Drew Athletic Director Jason Fein announced today the appointment
of Brian Hirschberg, former assistant coach and recruiting
coordinator at Lehigh, as head baseball coach at Drew.
"We’re excited to have Brian as a part of our Ranger athletic program,” said Fein. “Baseball is a storied sport at Drew, dating back the earliest days of our undergraduate college and our first head coach, the legendary Doc Young. I’m confident that Brian has the talent and energy to help his players achieve a level of success that rivals or surpasses the best teams of our past.”
Hirschberg spent the last three seasons at Lehigh as hitting coach. Under his direction, the Mountain Hawks led the Patriot League last year in hitting with a team batting average of .292 and a league-low 256 strikeouts. The past two seasons the Mountain Hawks posted back-to-back 20-win seasons and earned a Patriot League playoff appearance. Prior to Lehigh, Hirschberg spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Penn State-Behrend.
"I am extremely honored to be named the new head coach of the Drew University baseball program,” said Hirschberg. “Athletic Director Jason Fein and his staff have an energetic and positive approach with a clear direction for in the future. I am very appreciative for the opportunity.”
In college, Hirschberg played right field for the Bucknell Bison, where he led the team in several offensive categories, including home runs, triples, and runs batted in. He was an All-Patriot League selection his junior year after leading the team with six home runs and 27 RBIs. The Bison went on to win the Patriot League crown and earn an NCAA Tournament bid in 2003. He returned his senior year and batted .305 with four home runs and 17 RBIs.
The Glen Rock, New Jersey native will make his return to the Garden State where his coaching and playing career began. As a player at Glen Rock, his 1999 team went on to win the Group 1 New Jersey State Championship where he was an All-State catcher. He returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach in 2005 coach before moving on to coach in the college ranks in 2006.
"I believe strongly in the student-athlete experience,” continued Hirschberg. “My goal for this program is to create a positive student-athlete experience by setting high standards and expectations for achievement in the classroom, team involvement within the community, and success on the baseball field.”
Hirschberg will replace longtime head coach, Vince Masco, who is Drew's all-time leader in wins with 387. Masco, who coached the Rangers for the past 27 seasons, will remain in the Athletic Department as an Associate Athletic Director.