ARLINGTON, Va. -- Marymount University Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics & Recreation Jill McCabe has announced the departure of Head Baseball Coach Frank Leoni from MU. Assistant Coach Mike Cassidy has been named the Interim Head Coach for the 2021-2022 season.
Leoni bids farewell to MU after building the program from the ground up over the past eight seasons. He is set to head north and take over the reins of NCAA Division I institution Mount St. Mary's University.
The Saints got started under Leoni's tutelage in 2014 and has seen rapid growth both on the regional and national stage. This past season saw Marymount get rewarded with a trip to the NCAA Division III Regionals after it secured the first Atlantic East Conference title in program history. Leoni has positioned the Saints well for the future with an established track record of success with multiple All-Region and All-Conference honorees in the program's short history.
"I am extremely proud of the Marymount Baseball program and what we've built," said Leoni. "I'll always be in debt to the administrators, coaches, fans, supporters, and mostly, the players. Thank you all for allowing me to be your leader for these past eight years. I'm excited to see what the future holds with Coach Cassidy at the helm"
Cassidy has been an integral part of Marymount's growth since the program's inception. As the team's hitting and outfielders coach, Cassidy has been integral in MU's tremendous offensive output over the years. Under Cassidy's tutelage, Marymount produced batters that won a VaSID Player of the Year award, three ABCA/Rawlings All-Region honors, and an Atlantic East Conference Player of the Year award.
"It is bittersweet, we are very happy for Frank and wish him nothing but success with Mount St. Mary's baseball program," said McCabe. "It is a tremendous opportunity for him. We are very fortunate to have a high-caliber coaching staff and happy to announce Coach Cassidy, who has been on staff since the baseball program's inception, has been selected to lead the Marymount baseball program as the interim head coach."
For Cassidy, the opportunity represents a chance to carry on the legacy of success and culture that Leoni established during his time at the helm.
"Words cannot describe how humbled and grateful I am for this opportunity," said Cassidy. "This day is not about me though; it is about all the people who have made this happen. This day is about my wife Ashley and her unconditional support in anything I pursue. It's about my family, my friends, and the former players who built this program into what it is today."
Cassidy added, "I want to say thank you to coach Leoni for the experience over the last eight years. Thank you to the current athletic and academic administration for this amazing opportunity. I can't wait to continue to lead the great group of student-athletes we have at MU."