Douglas Kimbler has been chosen as Head Coach of the New York University baseball team, which is returning on the varsity level beginning in 2014-15. NYU’s varsity baseball program was discontinued following the 1974 season and re-emerged as a club sport in the 1980’s.

Kimbler, who is currently serving as Head Coach at NYU-Poly in its final season, brings a wealth of collegiate and professional baseball experience to NYU.

In addition to his years at NYU-Poly, Kimbler also served as Head Coach at Hartwick College (2004-06) and assistant Head Coach at Castleton State College (2007-08).

“Doug Kimbler has a wealth of experience as a coach and player, both on the collegiate and professional levels,” said Christopher Bledsoe, NYU’s Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Director of Athletics. “He was the best choice from a very strong candidate pool to lead our varsity baseball program.”

After playing for the College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY, Kimbler was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 1990 MLB Amateur Draft. He played eight years at the minor league level for both the Tigers and then the Chicago Cubs organizations before returning to Saint Rose and earning his Bachelor of Science degree in special education in 1998.

He was inducted into the College’s Hall of Fame in 2007.

Kimbler’s first collegiate coaching experience was as the Infield and Hitting Coach for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute from 2001-03. While there, he helped lead the Engineers to three Liberty League Championships and three NCAA Tournament bids, including an appearance in the 2002 Division III World Series.

“It is an honor to be chosen as the Head Baseball Coach at NYU,” Kimbler said. “I am extremely excited and appreciative of the opportunity that NYU, the athletic department and Athletic Director Chris Bledsoe has given me to lead the NYU baseball program back onto the diamond.”  

A native of Plattsburgh, NY, Kimbler, resides in both Brooklyn, NY, and with his wife Amy, and children Teige and Willie, in Albany, NY.