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JMU baseball coach Spanky McFarland to retire after 2015 season

Chris Graham

jmu logoJames Madison head baseball coach Joe “Spanky” McFarland has announced that the 2015 season, his 18th as leader of the Dukes, will be his final one as he will retire from coaching in June.

“This spring will be my 38th season of coaching college baseball and it will be my last, as I plan to retire at the conclusion of what will be my 18th season at JMU,” McFarland said. “After coaching at eight colleges in five different states, Deb and I are ready to get off the roller coaster ride that college athletics and plan to devote time to mutual interests.”

A two-time Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Coach of the Year selection in 2002 and 2010, McFarland led JMU to CAA Championships in 2008 and 2011 and three NCAA Tournament appearances in 2002, 2008 and 2011. McFarland has a JMU coaching record of 503-450-4 and his 646 Division I wins, including his time at Northern Illinois, placing him among the top 50 active college coaches for career victories at four-year institutions. He was also the Louisville Slugger Conference Coach of the Year four times and East Region Co-Coach of the Year pick by the American Baseball Coaches Association in 2011.

 
 




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Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected]. Support AFP by signing up for our newsletter and/or powering our work with a one-time or monthly contribution.

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