The University of Akron Names Tim Donnelly Interim Head Baseball Coach

Tim Donnelly/Interim Head Baseball Coach | The University of Akron

By Press release submission

Jan 11, 2023

The University of Akron Department of Athletics has named Tim Donnelly as Interim Head Baseball Coach, Director of Athletics Charles Guthrie announced Tuesday.

"It made sense to appoint an internal staff member at this juncture, and we are very fortunate to have a high-quality coach on the staff with Coach Donnelly," Guthrie said. "With the transition challenges that our baseball student-athletes have endured during the last year, we wanted to ensure some continuity in the leadership of the baseball program. In Coach Donnelly, we have someone who has good rapport and relationships with the current student-athletes, recruits and staff. I believe this is a great opportunity for him and his family and we anticipate he'll do a fantastic job."

Donnelly joined the Akron baseball program as an assistant coach in August 2022.

"First and foremost, I would like to thank AD Charles Guthrie and Deputy AD Markus Jennings for the opportunity," Donnelly said. "I am excited to lead this group of young men and continue the momentum we generated in the Fall. I can't wait for the team to get back to campus and I am looking forward to a great year."

Donnelly has nearly 20 years of experience as a collegiate coach and spent last season as hitting coach at Western Kentucky. Prior to his stint with the Hilltoppers, Donnelly spent three years as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator for Southeastern Louisiana University (2019-2021) and two seasons at Middle Tennessee State as recruiting coordinator and hitting coach (2016-2018).

Donnelly spent the majority of his coaching career at Marshall, serving as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for 10 years. During that span, he was named the Conference USA Assistant Coach of the Year in 2016, his final season with the Thundering Herd. Donnelly had the nation's No. 34-ranked signing class in 2011 and followed with the No. 50-ranked class in 2012.

During his time at Marshall, 25 players were either drafted or signed as free agents with an MLB team, including the highest pick in school history (Aaron Blair - 36th overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks). Blair, Emmanuel Burris (33rd overall by the San Francisco Giants, 2006), Dan Straily and Kevin Shackelford are all Donnelly products who have reached the Major League level.

Donnelly started his coaching career in 2005 at Malone University in Canton, Ohio. A year later, he joined the coaching staff at Kent State University as an assistant and helped guide the Golden Flashes to a 2006 conference title.

In addition, Donnelly's father, Rich Donnelly, was an MLB coach for more than 30 years, including stints with the Seattle Mariners (2014-15), Rangers (1980, 83-85), Pittsburgh Pirates (1986-1996), Florida Marlins (1997-1998), Colorado Rockies (1999-2002), Milwaukee Brewers (2003-2005), and the Los Angeles Dodgers (2006-2007).