The Eastern Nazarene College Department of Athletics announced today that B.J. Hampton has been named the new head coach for the ENC baseball program. Former head coach, Matt Kutt, is leaving the program and retiring from baseball to return to a career in the business world effective at the end of the 2011 season.

“I am thankful that the administration is entrusting me with the ENC baseball program. We have a great core group of returning players and an exciting incoming class that will make the transition a smooth and successful one,” Hampton commented. “I am losing a great mentor in Coach Kutt but I am thankful for all that he has done to prepare me for the next step in my career.”

Hampton takes over the helm for the Lions after one season as the team’s pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. Prior to his time at ENC, Hampton served as an assistant coach to Jim Peeples at Piedmont College (Demorest, GA), working with pitchers on the varsity squad while serving as the assistant coach to Richard Dombrowski in the JV program.

“I am very excited about this great opportunity at Eastern Nazarene,” Hampton said. “I believe this program has tremendous potential because of the administration’s dedication to improving athletics. The school is located in a prime area of the country which will help greatly with our recruiting process.”

The Lions 2011 injury plagued season resulted in a final record of 8-26. In its first season under Hampton, the Lions pitching staff posted its lowest earned run average in five years at 5.86.

Hampton was a four-year member of the Piedmont College baseball team before joining the staff as a coach. As a player, Hampton helped lead the Lions to the school's first NCAA Division-III postseason in 2008 when the senior- laden squad posted a 34-14 record, the best in school history. As a relief pitcher, Hampton appeared in a Piedmont record 72 games and posted a career ERA of 4.52 in 157.2 innings pitched.