Michael McCormick is in his fourth season with the Ave Maria University baseball program, and his third as head coach. He served as the program's interim head coach in 2021 before earning the full-time job the following summer. Prior to becoming the head coach, he served as the pitching coach during the shortened covid season.
The 2023 season was a historic one for the Ave Maria baseball program. The Gyrenes finished second in the nation's best baseball conference, and earned the program's first postseason win in a decade. The Gyrenes earned an at-large berth into the NAIA Tournament for the first time in ten years, and earned two victories in the Hattiesburg Regional to advance to the first Opening Round final in program history. The Gyrenes shattered numerous offensive records during the 2023 season, and saw five players named All-Sun Conference.
In his first full season in 2022, the program took a big step forward by achieving a winning record for the first time in almost 10 seasons. In addition, the program broke several team and individual records throughout the course of the season. Single season records that were broken as a team included runs scored (391), triples (14), home runs (50), RBIs (333), stolen bases (164), slugging percentage (.456), on base percentage (.382), total bases (776), saves (13), and strikeouts pitched (387).
Prior to his arrival at Ave Maria, McCormick was a pitching trainer at the Driveline facility in the state of Washington. While at Driveline, he worked with high school, collegiate, and professional pitchers. During his time there, McCormick was able to learn under the likes of Matt Daniels, Sam Briend, Rob Hill, Eric Jagers, Casey Jacobson, Dan Moskos, and more.
Before becoming a coach, McCormick had a successful playing career. A native of Speedway, Indiana, he pitched at Speedway High School where as a senior he was recognized as First Team All-State and selected to represent the Sparkplugs in the IHSBCA All-Star game. McCormick began his collegiate playing career at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. After playing at Navy as a freshman, McCormick transferred to Parkland Junior College in Champaign, Illinois. Upon graduating from Parkland Junior College, McCormick went on to pitch at NCAA Division I Eastern Illinois University for two years. The summer leading into his senior season at Eastern Illinois, McCormick pitched in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League. McCormick played for the Chatham Anglers who were then managed by Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Famer John “Schiff” Schiffner.
After graduating with a degree in Organizational and Professional Development from Eastern Illinois University, McCormick would go on to get drafted in the 34th round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Chicago White Sox. He spent two years in the White Sox organization where he was selected as an All-Star during the 2018 season. After the White Sox, McCormick concluded his career with the independent Gary SouthShore RailCats of the American Association.
McCormick is currently enrolled in Ave Maria University’s MBA program.
In addition to his duties at Ave Maria, McCormick served as pitching coach for the St. Cloud Rox of the Northwoods League, one of the nation's best summer collegiate baseball leagues, during the summer of 2023.
McCormick resides in Ave Maria with his wife Teigan, who is on the AMU volleyball staff. Together they have a daughter, Kolby Rae, and two sons, Stetson Cash and Augie Jack. They are parishioners at Corpus Christi FSSP in Naples, where they attend the Traditional Latin Mass.
