West will enter his second year as a head coach in the Coastal Plain League. West worked for Fans First Entertainment in 2015 as the head coach of the Martinsville Mustangs.
“We are tremendously fortunate and excited to have Sean West as the first coach in Savannah Bananas franchise history,” said Owner Jesse Cole. “We were able to find him late in the process last year with our franchise in Martinsville, VA and he made an immediate impact on our players and the community.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to become the first head coach in the inaugural season for the Savannah Bananas. The coaching staff we have put together is special. We have a group of hard working, talented coaches who are very passionate about teaching the game of baseball, and developing leaders. The fans and community are in for a treat this summer, I promise!” said West.
West has a diverse baseball background. He began his career as a player at Palm Beach Atlantic University. During the 2005 season he was named the NCCAA Player of the Year in the South Region, and was also a NCCAA first team All-American.
After his playing career, West decided to enter into coaching. “It is my belief that these individuals were placed in my life to help mold, shape, and guide me to become a better person and the leader I was called to be. This is my inspiration for getting involved in coaching and investing in the lives of young men.”
His first entrance into the coaching profession was at San Diego Christian College, becoming the interim head coach for a short period. Next, he would head to Denison College to become an assistant coach. At Denison he had a variety of duties including assistant recruiting coordinator, and head of baseball operations.
Cole went on to add, “Sean is first class all the way and is a very talented recruiter. He will bring some of the top talent in the country to Grayson Stadium this year and there is no one better to lead the franchise in the first season.”
From 2010-2013 West was also the General Manager of the Licking County Settlers, a summer collegiate team in Newark, Ohio. In the summer of 2013 he served as an assistant coach with the Cotuit Kettleers in the Cape Cod League. With his help the Kettleers went on to win the 2013 Cape Cod League Championship.
He cites that Championship as the best moment of his coaching career. “Very few people have the opportunity to win a championship in their lifetime, and to do it at the highest level of summer collegiate ball was very special,” West said. “Looking onto the field while my players celebrated their hard work at the game’s end and watching them start to dog pile is my favorite moment thus far.”
Coach Mike Roberts, Chicago Cubs Instructor & Head Coach Cotuit Kettlers, Cape Cod League: “Coach West is an outstanding selection to be the first head coach of the Savannah Bananas. Sean is an exceptional person off the field; mature young teacher/leaver on the field; and has rapidly accumulated a great deal of experience as a GM, Head Coach, and Assistant Coach in summer college baseball. Coach West’s outstanding work habits and detailed reports on opponents, when he was my assistant coach, were a huge key to our team winning the 2013 Cape Cod League Title. Congratulations to Coach West. Good luck during the 2016 season.”
West is excited to join the Savannah community. “Not only do I get to return home to Georgia for the summer, but I get to spend it with my beautiful wife Kristen, who is expecting September 1st, in one of our nation’s most beautiful, historic cities.”
Story courtesy: Savannah Bananas Baseball Front Office
No comments:
Post a Comment