David Grewe Named Michigan State's 15th Head Baseball Coach
7/13/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
July 13, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. - David Grewe (pronounced GREW-ee), who spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach at Notre Dame, has been named Michigan State University's 15th head baseball coach. Grewe will be formally introduced by MSU Athletics Director Ron Mason at a press conference scheduled for 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 13 at the Kellogg Center (Meeting Room: Big Ten A).
The 29-year-old Grewe comes to Michigan State following three years at Notre Dame (2003-05) where he served as recruiting coordinator, hitting and catching instructor under Paul Mainieri. During his tenure, the Irish compiled a combined record of 134-54-1 (.712), including three-straight BIG EAST Tournament championships and three-consecutive NCAA Regional appearances.
 David Grewe helped attract two Top 10 recruiting classes to South Bend, Ind., including the 2004 Class (ranked No. 6 by Baseball America) and the 2006 Class (ranked No. 7 by Team One Baseball).  | |
At Notre Dame, Grewe established himself as one of the nation's top recruiters, while also producing success stories at the catcher position and serving as the architect of a potent offensive attack. He helped attract two Top 10 recruiting classes to South Bend, Ind., including the 2004 Class (ranked No. 6 by Baseball America) and the 2006 Class (ranked No. 7 by Team One Baseball). In addition, the 2005 Class yielded BIG EAST Rookie of the Year Brett Lilley, who led the team in hitting with his .355 average.
"This position attracted many legitimate candidates and that national interest really didn't surprise me because of the history of Spartan baseball," Mason said. "It was MSU's first varsity sport and in the past, it has played at the championship level. I believe that baseball once again can emerge as a solid program, and the interest coaches showed in this opening only confirmed my belief.
"When discussing the position with baseball people, David Grewe's name consistently surfaced as a top candidate. After interviewing David, I became convinced that he's the right guy to rebuild this program.
"David comes from a Notre Dame baseball program that has truly established itself as a Northern power. He played a significant role in helping Notre Dame baseball gain national prominence by winning three-straight BIG EAST Tournament championships and making three-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. David has a plan for MSU's baseball program to experience similar opportunities."
"I'm fortunate to be part of an athletics department that has the full support of the university administration," Grewe said. "I'm confident that Michigan State can become not only one of the top baseball programs in the Big Ten, but in the entire Midwest. It's a great opportunity to take over the program at a time when the facilities are being upgraded. I believe that I'm the right guy to lead this program and establish a consistent winner. I want to establish a level of success, and then sustain it, because I firmly believe that success breeds success. I'm confident that the MSU baseball program will accomplish great things over the next several years.
"With the support of the university administration, Athletics Director Ron Mason and great baseball alums, like Kirk Gibson and Mark Mulder, those goals can become a reality. It's an honor to be representing this great university as its head baseball coach.
"I want my players to compete every time they step on to the baseball diamond and strive to reach their full potential. They will take great energy and enthusiasm to the ball field every day. I will establish a winning philosophy and a winning attitude.
"My charge is to help student-athletes prepare for life after baseball. That's what the college experience is all about, helping student-athletes learn how to succeed both on and off the field. It's my responsibility to help teach young men the life skills necessary to be successful. I want to have a positive impact and help develop character, so the student-athletes can go on to bigger and better things after graduation. I want them to look back on their college experience and say that those were the four most enjoyable years of their lives. They will learn how to work hard, have fun and accomplish common goals."
In 2005, the Irish rebounded from a 14-14 start to finish 38-24-1, going 24-10-1 during the second half of the season. Outfielder Craig Cooper won his second-straight BIG EAST batting title with a .403 average.
In 2004, Notre Dame won a school-record 51 games (51-12 overall) en route to the BIG EAST regular-season (20-6) and tournament titles. The Irish put together two double-digit winning streaks in 2004 (11 and 12 games, respectively). Notre Dame led the BIG EAST and ranked No. 25 in the NCAA in scoring, averaging 7.8 runs per game. The team also led the league in home runs (69) while finishing third in batting average (.309). In BIG EAST play, the Irish lineup produced the triple-crown winners: Cooper in batting average (.370), third baseman Matt Macri in home runs (7) and designated hitter Matt Bransfield in runs batted in (33).
In 2003, the Irish produced a 45-18 worksheet the featured a 17-game winning streak.
While on the Notre Dame coaching staff, Grewe also supervised the transformation of Javi Sanchez, from starting shortstop (2002) to all-star catcher. Sanchez emerged as a polished catcher and clutch hitter in 2004, earning BIG EAST Tournament MVP honors and a spot on the NCAA Fullerton Regional all-tournament team. His steady development prompted the Minnesota Twins to select Sanchez in the 14th round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft.
Grewe previously spent two years as an assistant coach at Central Michigan (2001-02), where he coached the infielders and catchers and served as hitting instructor under Judd Folske. In addition to his day-to-day duties, he managed CMU's winter baseball camps and clinics. Grewe coached five CMU players who went on to professional baseball.
In 2001, the Chippewas set single-season records for runs scored (470) and RBI (422). The 626 hits (second), 988 total bases (second) and 69 home runs (third) all ranked among the top single-season totals in CMU history. His infielders also helped turn a school-record 62 double plays.
During his stint at Central Michigan, Grewe also worked for the American Baseball Coaches Association, first as an intern and then as an administrative assistant under executive director Dave Keilitz.
He spent two seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Chicago (1999-2000) under Brian Baldea, serving as hitting instructor, infield coach and recruiting coordinator. In 2000, the Maroons ranked No. 19 in NCAA Division III in batting average (.347) while averaging 8.47 runs per game. In addition, Chicago established six single-season records: batting average, hits (353), slugging percentage (.503), RBI, total bases and walks.
At the age of 21 and still in college, Grewe was an assistant baseball coach with the Motor City Pride summer team that posted a 29-7 record in 1996 and had 94 percent of its players advance to play at the collegiate level. He also has gained experience as an instructor at 22 different baseball camps throughout the country and as a personal hitting instructor for various youth levels.
Grewe earned three letters at Dayton (1996-98) while starting games at catcher, first base and third base. He started at third base for the 1996 team that set the Dayton record for wins, including an upset victory over eventual national champion LSU. In 1998, Grewe batted .324 while ranking among the team leaders in five of 11 offensive categories, helping the Flyers record the baseball program's first winning season since 1979.
He began his collegiate career at John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio.
The Royal Oak, Mich., native graduated from Dayton in 1998 as a sports management major, with a double minor in marketing and public relations. While coaching at Central Michigan, he served as a graduate teaching assistant while studying towards a master's degree in athletic administration.
What They're Saying About David Grewe . . .
Notre Dame head coach Paul Mainieri:
"David Grewe has many great assets, but the first thing that I'll tell you about David is that he's extremely well organized. He has a plan for everything that he does, from ordering equipment to determining his recruiting priorities. David pays close attention to every detail.
"In addition, he has great personal skills. David is extremely articulate, and he knows how to build relationships. I first came across David when he was working a baseball camp. He was only 22 or 23 years old at the time, but he had a different aura about him. I was struck by his maturity. A few years later, I couldn't pass up the chance to hire him. David became a valuable member of my coaching staff, organizing our recruiting efforts.
"He has a great feel for situations. David knows how each and every player thinks because nobody responds to a situation the same way. He has the instincts to push all the right buttons. David's certainly a shining light in the coaching profession. I'm tempted to describe David as a diamond in the rough, but he doesn't have any rough edges.
"There's no question that David is going to make his mark in baseball as a head coach. He possesses all the skills and talents needed to be successful. He brings a lot of energy to the job, and he doesn't believe in taking any shortcuts. David will produce a winning program, and his teams will win the right way.
"David entered this profession for all the right reasons, wanting to have a positive impact on young lives. With his passion and work habits, David will breathe fresh air into the Michigan State baseball program. He's going to go out and recruit great talent, and those players are going to respond to his leadership."
American Baseball Coaches Association Executive Director Dave Keilitz:
"David Grewe is a great, great hire for MSU. David is truly one of the young, rising superstars in coaching. There's no doubt in my mind that he'll come in and do a tremendous job in leading the Spartan baseball program. David is a tremendous recruiter that also knows the game. He's mature beyond his years, and he'll be an outstanding representative for the entire university community."
Former Spartan All-American Kirk Gibson (Detroit Tigers, bench coach):
"I'm excited about the hiring of David Grewe. He's an energetic, young coach. With upgrading the facilities at Old College Field - and Kobs Field in particular - and the hiring of a new head coach, it marks a new beginning for Spartan baseball. I'd like to see the Spartan baseball program become a consistent winner, finishing in the upper echelon of the Big Ten."
Former Spartan All-American Mark Mulder (St. Louis Cardinals, pitcher):
"When the Michigan State baseball job opened, Oakland A's scout Rich Sparks called and told me that he knew a guy that would be a perfect fit for the position. Of course, Rich identified and endorsed the candidacy of David Grewe. I've heard a lot of good stuff about David, and I'm confident that he'll get the Spartan baseball program headed in the right direction. David strikes me as a coach who's going to roll up his sleeves and get after it, and that's exactly what MSU needs."
