ROCHESTER, Mich. – Jordon Banfield has been named head coach of the Oakland University baseball program, announced Director of Athletics Steve Waterfield on Friday.
“I am happy to welcome Jordon to the Oakland University Athletics Department family and am very pleased that he will be leading the baseball program,” Waterfield said. “From a very strong candidate pool, Jordon impressed with his vision for the baseball program, recruiting success at multiple institutions, and plans to engage Oakland University baseball alumni and the Michigan baseball community. Moreover, he appreciates Oakland University’s remarkable institutional strengths and possesses an optimism that will propel the baseball program to sustained excellence.”
Banfield joins the Golden Grizzlies after spending the past two seasons as the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at Akron.
“I want to thank Steve Waterfield for selecting me as the next head coach of the Oakland University baseball program,” Banfield said. “Throughout the interview process it became clear that our vision for a first-class NCAA Division I baseball program and optimism for the future were closely aligned, and I am truly honored to be here. I have high expectations for Golden Grizzlies baseball moving forward and vow to do my absolute best to guide our players to success on the field, in the classroom and in the community. I look forward to developing our program culture and building a tradition that Oakland University can be proud of.”
During his time at Akron, Banfield managed all aspects of recruiting including evaluation, budget, organization, admissions, and recruiting visits. Additionally, Banfield oversaw student-athlete’s academic success comprising of scheduling, eligibility and advising. He led Akron’s infielders and team defense while also assisting with the offense.
Before joining the Zips’ coaching staff, Banfield spent a year as the Arizona scouting director for Prep Baseball Report and two seasons at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator (2015-17).
During his first season at UTRGV, Banfield managed all aspects of recruiting, scheduling, academics, and eligibility. He oversaw a defensive unit that posted a WAC-leading .972 fielding percentage, the second-best mark in NCAA Division I program history. UTRGV also committed a WAC-low 52 errors.
In his second season, Banfield coached the offense to a .273/.378/.385 line with 26 home runs and 16 triples, its highest totals since 2010. Under Banfield’s guidance, UTRGV increased its home run total by 15, its triples total by seven, and its doubles total by 18 while scoring an additional 79 runs. Banfield also helped the base runners to 52 stolen bases and the infielders to a .973 fielding percentage.
Banfield spent two seasons (2013-15) at the University of Illinois-Springfield as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. In his first season at UIS, the Prairie Stars broke 20 school records and finished with 28 wins and the program’s first-ever appearance in the GLVC Tournament. Banfield signed 32 new players to the 2014-15 roster as part of the first recruiting class. The first class he signed went 45-5 as seniors, included the NCAA home run leader, and finished the year ranked fourth in the country.
Banfield managed one of the top travel programs in the country out of Ann Arbor, Mich. while also working for the Texas Rangers as a professional scout.
As head coach of the Ann Arbor Travelers, Banfield led the team to 22 tournament victories, producing 20 NCAA Division I signees and multiple MLB draft picks including major leaguer James Bourque. The Travelers became the first Michigan team in 30 years to qualify for the Connie Mack World Series in back-to-back seasons. Banfield managed the program’s recruiting efforts, off-season development, fundraising, and college placement.
Working under former NCAA Division I head coach and area scout Roger Coryell, Banfield was responsible for covering amateur prospects in Michigan and Ohio as well as setting up yearly free agent workouts.
An Ann Arbor, Mich., native, Banfield earned a bachelor’s degree in sport management from the University of Michigan in 2008. Banfield was an All-State selection at Ann Arbor Greenhills High School and a member of the Ann Arbor Braves program that produced three major league baseball players.
