Nicholls State head baseball coach Seth Thibodeaux announced some changes to the baseball staff on Thursday afternoon, most notably Ford Pemberton’s promotion to volunteer assistant coach and Jason McDonald’s return to the team as director of player development.
McDonald was a member of the 2014 and 2015 Colonels baseball squads, capping off his senior season with a 2.86 ERA in 21 appearances out of the bullpen.
He graduated magna cum laude from Nicholls in May 2015 and spent the last two years coaching baseball at George County High School (2016-17) and Center Hill High School (2015-16).
McDonald will assist with strength training, video coordination, practice planning, and pitchers’ throwing and off-season conditioning programs.
Zach Butler and Walt Jones will return as assistant coach and associate head coach, respectively, for the 2017-18 season.
Former volunteer assistant coach Erik Schoenrock has accepted the head baseball coaching position at Southwest Tennessee Community College.
“I am really happy for Erik getting the head job at Southwest Tennessee, but just as proud to promote Ford Pemberton for a job he worked really hard for,” Thibodeaux said. “He is hard working, very loyal and does things the Colonel way. He is a great fit for our players.”