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Aug. 27, 2003
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – University of Virginia head baseball coach Brian O’Connor has announced another key addition to his coaching staff. O’Connor named Kevin McMullan as his top assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. McMullan, a 1990 graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), will also serve as UVa’s hitting coach and will work extensively with the Cavaliers’ infielders and catchers. McMullan is the second assistant coach named to O’Connor staff and joins current assistant coach Karl Kuhn, who was recently named Virginia’s pitching coach on July 30th. The addition of McMullan rounds out O’Connor’s coaching staff.
“Kevin McMullan is a tremendous addition to the University of Virginia and our baseball program,” said O’Connor. “He has experienced a high level of success at all levels of baseball. His accomplishments as a player, college coach and manger in professional baseball will allow him to make an immediate impact in our program. Kevin will work with the hitters, defense and be our recruiting coordinator. I am ecstatic Kevin has made the decision to come back to college baseball.”
McMullan comes to UVa with a wealth of baseball experience as both a coach and as a player. He arrived in Charlottesville after serving as the team manager of the Danville Braves (A) of the Atlanta Braves organization. McMullan began his coaching stint with the Braves in 2002 and also served as the spring training catching coordinator and the field coordinator in extended spring training.
Before arriving in Danville, McMullan served as the acting head coach at East Carolina University from 2001-2002 and was a member of the Pirates’ coaching staff from 1999-2002. At ECU, he was also the recruiting coordinator, hitting coach and catching instructor. In McMullan’s three seasons at East Carolina, the Pirates posted a combined record of 138-46 which placed ECU in the top five programs in the country in wins, averaging 46 victories a season. East Carolina earned two number one seeds and a number two seed in the NCAA Regionals during his tenure at ECU. The Pirates won a regional championship, three conference championships and finished ranked in the Top 25 three consecutive years while McMullan was in Greenville. In 2002, ECU also broke the school record for most home runs and set the single season wins record under his guidance.
“Every level that Kevin has coached, his offensive teams have performed at a very high level,” stated O’Connor. “He will prepare our players to succeed and win for UVa while helping them prepare for professional baseball. Kevin has a plan to develop our hitters and help every player reach his full potential. The players are excited to start working with Kevin this fall.”
In the college ranks, McMullan has had 33 players drafted or signed by professional organizations. He also served as an assistant coach at St. John’s University (1996-1999) and as a head coach at IUP (1994-1996). At St. John’s, McMullan was the recruiting coordinator and hitting coach and guided SJU to three Big East championship appearances including the Big East title and a NCAA Regional berth in 1997. In 1998, the Red Storm broke school records for hits, doubles, home runs, RBI and slugging percentage. At IUP, McMullan’s head coaching responsibilities also consisted of serving as the strength and conditioning coordinator as well as recruiting and scheduling for the Indians’ program.
“Kevin brings a strong reputation on the East Coast in the area of recruiting,” said O’Connor. “His experience and success as a former recruiting coordinator will be a critical factor in the future of our baseball program. Kevin has a great eye for talent and the intangibles a player must have to be successful and win at the highest level of college baseball. Kevin and Karl will work together to attract outstanding student-athletes to the University of Virginia.”
Aside from his numerous coaching experiences, McMullan also has a decorated career as a professional baseball player. He enjoyed a pro baseball career as a member of the New York Yankees organization (1990-1992) and for the Salt Lake City Trappers (1990 & 1992) as a catcher. He was also named to the Pioneer League All-Star Team in 1990. McMullan played at IUP where he was a NCAA All-American in baseball and football.
“I am very excited with the opportunity Coach O’Connor has given my family and I to come to the University of Virginia,” said McMullan. “I look forward to the daily process necessary to build a championship caliber baseball program at UVa.”
— UVa —