Media Credit: Photo by Ron Besser Mike Jeffcoat gives advice to Brian Lee. Pitching coach Jeffcoat was hired as head coach of the UWF baseball team after a long search. [Click to enlarge]

For the first time in nearly a quarter century, the University of West Florida baseball team will begin the season with a new head coach, Mike Jeffcoat, who has big expectations for this year's squad.

Jeffcoat, who spent the past five years as the UWF's pitching coach, is taking over for Jim Spooner who retired after his 23rd season last spring.

During his five years as the pitching coach, Jeffcoat's staff had combined for an impressive 3.75 ERA including one season when the Argos pitching staff posted the top ERA in the NCAA Division II with a 2.70.

"Obviously you can't replace someone like Coach Spooner," Jeffcoat said, "And I don't expect to. But I hope to tweak some things and make some things better and see if we can't get us to the next level."

The next level for the UWF is a berth in the Division II regional tournament and a possible World Series bid. A vision Jeffcoat has already begun to implant in the player heads.

"I am really excited about our potential under Jeffcoat," Senior Jake Ingram said, "It seems like Jeffcoat is really excited about the team and getting this year under way."

New assistant coach and former UWF player Shane Gierke is also enthusiastic about the upcoming season and Coach Jeffcoat.

"They really have two different styles," Gierke said comparing Jeffcoat to Spooner, "Jeffcoat is a 100 miles per hour and I love it. Which will be a big difference and I think it will show. Expectations are great this year. We expect to do big things."

The enthusiasm and expectations already shows in the team preseason as Jeffcoat says, "Come on now this is practice" to one of the player not hustling during a drill.

"I try to demand a lot out of them at practice," Jeffcoat said, "mainly discipline them through the practice and preparation parts so that when we get to the game time I try to lay back and let them play and manage around the player's mistakes."

Yet the demanding practices do not bring down the sprits of the players - instead drive them to want more.

"He has everything down to a tee, what we are supposed to do, when we are supposed to do it and how we are supposed to do it." Pete Antoske last year team leading hitter said.

Left hand pitcher Todd Androsko has had the privilege of having Jeffcoat as his pitching coach as all three years of his UWF career. He understands and believes in Jeffcoat's methods.

"I think it's a pretty solid move." Androsko said about Jeffcoat taking over, "He's an energetic guy and he's really good with the pitching staff. He knows what he is talking about so it should carry over to the rest of the team. I think a lot of guys are going to be motivated to play for him. He keeps you mind and body motivated at practice."

Having already gone to the Gulf South tournament for the past three seasons, although they end in disappointment including a 0-2 showing last year, many of the players feel this fresh change is what they need.

"The biggest thing was we never heard about a post season," said pitcher Josh Sawyer, "Jeffcoat has planted it in our heads that we are going to be there."

When asked how far the team expects to go Antoske said, "The World Series, we have to set our goals high."

Along with a new NCAA rule change expanding the regional tournament, taking six teams from the Gulf South Conference instead of the four from previous seasons, the Argos expect to find themselves making it beyond the GSC tournament for the first time in school history and into a World Series bid.

However, playing a majority of their 56 games at home this season Jeffcoat believes student support will play a major factor in the team's success.

"Our base needs to come from the students." Jeffcoat said, "Our guys work hard and like having supports of the students. What we need is for the students to come out to the ball games, enjoy themselves on the party decks and cheer our players on."

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