Director of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation Nan Carney-DeBord has announced the hiring of Mike Deegan as Denison's head baseball coach and professor of physical education.  Deegan comes to Denison after serving as the Associate Head Coach at Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio.

In nine seasons on the Marietta coaching staff, Deegan helped guide the Pioneers to three NCAA Division III national championships (2006, 2011, 2012), six NCAA regional berths, and four Division III championship appearances.

"I am extremely excited to be the next head baseball coach at Denison University," stated Deegan. "Our mission is to develop a culture of excellence. Our athletes will strive to excel socially, academically, and on the baseball diamond. I, and my wife Lowrie and children Joey and Elizabeth, are proud to be joining the Denison University family."

This season the Pioneers captured the program's sixth national championship in school history after posting a 48-8 record.   This season's national championship campaign came after a record-setting 2011 season which saw Marietta go 47-4, and once again, win the national championship.  

In nine seasons with Deegan on staff, Marietta has won 30 or more games eight times, and they have posted an overall record of 326-111 (.745).

Deegan served as the recruiting coordinator at Marietta and was the team's hitting instructor.  In 2012 the Pioneers hit .331 as a team with a .414 on-base percentage. Marietta outscored its opponents 419-152 last season.

In addition to his responsibilities with the baseball program, he served as a special assistant to the athletics director and was the Marietta Student-Athlete Advisory Committee advisor.

"Mike's nine-years as a member of the Marietta coaching staff speak for themselves," noted Carney-DeBord.  "Myself and the selection committee are confident that the experience he has gained as the associate head coach will be a tremendous asset to the Denison baseball program.  We welcome Mike and his family to the Denison community with open arms and look forward to seeing his team take the field this spring."

Deegan spent 2007 serving as the head coach of the Southern Ohio Copperheads of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League.  That season Deegan led the Copperheads to the most wins in franchise history (25), and the best postseason finish in franchise history.  He was named the GLSCL Manager of the Year at the conclusion of the season.

A 2001 graduate of Marietta, Deegan was a two-time All-Ohio Athletic Conference first-team selection in 1999 and 2001.  He was a major contributor on four OAC Championship teams, two NCAA Mideast Regional championships and two NCAA Division III Championship appearances.  In his senior season, he started all 58 games, hit .393 with 46 RBI, seven home runs and a team-high 17 doubles.  That season the Pioneers advanced to the national championship game.

Prior to his graduation he was awarded the Way-Weigelt Award which goes to the top senior male student-athlete at Marietta.  The award is based on scholarship, leadership, character and sportsmanship.  Deegan received his bachelor's in management, and in 2006 he earned his master's degree in education from Marietta.

What they're saying about Mike Deegan...

"As sorry as we are to see Coach Deegan leave Marietta, we are equally as proud. Coach Deegan has been an essential part of our success over the last nine years and we feel confident his successes will continue at Denison. Mike is one of the best young coaches in the country and the Big Red are fortunate to have him leading their program." - - - Marietta Head Baseball Coach, Brian Brewer

"I think a lot of Mike Deegan as a person, mentor, teacher and coach. He is a person of character and represents values that supersede winning baseball games. He has made a tremendous impact helping Coach Brewer maintain a championship culture at Marietta over the last few years. We who know him are appreciative of Denison for giving him this wonderful opportunity to coach and teach baseball at a tremendous academic academic university." - - - Vanderbilt Head Baseball Coach, Tim Corbin