PASADENA, Calif. – The Caltech athletics department has named Matthew Mark as its new head baseball coach. He will begin serving in his role at the end of August.

Since the program's inception in 1909 he is the ninth person to lead the Beavers program. He takes the reigns of the squad from John D'Auria who retired at the end of June after 24 years at the helm.

"I am very honored and excited to be named the next head baseball coach at Caltech.  After visiting campus, it was obvious to see the excitement and passion Caltech had for its athletics and baseball program," Mark said. "My goal is to lead and create an environment which all players involved can be successful as young men in the classroom, in the community and on the baseball field.  I would like to thank athletics director Betsy Mitchell and the search committee for this exciting opportunity and I look forward to the upcoming 2013 season."

Mark previously served as the pitching coach for Allegheny since August 2009. He made an immediate impact on the Gator hurlers. In his first season, he helped lower the staff's collective ERA from 5.49 in 2009 to 4.07 in 2010. That was the lowest team ERA at Allegheny since the 2000 season.

Under the guidance of Mark, the Gators produced back-to-back North Coast Athletic Conference pitchers of the year in 2010 and 2011.

"Matthew is a committed educator, excellent coach, strong role model and will contribute greatly to the vision of our athletic program," athletic director Betsy Mitchell said. "Coach Mark is eager to help us improve this program and I am confident that he will bring new ideas and expectations to the program."

Prior to Allegheny, Mark spent a year as the assistant varsity football and baseball coach at Indian Creek School in Wintersville, Ohio, where he also served as the behavioral teacher.

Mark is also active in the summer months assisting with several Division I baseball camps including the camps at Kentucky, Virginia, and the Naval Academy Leadership Camp.

A 2006 graduate of Washington & Jefferson with a bachelor of arts degree in business administration, he was a member of the baseball team for three years, and served a team captain for two seasons. Mark helped lead the Presidents to Presidents' Athletic Conference Championship in 2004 and 2006.

After graduation, he spent the 2007 season as the assistant baseball coach at W&J. While coaching the Presidents, Mark was involved in day-to-day situational analysis, field operation, and recruiting as the squad won the conference championship.