University of Memphis Athletics
Baseball Welcomes Derrick Dunbar to Coaching Staff
Oct 13, 2008 | Baseball
Oct. 13, 2008
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - University of Memphis head baseball Coach Daron Schoenrock announced that former Jackson State Community College top assistant Derrick Dunbar has been hired as the team's volunteer assistant coach/camps coordinator. Dunbar replaces former Tiger catcher and assistant Cory Barton, who took an assistant coaching position at Louisiana-Monroe last month.
"We are very excited to add someone with Derrick's knowledge, expertise and work ethic to our staff," stated Schoenrock. "Our players and program will benefit from his decision to join us in Memphis."
As the volunteer assistant/camps coordinator, Dunbar will take over as the director of Memphis baseball's summer camps, as well as overseeing summer high school tournaments and the Fall Instructional League administration. In addition, he will take charge of maintenance and upkeep of Tom DeHart Field and maintain contact with former Tiger players. On the field, he will coach the Tiger infielders and help with the hitters.
"I'm excited to be on this staff with Coach Schoenrock, Coach Federico, Coach Zulli and Al Woods," Dunbar said. "This position along with my coaching experience gives me a better opportunity to open doors in the future. I'm thrilled to be at the University of Memphis."
Dunbar brings 13 years of experience in competitive baseball, as either a player of coach. As a player, he was a four-year letterwinner as a first baseman and left-handed pitcher at Northwest High School in Clarksville, Tenn. from 1994-1997. He served as the team's captain from 1996-97. Success at the prep level garnered him a spot on the roster at Austin Peay University, where he lettered for head coach Gary McClure from 1997-2002. The southpaw saw time on the mound and at first base in his collegiate career and was the Govs team captain in 2001-02.
While at Austin Peay, Dunbar spent two summers playing in the collegiate wood bat leagues. He played for the Clarinda A's of the MINK League between his sophomore and junior campaign in the summer of 2000. In the summer of 2001, he played for the Quincy Gems of the Central Illinois Collegiate League (CICL).
Dunbar entered the coaching ranks with the Clarksville Orioles summer baseball organization in 2002. He served as the head coach for the 13-year old squad and assisted with the 18-year old Orioles from 2002-05. He served as the assist coach at his alma mater Northwest High School in a 2003 and joined his former high school coach Jason Rice at Rossview High in 2004. He moved into college coaching in 2005 as a volunteer infield and hitting coach at Austin Peay. After one season with the Governors, Dunbar took the assistant position at Jackson State Community College, where he was prior to coming to Memphis. As the top assistant at JSCC, he served as the recruiting coordinator, hitting coach and infield coach. Dunbar also coached for the Vermont Mountaineers of the NECBL in the 2007 and 2008 summers.
The Tigers' Volunteer Assistant/Camps Coordinator position has been a positive stepping stone over the past two seasons as the two former coaches holding that position have both secured full-time positions. Allen Osborne, who held the post in the 2007 NCAA Tournament season, departed to take the head coaching position at Wingate College in North Carolina. Barton, who has spent the last four years in a Memphis uniform as either a player (2005-06) or coach (2007-08), will join a UL-Monroe program that won the Sun Belt regular season title in 2008.
"I am very happy for Cory (Barton)," said Schoenrock. "This is a good opportunity for him to get out and experience a new staff. It's bittersweet when one of your own guys takes a new position, but it's an honor to have someone with Derrick's experience and qualifications. He has made an impact everywhere he has coached and is very well respected in the State of Tennessee through all circles of recruiting."
