M baseball hires 2 assistant coaches: Steve Merriman, Brandon Inge
According to a tweet from college baseball reporter Kendall Rogers, Michigan baseball has made 2 hires to fill out the coaching staff: Steve Merriman and Brandon Inge.
Steve Merriman will be the pitching coach. He was hired by the Colorado Rockies as their minor league pitching coordinator a couple of months ago. He, like former M pitching coach Chris Fetter (who is now the Tigers' pitching coach), was considered a leader on the use of technology & biometrics in teaching young pitchers. Fetter will be difficult to replace, but this is a great hire.
Michigan's other hire, which will get most of the attention, is former Detroit Tiger Brandon Inge as a volunteer assistant coach. A volunteer assistant coach works with the team but receives a minimal stipend (Division I baseball teams are only permitted a head coach and 2 assistants for official purposes). Volunteer assistants are usually grad students or other recent alumni, but it is almost always a pathway to a coaching gig in the next year or two.
January 3rd, 2021 at 7:08 PM ^
Inge as a volunteer assistant. Interesting.
January 3rd, 2021 at 7:18 PM ^
Our team is about to get a whole lot more gritty lol. Maybe go on half-season hot streaks, then not be able to buy a hit.
In all seriousness, Inge was a ton of fun to watch, and everyone rooted for the guy.
January 3rd, 2021 at 7:10 PM ^
I should point out that the other Volunteer Assistant will be Ako Thomas, the second baseman on the 2019 NCAA runner-up team.
Head Coach: Eric Bakich
Assistant Head Coach: Nick Schnabel (Hitting Coach)
Assistant Coach: Steve Merriman (Pitching Coach)
Director of Operations: Wayne Welton
Volunteer Assistant: Ako Thomas
Volunteer Assistant: Brandon Inge
January 3rd, 2021 at 7:15 PM ^
Merriman sounds great. And Brandon Inge!
One summer I was with my family in Michigan and though the Tigers were trying to set the record for losses, we decided to go. Playing the powerful Yankees.
Attendance was so low that cheap seats were available behind home plate, a couple rows up.
By the end of the game we had front row seats for one of the Tiger's rare winws, in Inge's walk-off home run! Sooooo exciting.
January 3rd, 2021 at 7:15 PM ^
Brandon Inge?
Brandon Inge!
January 3rd, 2021 at 7:16 PM ^
I always thought Inge would make a good coach. He's played multiple positions, stayed at the MLB level (Tigers' caveat) for a while. Great team-mate and absolutely amazing in the community.
January 3rd, 2021 at 7:18 PM ^
Bad hires. Warde should be fired for this.
January 3rd, 2021 at 8:31 PM ^
LoL, at least you're consistent.
January 3rd, 2021 at 7:22 PM ^
I was just doing some reading, and it seems Brandon Inge isn't the first ex-MLB player to become a volunteer assistant coach at a big-time program: Matt Holliday (Oklahoma State), Tim Hudson (Auburn), Greg Maddux (Nevada-Las Vegas) and Troy Tulowitzki (Texas) have all spent a year or two as volunteer coaches.
January 3rd, 2021 at 7:22 PM ^
I remember watching Brandon Inge play for the Whitecaps a very long time ago
January 3rd, 2021 at 7:23 PM ^
I don’t know if Inge has been a Michigan fan in general but I remember at the last hockey NC game him and his son were rooting for Michigan hard
January 3rd, 2021 at 7:26 PM ^
Brandon Inge! That’s awesome
January 3rd, 2021 at 7:48 PM ^
Inge has been very active in youth travel baseball in the SE Michigan area the last few years, first with Legacy Center up in Brighton and then with the new Little Caesar's program. I don't know if he lost interest in that or is still doing it but he seems to be looking for ways to stay involved with baseball. Wouldn't be surprised if he gets a full time coaching gig in a year in the area.
January 3rd, 2021 at 7:51 PM ^
This is nuts. I worked with Steve at an A/E firm two years ago. His daughter was a cheerleader at MSU so at the time he was rooting for Sparty. He’s coached at UM before and it’s nice to have him back.
January 3rd, 2021 at 8:20 PM ^
Brandon Inge utility specialist and one of my favorite Detroit Tigers. This is Big!!!! Unbelievable that all others sports beside the Big Elephant are thriving and in good hands.
January 3rd, 2021 at 8:39 PM ^
Inge made over $42M in his career; I think he's good for cash.
I always liked Inge so I'm glad he's coming to UM; Merriman I don't know much about but sounds like a nice, smart hire.
January 3rd, 2021 at 8:43 PM ^
IDK those property taxes in washtenaw county are a bitch!
January 3rd, 2021 at 8:42 PM ^
I hope Inge isn't going to coach hitting.
He could have been as good as Jeter if he wasn't so damn insistent on trying to be a power hitter.
January 3rd, 2021 at 8:46 PM ^
I love having Inge onboard! He was the spark that pulled the team out of a terrible start and a well deserved All Star that year. I'm sure he'll show the players how to prepare like a professional.
January 3rd, 2021 at 9:56 PM ^
Obviously, Fire Bakich!
January 3rd, 2021 at 10:23 PM ^
Brandon Inge!?!?!! That is wild! I actually love that. Long time major league player who had bouts of success, and has experience catching, playing third-base and outfield at the highest level. He played in a World Series too. I really hope this works out.
January 3rd, 2021 at 10:39 PM ^
Interesting. Looking forward to Michigan baseball.
January 3rd, 2021 at 11:02 PM ^
Always loved Brandon I. Hard working guy who was a starter on the worst team ever (2003 Tigers) and one of my favorite teams (2006 Tigers that beat NYY and OAK).
He doesn't take a play off and hopefully helps with the work ethic that the BB team already demonstrates.
January 3rd, 2021 at 11:24 PM ^
Man I loved Brandon Inge. Until I didnt.