Former Eagle assistant Matt Heath named head coach at College of Charleston

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (July 16, 2015) – Matt Heath’s first coaching opportunity came at Tallahassee Community College in 2005 as an assistant under head baseball coach Mike McLeod.

Ten years later, Heath is an NCAA Division I head coach, having been promoted to the top post at the College of Charleston last month. 

Heath, who is on his second stint at Charleston (2006-08, 2011-present), replaced Monte Lee, who was named head coach at Clemson University. 

The Fernandina Beach, Fla., native coached at Tallahassee in 2005 and 2006, where he worked with the Eagles’ catchers and served as the team’s hitting instructor. Among the players Heath coached at Tallahassee was current Kansas City Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain.

Heath played collegiate ball at the University of Florida from 1999-00 before transferring to Louisiana State University, where he played from 2001-02. At LSU, he was a two-time All-SEC Tournament selection, making the team as a catcher in 2001 and an outfielder a year later. In 2002, he led the Tigers in home runs (10) and runs scored (57). That season, he was also selected to the All-Tournament Team at the Baton Rouge Regional.

After graduating from LSU, he signed a professional contract and played in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ organization for two seasons.

Following Tallahassee’s 2006 season, Heath earned his first call to Charleston and worked primarily with the Cougars’ hitters, who included a pair of his Tallahassee pupils – Brandon Sizemore and Jeremie Tice.

After two years at Charleston, Heath accepted an assistant’s position at Auburn University, where he coached until returning to the Cougars’ staff in 2011, this time as the pitching coach.

At 36, Heath is one of the nation’s youngest head coaches.