Wednesday, November 28, 2012

JU baseball coach Terry Alexander to step down after 2013 season

Jacksonville University baseball coach Terry Alexander, the longest-tenured and winningest coach of any sport in school history, will announce at a Wednesday press conference that he intends to step down after the 2013 season, the Times-Union has learned.

Alexander, a Jacksonville native, has compiled a 713-590-2 record in 22 seasons as head coach and his teams have made a JU-record 10 NCAA tournament appearances during that span.

The announcement comes just six months after the Dolphins had their worst season under Alexander, finishing with an 18-38 record and in last place in the Atlantic Sun Conference.

It?s no coincidence that Alexander?s resignation comes in the wake of that disastrous season, according to several sources. While there are major administrative changes taking place at the school, with president Kerry Romesburg leaving next spring and the appointment of Brad Edwards as athletic director in July, sources have told the T-U that none of those moves are related to the exit of Alexander.

The decision by Alexander to step down was made prior to Edwards? arrival, though it?s not clear why the announcement is coming now after being the subject of speculation around campus for months. Sources have also said that Romesburg?s successor, Tim Cost, a former JU baseball player for one season while Alexander was an assistant, had no input in the decision. Cost was appointed school president last month.

When contacted Tuesday by the Times-Union, Alexander declined to comment on his impending announcement, which will come Wednesday morning at the JU baseball complex. No decision has been made about Alexander?s replacement, though six-year pitching coach Tim Montez is believed to be a viable candidate. The feeling in JU baseball circles is much will depend on how much improvement the Dolphins show next season.

Alexander?s impending departure will end one of the most successful coaching runs in JU history. Alexander, 57, came to the Dolphins as an assistant in 1980 under former boss Tom Bradley, serving in that capacity for 11 seasons before succeeding Bradley in 1991.

Despite the limitations of being in a high-priced private school, where partial baseball scholarships do not cover as much of the tuition cost as at public universities, Alexander?s teams won six conference tournament titles, one regular-season crown, and made 10 appearances in the NCAA regionals.

Alexander was also instrumental in raising money for JU?s state-of-the-art baseball complex at John Sessions Stadium, which was built in different phases from 1992-95.

Under Alexander, the Dolphins also produced seven Major League Baseball players, including current New York Met and Englewood High graduate Daniel Murphy.

Alexander, a Florida State and Lee High graduate, was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1977 and played in their minor-league organization for one year before suffering a career-ending back injury.

Gene.frenette@jacksonville.com: (904) 359-4540

Source: http://m.jacksonville.com/sports/2012-11-27/story/ju-baseball-coach-terry-alexander-step-down-after-2013-season

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