MEDFORD, MA (June 27, 2024) -- Director of Athletics John Morris announced this afternoon that after three years with the Jumbo baseball program, head coach Paul Svagdis has resigned his position to take over as head baseball coach at Division II Westmont University in Santa Barbara, California.
"Although it's sad to see Paul go, it has been so great having Paul back with the Jumbos," said Morris. "We are very grateful for the three seasons Paul spent here and all of the positive contributions he has made to Tufts Athletics and our baseball program."
"It has been a highlight of my career to lead the Jumbos over the last three seasons," said Svagdis. "I have great memories of the players and the many accomplishments they achieved during this brief period. Their leadership and your acceptance of me and my family back into the Jumbo community has been nothing short of amazing."
Hired back on October 14, 2021, Svagdis helped the Jumbos baseball program through an unknown time during the CoVID-19 pandemic. Svagdis helped the Tufts baseball program to an overall record of 80-49, going 24-12 in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC). He led the Jumbos to an NESCAC Tournament title in 2023, as well as a NESCAC Tournament championship game appearance this past spring.
Svagdis was named as the NESCAC Coach of the Year in 2023, and coached 10 All-NESCAC performers as well as the past two NESCAC Defensive Players of the Year. Furthermore, this season Malachi Pena was named as the Rookie of the Year in the conference. The Jumbos had eight All-Region performers under the direction of Svagdis, and also have had three Region 1 All-Defensive Team performers as well.
A two-year team captain of the Jumbos, Svagdis played first base for the team from 1990-93. He hit .402 in his Jumbo career, and his 17 home runs and 113 runs batted in are also on the program's all-time top 10 lists.
A national search for a new head baseball coach will get underway immediately.