Updated September 07 2016
The Fayetteville SwampDogs have announced the hiring of their new head coach for the 2017 season in Matt Hollod. Hollod currently serves as the pitching coach for Riverside City College Tigers in Riverside, Ca.
Prior to Riverside, Hollod served as the Director of Baseball Operations for the California State University at Northridge (CSUN) Matadors for the 2015-16 season. Before his hiring at CSUN, he was the head coach for Wilkes University Colonels, a Division III program located in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Hollod was at the helm of the Colonel program from 2013 to 2015. He turned them into a postseason contender during the 2013 season after the team finished last place in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) a year before. Hollod expanded the Colonels roster from 23 to 35 student-athletes and lowered their team earned run average from 7.39 to 4.79. He also implemented a year-round strength and conditioning program located on the school’s campus.
Before arriving at Wilkes, Hollod built an impressive resume. He served as the associate head baseball coach for the DeSales University Bulldogs in Center Valley, PA. Hollod was the associate head coach at Southern Utah University in 2010 after a stint with Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. He began his coaching career spending six seasons with the University of Portland, where he handled recruiting and established the Pilot program’s fall hitting school.
“We’re proud to announce that Matt will be at the helm in 2017,” said SwampDogs GM Jeremy Aagard. “His pedigree for success in summer college baseball and tenacity to win should make an immediate impact as we continue
our quest for the Petitt Cup Championship.”
This will be Hollod’s first head coaching experience in the Coastal Plain League, but not in collegiate summer baseball. He handled head coaching duties for the Willmar Stingers of the Northwoods League from 2010 to 2013, guiding the Stingers to two playoff appearances, four winning seasons and two nationally ranked teams, including 160 victories.
“I’m extremely excited to be back in summer baseball, where I get to play a part in developing college baseball players on a daily basis,” said Hollod. “SwampDog fans will see a very talented and consistent team on the field competing for a championship. Fayetteville will also see a team that cares about their fans and community.”
Be sure to stay tuned for more new and exciting news about the 2017 summer throughout the offseason including; feature stories, new player acquisitions, organization news and more! Follow the SwampDogs across our social media platforms on Twitter and Instagram (@GoSwampDogs), as well as FaceBook (Fayetteville SwampDogs) while we prepare for another great season in Fayetteville.
The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 20th season in 2016, the CPL features 16 teams playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL has had nearly 1,300 alumni drafted and 91 of those – including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander – make their Major League debut; while another notable alum – Russell Wilson – won Super Bowl XLVIII. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, like us on Facebook at Coastal Plain Leagye and follow us via Twitter and Instagram @CPLBaseball.
Contact:Jackson Kaplan
Phone:910-426-5900