Seminole State College has opened the search for a new coach for the Trojan baseball team.  The position will be advertised locally, statewide and regionally, as well as in national baseball publications.  The selection process will include input from College, community and alumni supporters.

SSC President Lana Reynolds said she expects there to be a lot of interest in the head coaching position.  “I believe we will have a large number of quality candidates.  We have a legendary program that has had tremendous success and produced a number of pro players.

“The program attracts top recruits and has strong support from the College and community, and from thousands of alumni who care deeply about the future of Trojan baseball.  We all are committed to finding a great coach who will build on our winning tradition and carry this program successfully into the future,” she said.

The 2017 Trojan Baseball team held a 43-16 record and took the title of Region II Champions. They were also runners-up in the South Central District Tournament. Overall, the College’s baseball program holds 23 NJCAA Region II Titles and 15 NJCAA South Central District Titles.  The Trojans have travelled to the JUCO World Series in Grand Junction, Colo. for 15 NJCAA national tournament appearances. The program has produced over 200 professional players, 44 major league players and 54 All-Americans.

SSC Athletic Director Mike St. John will chair the eight-member search committee.  Campus representation on the committee will include coaches, faculty, professional staff and classified staff.  Former Trojan baseball player and long-time supporter, David Maschino of Edmond, will also serve on the committee.  Maschino is the founder of NFP Corporate Benefits in Oklahoma City – an insurance broker and consultant company.

Reynolds has also named an advisory committee that will meet top candidates selected by the search committee.  The advisory group includes long-time baseball supporter and former Regent Melvin Moran, as well as two current Regents and Trojan baseball alums Ryan Franklin and Curtis Morgan.  Franklin was a Major League All-Star and Morgan was an NJCAA World Series MVP.

Three Trustees of the SSC Educational Foundation with ties to baseball will also serve.  Long-time Trojan fans and supporters Jim Hardin and Roy Sisco will join Trustee Brooke Kinslow Case who is a former SSC Belle and is married to former Trojan player and assistant coach Brett Case on the committee.

Other members include local business owner Hope Pickering, who serves as President of the SSC Booster Club and Interim Trojan Baseball Coach James Martin.

Reynolds said she is appreciative of these community and business leaders willingness to give of their time to provide input in this process.  “This is a distinguished and knowledgeable group of friends of Trojan baseball.  They will have a unique opportunity to meet the finalists for this job and provide feedback about the candidates,” she said.

The Trojan baseball team is currently led by long-time Assistant Coach James Martin, who assumed the helm after the resignation of Coach Dax Leone in December.  The Trojans kicked off their 2018 season in early February.

The search is anticipated to take approximately six weeks.  For best consideration, applicants should apply prior to March 27.  A full position description is available on the Seminole State College website at www.sscok.edu.  SSC Human Resources Director Courtney Jones may be contacted regarding additional information about the search process at 405-382-9204 or c.jones@sscok.edu.