Former R-MC Assistant Returns to Roanoke Valley

SALEM, Va. --- Matt McGuire will serve as the new head coach of the Roanoke College Baseball program announced by Director of Athletics, Scott Allison Friday.  He will replace Larry Wood, who retired after the 2012 season.

"We are very pleased to have Matt join our program," said Allison.   "His baseball pedigree, coupled with his knowledge of both the ODAC and Roanoke Valley baseball scenes allow us to hit the ground running.  Matt stands ready to lead our program to new heights, on and off the field.”

McGuire earned his stripes with several Assistant Coaching stints.  He returns to the Roanoke Valley after a year at ODAC rival Randolph-Macon College and a three-year post at Ferrum College. During the 2007-08 season, McGuire served as an assistant at Tennessee Wesleyan College (NAIA).  The Bulldogs won the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) regular-season and tournament championship.

In 2006-07 McGuire joined his collegiate coach, Marlin Ikenberry, at Division I Virginia Military Institute.  The Keydets posted their first wins over ranked opponents that season, defeating No. 3 Virginia and No. 10 Auburn.  VMI set the school-record for wins that year. In addition to the wins over the Cavaliers and the Tigers, the Keydets defeated the University of Florida.

"I am extremely excited to be coming home to the Valley and landing my first head coaching position at Roanoke College," said McGuire. "I've known about the program for ten years.  I am very anxious to get started."

The program brings back a strong local nucleus of talent from the Roanoke Valley, which include First-Team All-ODAC selection,Brian Kluge, Third-Team All-ODAC pitcher Dalton Altizer, slugger Mark Manthe and third basemen and fellow William Byrd products, Jacob Clifton, Jacob McMillian, Chad Hill and Bradley Mattox.  Senior 2011 All-ODAC hurler Tyler Grouten also returns after a tough season following a knee surgery last summer.

McGuire earned his bachelor's degree in 2003 from the College of William & Mary, where he played baseball for the Tribe. An infielder, McGuire was team captain of the Tribe in 2002 and the W&M squad that captured the programs' first CAA Championship and advanced to the NCAA Clemson Regional in 2001.

A Vinton, VA native, McGuire was a standout at William Byrd High School.

McGuire's position will begin effective July 1.

--- This release is courtesy of the Roanoke College sports information department. ---
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