ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Winthrop Athletic Director Chuck Rey announced today that
Mike McGuire would join the university as the new baseball head coach.
McGuire returns to the Winthrop baseball program after serving as head coach at USC
Upstate the last five seasons. This marks McGuire's third stint with the Eagle program
as he spent 12 seasons as an assistant coach from 1997-2002 and again in 2006-2011.
"I would like to thank President Edward Serna and Athletic Director Chuck Rey for this opportunity and the commitment they are making to Winthrop baseball," said McGuire. "This is a program that at one time was among the top mid major programs in the country. I believe it can be once again, and I'm excited to get to work."
McGuire has found success at all stops of his career. During his time at USC Upstate, the program achieved its highest level of success: 82 Big South Conference victories (72% winning percentage), six wins against Power 5 teams including Clemson (three times), USC, Georgia Tech, Cincinnati, and Northwestern. During his 11 seasons as a Division I head coach, McGuire's teams have captured 19 Power-Six victories and 13 victories over ranked opponents.
Rey expressed excitement at having an old friend back among the staff.
"It is great to have Mac back home! We've known each other from when we were both assistant coaches at Winthrop," the AD said. "He is a man of the utmost integrity who guides young men the right way, is a passionate leader, and a winner. He has been a part of some of the greatest achievements in Eagle baseball history, has great respect from the Winthrop community, and we know he is the right man to lead this program to even greater successes."
At four different institutions, McGuire has earned national respect from the baseball community as a program builder. In the past seven seasons, his teams have captured 35 or more wins (excluding the COVID season), and he has coached more than 60 players who have moved on to the professional ranks and 26 All-Americans.
At USC Upstate the program earned a program best 38 wins in 2023; at Morehead State, 40 wins in 2019 while McGuire was head coach for seven years with two NCAA Regional appearances; Louisburg College, a career high 52 wins in 2012 and #1 national ranking in the NJCAA; and at Lander University, a program best 33 wins in 2004 and Top 25 all three seasons.
McGuire played professionally for the Zanesville Greys, a Class A Frontier League affiliate, from 1993 to 1994. He helped the Greys win the Frontier League Championship in 1993. McGuire played collegiately at the University of South Carolina from 1992-1994 and participated in two NCAA Regionals and at the University of Akron from 1990-1991.
A graduate of both the University of South Carolina and Morehead State University, McGuire appreciates the opportunity to rejoin the Winthrop family.
"I want to thank past, present, and future Winthrop baseball players, coaches and fans for making Winthrop a special place where my coaching career really started and my family and I get to call home once again."
McGuire is married to the former Angela Kearns of Heyworth, Ill., and together the couple has three daughters, Courtney, Sydney, and Sarah.
