Experienced collegiate coach and administrator Jeremy Sheetinger has been hired to continue the Georgia Gwinnett College baseball program’s proud tra
dition of success in competition nationally and regionally.
Associate Vice President of Athletics Dr. Darin S. Wilson announced Sheetinger’s appointment at a press conference Friday, July 26. He officially begins July 31 as the
second head coach in the baseball program’s seven-year history.
“After an extensive national search, I am thrilled to introduce Jeremy Sheetinger as the next leader
of our nationally ranked baseball program,” said Wilson. “Jeremy rose to the top of an outstanding pool of applicants, due to his wide range of baseball experience encompassing all collegiate divisions. I look forward to him meeting the team and recruiting talented student-athletes to continue our tradition of high caliber baseball at GGC.”
Sheetinger takes over a Georgia Gwinnett College program that’s been consistently ranked among the nation’s top NAIA teams. The Grizzlies have advanced to the semifinal round of the Avista NAIA World Series for the past two seasons, along with another world series appearance in 2014. The 2019 team had a 48-13 record, won the Association of Independent Institutions title and had five players sign to continue their playing careers as professionals.
“GGC’s impressive track record of success on the diamond over the past seven seasons makes this truly the best small college job in the country,” said Sheetinger. “A vibrant and expanding campus community, under the leadership of Dr. [Jann L.] Joseph, and flagship athletic department, with the creative vision of Dr. Wilson, provide the GGC baseball program with an ideal environment to cement ourselves as an upper echelon NAIA baseball program.”
For the past four years, Sheetinger has served as the college division liaison for the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA). He was responsible for organization communications and relationship building within coaches and administrators at NCAA Division II and III, NAIA and junior college levels. He helped facilitate a 200-percent growth rate in ABCA membership and attendance records for three of the organization’s annual conventions.
Sheetinger’s recent outreach efforts were as creator and executive producer of the ABCA’s “The Road Show” and “Extra Innings” video features, where he would interview coaches about a variety of subjects about the game, game-day operations and program management.
He has served as an associate scout for the Atlanta Braves since 2015.
“The opportunity to step away from the dugout and serve other coaches provided real perspectives to the game, along with invaluable personal and professional development experiences,” said Sheetinger. “Finding the purest sense of servant leadership, reflecting upon previous dugout coaching experiences, and gaining wisdom from within the coaching community has showcased the immense responsibility that’s behind the word ‘coach.'”
As a coach, Sheetinger spent three seasons as head coach at Spalding University in Louisville, Ky., posting an 86-43 record, including a school-record 33 victories at the NCAA Division III level in the 2013 season, and three conference postseason tournament appearances. The Eagles had top 10 statistical rankings in numerous offensive and defensive categories among Division III teams.
Sheetinger’s coaching experiences also include being director of baseball operations at NCAA Division I University of Kentucky for three seasons, the lead assistant coach at NCAA Division II St. Joseph’s College (Ind.) for two seasons, and assistant coach with NAIA programs at Brescia University (Ky.) and Georgetown College (Ky.).
“On behalf of our coaching staff, we’re thrilled to serve our players and can’t wait to get to work,” he said.
Sheetinger and his wife, Chelsea, have a son, Cooper, and daughter, CJ.
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What They Are Saying:
John Cohen
Mississippi State University Director of Athletics
“I don’t think anyone in the country understands the landscape of college baseball the way Coach Sheetinger does. Great recruiter, excellent tactician/teacher, and superior leader…this is what GGC is getting.”
Craig Keilitz
ABCA Executive Director
“Georgia Gwinnett College made a terrific hire in Sheets Sheetinger. Sheets is passionate, creative and he is a winner. His teams will win championships, but more importantly his ball players will mature in to first class men under his guidance. Enjoy the ride.”
Brian Green
Washington State University Head Coach
“Home Run Hire for GGC! What Sheets did for the ABCA was tremendous. As with anything, we are all interested in making an impact and improving our teams. He certainly did that for the Coaches Association. And having the opportunity to know Jeremy 1st hand from Kentucky, he will improve an already outstanding program. Congrats to Sheets and the Leadership Team! His players will be impacted through relationship and team building development.”
Alan Jaeger
Jaeger Sports
“There is no simpler way to say this — Jeremy Sheetinger is going to have a profound effect on the GGC Baseball Program. Jeremy’s character, integrity and passion are off the charts. He has an uncanny ability to lead, and listen. He truly cares about making people around him better. He understands the game on a deep level and his coaches are going to love working with him, and his players are going to want to run through a wall for him. This is the culture that Jeremy Sheetinger is going to bring to GGC Baseball — and the impact is going to be immediate.”