California Community Colleges with a 2.13 team ERA. Prior to taking over the reigns at DVC, Neu was the team’s pitching coach for two seasons. Additionally, he spent time as an associate scout for both the Kansas City Royals and the Atlanta Braves before moving into the coaching ranks.
As a player, Neu spent two years in the Big Leagues after being drafted in 1999 by the Cincinnati Reds after a standout career at Miami. The right-hander played for both the Oakland A’s and the Florida Marlins in his major league career. He debuted with the A’s on April 9, 2003 and proceeded to post a 3.64 ERA in 32.0 relief appearances (42.0 innings) during his rookie season. He also spent 2001 in Stockton as a member of the Mudville Nine, then the Single A affiliate of the Reds.
At the University of Miami Neu had a stellar 1999 campaign and helped the Hurricanes capture the College World Series title with a 6-5 victory over Florida State in the championship game. He finished the year 3-1 with a 2.94 ERA and tallied 110 strikeouts in 67.0 innings, earning Collegiate Baseball All-America honors. Neu led the nation in strikeouts per nine innings (14.8) and was selected to the All-College World Series team with three saves and appearances in all four of Miami’s games at the CWS.
Neu had transferred to Miami from Sacramento City College where in 1998 he was the Northern California Pitcher of the Year, the Bay Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year and a junior college All-American while going 15-0 with a 1.44 ERA and 139 strikeouts in 108.0 innings. He was named the 1998 Cal State Championship Final Four MVP after throwing 11.0 innings with no earned runs and notching a win and a save in the state tournament.
Neu earned a Masters in physical education from Ball State in 2011.
Neu is married to his wife, Nicole. They have one son, Damon.
