By Sports editor Brian Hoffman
Roanoke College baseball coach Matt McGuire has resigned from his position with the Maroons and will be replaced by assistant Cam Cassady.
McGuire, a William Byrd graduate who is still the Terriers’ all-time hits leader, helped to guide the program to 168 wins, 78 in conference play, in just over eight seasons in Salem. He led the Maroons to the NCAA Division III College World Series in 2017.
“It has been an honor to lead the baseball program at Roanoke College for the last eight and a half years,” said McGuire. “I want to thank all the current and former players for everything they’ve done for me and my family, the program, the college, and the Salem community. I am super proud of the baseball program we’ve been able to build together and we’ve done it the right way; on and off the field, especially in the classroom.”
McGuire took over the reins of the RC baseball program in 2012. That first season would see the Maroons set a then record with 18 wins. In just five short years, Coach McGuire led Roanoke College to their first Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Baseball Championship, earning a berth into the 2017 NCAA DIII Tournament.
In the regional tournament, RC defeated Salisbury to win the NCAA South Region and punch their ticket to the 2017 NCAA DIII College World Series. In the championship round, Roanoke won two games to qualify for the final four. For his efforts, McGuire was named ABCA South Region Coach of the Year as well as VaSID State Coach of the Year as his squad finished third in the final National Rankings. One year later, the Maroons were back in the ODAC championship game in a season that would see a record setting 15 game win streak as well as a national ranking as high as number four in NCAA DIII.
“I also have to thank Scott Allison for giving me a chance to be a head coach at the collegiate level and entrusting me with the baseball program,” said McGuire. “I’ve always been big on who I work with and who I work for and you can’t ask for a better boss. While this was an extremely tough decision, it was the best one for my family and I look forward to the next chapter in our lives. I look forward to following Roanoke baseball and wish the program nothing but success moving forward.”
“Matt did a phenomenal job as our baseball coach,” said Allison. “Simply put, his on the field leadership brought our program to national recognition. When one looks deeper, though, Matt made sure his student-athletes did things the right way. They were always among our top teams in the classroom. And they took pride in treating everyone associated with the game of baseball – opponents, umpires, etc. – with the utmost respect.”
Allison has named assistant coach Cam Cassady, a 2014 RC graduate who played under McGuire, to the top spot as the interim head coach. Cassady had returned to his alma mater in the fall of 2019 to coach with McGuire after a five-year stint as a teacher and assistant baseball coach at Benedictine College Preparatory. While at the Richmond, VA school Cassady helped the Cadets to an 87-21 mark, including a pair of VISAA Division I State Championships.
“It’s been a privilege to play, coach, and learn under Coach McGuire,” said Cassady. “I’m excited and ready to use that knowledge to build on the program’s success while continuing to move the Roanoke College baseball program forward as the head coach. I look forward to not only developing exceptional athletes on the field, but avid young learners in the classroom and in the community.”
Cassady transferred to RC as a student from the University of Alabama in 2012, playing in 65 games while garnering 75 hits, 31 RBI, and a .307 career batting average. Cassady was a part of a record setting 18-win season that would see the Maroons win double-digit ODAC games for the first time in program history.
“Not that leaving is easy, but it gives me comfort in knowing Cam is taking over,” said McGuire. “ He’s a Roanoke alum and is invested in the school and program. He was a big part of building the foundation as a player and he’ll now get to opportunity to lead the program to new heights. The guys that were around him last year know his energy and passion for the game and their development. He’s as knowledgeable as any baseball person I know or ever been around, period. I’m excited for him and excited to watch what he can do with the program.”
“Cam’s ready,” added Allison. “He played an extremely important role in our recruiting success this year. His contacts on the club, high school and prep school level are deep. Cam was always a cerebral player, so we know we’re getting a good baseball mind. Finally, as an alum, he knows firsthand the quality of education that Roanoke College provides.”
McGuire has taken a position with BSN Sports in Salem, a company that provides uniforms, equipment and apparel. He’ll be working in sales.
