JACKSON, Tenn. - Union University Director of Athletics, Tommy Sadler, has named Casey McGehee as the next head coach of the Union baseball program. McGehee will enter his first season as a head coach after a lengthy playing career in both Major League Baseball and in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

Sadler said, "We are excited to name Casey McGehee as our new head baseball coach. Casey has played at the highest level of baseball and has outstanding knowledge of the game. He also understands the important impact a coach has on young men at this time in their lives. We believe he will provide great leadership to our program and help our baseball student-athletes compete in the GSC and help them prepare for life after college.

McGehee said, "I am incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to use all of the experience that I have gained, both in baseball and in life, to help mold the young men in Union University's baseball program. I am excited to begin this chapter of Bulldog baseball." 

McGehee's professional playing career started in 2003 as a tenth-round draft pick of the Chicago Cubs. He played locally in Jackson for the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, a Double-A affiliate of the Cubs. He was then called up and played nine games with the Cubs in 2008. After being traded to the Milwaukee Brewers, McGehee finished fifth in the voting for the 2009 National League Rookie of the Year and was named the NL Rookie of the Month once. In 2010, McGehee was named the Milwaukee Brewers Team MVP and earned the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association's Heart and Hustle Award. He played with the Brewers from 2009-2011. In 2012, he played for both the Pittsburg Pirates and New York Yankees. 

He left MLB for one season and played in the NPB in Japan in 2013, leading his team to the NPB Championship. He returned to MLB in 2014 with Miami Marlins. He was named the National League Comeback Player of the Year and was also a finalist in the fan vote for the final spot in the MLB All-Star Game that season. He played for the Marlins, San Francisco Giants, and Detroit Tigers over the 2015 and 2016 seasons. He finished his playing career back in the NPB where he set the league record for doubles in 2017 and was named a NPB All-Star in 2018. 

McGehee finished an eight-year major league career with a .258 average, 67 home runs, 380 RBI, 141 doubles, 721 hits, and 285 runs. He recorded season-highs with a .301 average in 2009, and 23 home runs and 104 RBI in 2010, both seasons with the Brewers. His comeback season in 2014 included a .287 average with 76 RBI and 29 doubles with the Marlins.

McGehee played college baseball at Fresno State University where he was a freshman All-American. He was named first team All-WAC in 2002 and second team All-WAC in 2003. He also earned a spot on the Fresno State Baseball Wall of Fame. He went to Soquel High School where he lettered four seasons on the baseball team. 

McGehee and his wife Sarah have called Jackson, Tennessee home since their wedding in 2005. They have two children, a son Mack and a daughter Cooper. 

-UNION-