Michigan State University Athletics
Billy Gernon Named Head Coach At Western Michigan
6/22/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
June 22, 2010
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Billy Gernon, who served as an assistant coach under MSU head coach Jake Boss for the past two seasons, was named the head baseball coach at Western Michigan University on Tuesday. Gernon was the head coach at IPFW for nine seasons (1999-2008) prior to joining Boss at MSU and is the winningest coach in Mastadon history. He becomes the eighth head coach all-time of the Bronco baseball program.
"Billy Gernon is an outstanding hire for Western Michigan and will do a great job leading the Bronco baseball program," said Boss. "His enthusiasm is contagious and his attention to detail was extremely valuable to our program. He brings a wealth of knowledge, an aggressive style of play, and an attitude of doing things the right way that will no doubt carry over to the baseball diamond. I couldn't be happier for and more proud of Coach Gernon and his family."
Among his many duties at MSU, Gernon was responsible for recruiting on the national level, and was the hitting instructor and base running coach. He also worked with the outfielders and handled several of the administrative duties including travel and compliance. The Spartans were ranked as high as No. 29 in the country this past season and Gernon's aggressive style helped Michigan State steal 86 bases, which ranked second all-time in school history. In Gernon's first year at MSU, the Spartans qualified for the Big Ten Tournament after a five-year hiatus. That 2009 squad stole 71 bases, which is sixth on the MSU single-season list.
"I am honored and humbled to be named the next head baseball coach at Western Michigan University," Gernon said. "It is my pledge that our coaching staff and players will bring an unprecedented level of energy and work ethic to the Bronco baseball program. Western Michigan University has tremendous potential and our entire program will begin pursuing conference championships immediately. President Dunn, Kathy Beauregard and her staff, have a genuine passion towards Western Michigan and its baseball program and I am very excited about this tremendous opportunity. I look forward to serving this great institution."
"Billy Gernon is an honorable person first and foremost and an outstanding baseball coach who will lead the Broncos to success on and off the field and through community engagement," said MSU Senior Associate Athletics Director Shelley Appelbaum. "Billy's core values come shining through and his commitment to developing young men through education and sport is evident in everything he does on a daily basis. We are grateful for his contributions to our baseball program at Michigan State University and there is no question that from the day he arrives, there will be a positive impact at Western Michigan. It has been said that `good things happen to good people' and this is a special opportunity for Coach Gernon and his family - one that they will make the most of and the Bronco family will be forever changed. This is a proud moment and we wish Billy, his family, staff and team the very best in the years ahead."
To read the complete press release of Gernon's hiring, please click here.
Portions of this release courtesy of Western Michigan Athletic Media Relations.
