By Shawn Yonker
staff writer, delmarvanow.com
SALISBURY — However this season ends for the Salisbury University baseball team (28-7, 11-5 CAC), it will be Doug Fleetwood’s last one at the helm.
Salisbury University Director of Athletics Michael Vienna announced Friday that the school will begin a national search for the position of head baseball coach as Fleetwood will relinquish his duties with the baseball program following the 2014 season, to focus solely on football.
“I have been fortunate to find a home as a coach that has allowed me to be a part of two outstanding programs and, while it is difficult to end my time as the head baseball coach, I feel it will only benefit the program to have a coach who is afforded the opportunity to be fully invested in the team and its student-athletes,” Fleetwood said. “I’m excited to continue my work with the players, coaches and fans of Sea Gull athletics with the football team as we continue to grow.”
Fleetwood is completing his 14th year as a member of the Salisbury coaching staff, serving as the associate head coach-offense and recruiting coordinator for football and head coach for baseball.
In his 14 years on staff with the baseball team, the program has compiled a 467-145-6 record. His .761 winning percentage in that time is second among active Division III coaches and ranks sixth all-time. The Sea Gulls have made all three of their World Series appearances under Fleetwood’s watch and have won 10 CAC championships while competing in the NCAA tournament in every one of Fleetwood’s years at the helm of the program.
Prior to becoming head coach, Fleetwood served as the team’s hitting coach for two seasons.
The 1972 graduate of Salisbury has coached both sports since his time at Cambridge-South Dorchester High School, where he won the 1978 state title and advanced to 11 state regional playoffs as he compiled a 171-63-1 record. As a respected baseball teacher and evaluator of talent, he also worked as a scout for the Baltimore Orioles for several years.
But he is also a member of the Maryland High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame (class of 2003), and won three state championships as the Vikings’ head coach. The gridiron is where his focus will now be year-round.
“Salisbury University has been incredibly fortunate to have had coach Fleetwood as a part of its staff helping two programs which have been among the best in the nation, and we are excited to give him the opportunity to help out the football program full time,” Vienna said. “This is a key personnel move that will help Salisbury continue to align itself with the other top baseball programs in the nation, with a coach dedicated to that program.”
The nationwide search for this position will begin immediately.
The Sea Gulls have made similar coaching moves in the recent past to improve the athletic program.
In 2012, the university announced that Jim Nestor would give up women’s soccer after 12 seasons to focus all his attention on the women’s lacrosse program, which has gone 236-25 under his watch. Kwame Lloyd finished his first season at the helm of the women’s soccer program in 2013, going 10-6-4.
Also in 2012, Margie Knight gave up the volleyball program after 16 years to focus on softball, where she has a record of 669-143-2. Justin Turco replaced Knight on the court and finished 29-6.
reprinted by permission