Former Pioneers’ standout was Marauders’ interim coach; he’s been promoted
Got this press release about MU naming Jon Shehan its new head baseball coach:
Millersville Names Shehan Head Baseball Coach
July 31, 2008
Millersville, Pa. – Jon Shehan led the Millersville baseball team to a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division title as the interim head coach in 2008, and on Thursday, July 31, Millersville Director of Athletics Peg Kauffman announced that his hiring as head coach and that the interim tag has been removed.
“Jon did an outstanding job as the interim coach,” Kauffman stated. “It was clear that he was the best fit, and we are really excited to have him as the leader of the baseball program.”
Shehan, a former Millersville catcher and 2006 graduate, was named PSAC Eastern Division Coach of the Year during his first season as the interim head coach. Under his direction, the Marauders improved by 15 victories, finishing 24-26 overall and 12-8 in the division after going 9-37 the previous year. Millersville won its first division championship in eight seasons and made its first PSAC Tournament appearance since 2000. The 24 victories were the most of any first-year head coach in school history, and he became the only coach in Millersville’s 112 years of baseball to win a divisional title in his first season.
“He’s already proven himself to be an excellent coach and leader on and off the field,” Kauffman said. “He relates to the student-athletes, and they have responded to him. We are fortunate to have such a young, enthusiastic coach that is also a proud Millersville alum.”
The Marauders opened the season 6-20 and 0-4 in conference play but responded by winning 16 of its next 18 games. In the PSAC Tournament, which was held at nearby Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster, Pa., the Marauders knocked off Slippery Rock in the first round and later eliminated eventual NCAA Division II World Series qualifier Shippensburg by a 13-8 score in 10 innings.
Under Shehan’s guidance, four Marauders earned All-PSAC mention, and freshman Derek Kline was named PSAC East Rookie of the Year.
Kline’s award-winning season was proof of Shehan’s recruiting ability, as Kline was one of the 16 recruits that Shehan brought in during the offseason.
Prior to 2008, Shehan had served as an assistant coach for two seasons. In his first season as the team’s hitting coach, he upped the team’s offensive statistics from the previous year in batting average (.267 to .307), on base percentage (.339 to .372), slugging percentage (.360 to .424) and home runs (12 to 26).
As a player, Shehan hit .328 during his four-year career at Millersville. In 2004, he was an All-PSAC First Team pick at catcher and led the NCAA in doubles per game. He hit a team-leading .397 as a senior and set a school record for doubles in a season with 23. Following that season, Shehan signed a free agent contract with the Atlanta Braves and played two seasons in the organization.
Shehan earned his bachelor’s degree in technology education from Millersville in 2006 and is currently working toward a master’s degree in sport management.
