| Jim Shelton steps down with a
career mark of 233-222, including 11-27 this past
season. Southwestern athletics photo |
Jim Shelton has been a fixture in the coach's box for the Southwestern baseball team, but after 19 years in the program has stepped down as the head coach. Shelton spent 11 seasons at the helm and was the assistant coach under Jim Mallon for eight years prior to being named head coach.
"After 25 years of coaching college baseball, 19 of them at Southwestern, I am ready to move to a new challenge in life," said Shelton. "My education and baseball have given me everything that I have, including many meaningful relationships with former players, students and coaches. I thank those individuals and look forward to following their lives in the future."
"Southwestern Athletics greatly appreciates all that Coach Shelton has contributed to the university throughout his tenure with us and wish him much success in his future endeavors," said athletic director Glada Munt.
During his tenure, Shelton has guided the Pirates to one NCAA Tournament appearance, one Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference championship and two SCAC runners-up. Three of his players have advanced to play professional baseball since his arrival in Georgetown with numerous others being named to the All-America, CoSIDA Academic All-America, CoSIDA Academic All-District, ABCA All-Region and All-SCAC teams.
Shelton has amassed the second most wins of any head baseball coach at Southwestern, 233, with a 106-105 SCAC mark, and ends his time with a .512 win percentage overall.
Shelton leaves behind a strong, young group of players that defeated the highly ranked Trinity (Texas) twice towards the end of the season. A national search for a new head coach will be launched immediately.