Lynchburg, Va. -- University of Lynchburg Director of Athletics Jon Waters announced changes to the Lynchburg baseball team's coaching staff on Monday.
Head coach Lucas Jones will step down from his position, and associate head coach Travis Beazley will become the program's next head coach effective immediately.
"The decision to step down as the head coach here at Lynchburg was not easy but it was made with hope," Jones said. "Unfortunately, these last 17 years of collegiate coaching have worn me down mentally and physically. This felt like the best time to take a step back from my leadership role to focus on my own personal health."
Jones, Beazley, and the Hornets reached college baseball's pinnacle in 2023, winning the NCAA Division III baseball national championship. For his efforts, Jones earned the national coach of the year award from the American Baseball Coaches Association. He hopes to return to the dugout in the future to assist Beazley and fourth-year assistant Oscar Garcia, who has been promoted into a full-time assistant position.
"I am so proud of our players and coaching staff for what we have built these last six years here at Lynchburg," Jones said. "I am confident that this program will continue its commitment to excellence on and off the field."
Beazley steps into the head coaching role after spending six seasons as Lynchburg's associate head coach. A 2006 graduate of Randolph-Macon College and former professional pitcher, he worked primarily with the pitching staff during his time in Lynchburg and helped three Hornet pitchers to All-American seasons. Grayson Thurman, a 2022 All-American closer, is playing professional baseball in the Toronto Blue Jays organization. Jack Bachmore and Zack Potts earned All-American awards in 2023 after Bachmore led the country with 13 saves, and Potts led the country with a 13-0 record. Beazley's pitching staff led DIII with a 3.23 ERA and 491 strikeouts during the national championship season.
Jones spoke highly of his successor saying, "although this was a difficult decision to make, I could not be more excited for the future of Lynchburg Baseball with [Beazley] leading the way. He is an exceptional talent with a skill set that not many coaches in this profession can match. His work ethic is second to none, and he has such a passion for what we have built here at Lynchburg. Most importantly, he has earned this opportunity to lead."
Prior to Lynchburg, Beazley coached at VMI working as an assistant and associate head coach from 2011-2017. Beazley recruited and coached 11 Keydets that went on to be selected in the MLB 1st Year Player Draft. Three of his pitchers at VMI, Reed Garrett, Josh Winder, and Nate Eaton, played in the Major Leagues in 2023.
Beazley was a second-team All-American, the Old Dominion Athletic Conference pitcher of the year, and South Region pitcher of the year as a senior at Randolph-Macon in 2006. He was drafted by the Boston Red Sox out of college and spent four seasons in the Sox's system. He played as high as Double-A before beginning his coaching career, and he led all Boston minor leaguers in wins during the 2007 season, piling up 13 victories. He also struck out 309 batters in his professional career.
"I cannot thank Lucas enough for the last six years," Beazley said. "I am incredibly proud of what we've built together at Lynchburg, and I'm excited to continue building on our success. Lucas is one of the most impactful leaders I've had the pleasure of working with, and I know what I learned from him these past six years will help me as I transition into this new leadership role. I look forward to working with my best friend in the dugout again in the future."
Beazley takes over for Jones after the duo and their staff led the Hornets to new heights during their six seasons together.
Lynchburg is the only ODAC team to win a baseball national championship. The Hornets are 131-39 (.771) since 2020, and the last three years featured unprecedented success. The Hornets broke a nine-year program record for wins in 2021 with 36 victories. The Hornets tied that mark the following season and set the conference record in 2023 with 48 wins.
Lynchburg won ODAC championships in 2021 and 2023, and Jones and Beazley have coached 25 All-ODAC players since 2019 including a player of the year, two pitchers of the year, and three rookies of the year.
"We have been blessed by such a dynamic group of coaches that lead our team and exemplify the level of partnership and trust in each other that is necessary to succeed at the highest levels," Waters said. "Lucas has been incredible, and his willingness to voluntarily press the reset button speaks to his character, courage, and belief in the men that he works with. We look forward to his return to the staff in a new role when the time is right. Travis is exceptional and has led at a high level throughout his time with us. He has more than earned the opportunity to take the baton from Lucas and continue the growth of the program."