Two Coaches resign at UMES
June 27, 2006
PRINCESS ANNE, MD-The University of Maryland Eastern Shore
(UMES) Department of Athletics is losing two members of its
coaching staff for the 2006-2007 Athletic year. Head Coach
Bobby Rodriguez turned in his resignation as the Head Baseball
Coach to Acting Director of Athletics Keith Davidson last week.
Coach Doug Wright informed Davidson of his decision to resign
as Head Men & Women's Tennis Coach earlier in the month.
"We are sad to see two fine coaches leave our ranks," said
Davidson. "We wish both of these gentlemen well in their
future and thank them for their service to UMES."
Rodriguez's resignation comes as somewhat of a surprise as
he is coming off his best season in the maroon and grey and
the best season in Hawk baseball since 1995. In just three
seasons Rodriguez had turned a 5-33 team into a 17 game winner
and runner-up to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)
Championship. His first two seasons were a struggle, amounting
just nine wins but this season Coach Rodriguez had secured
many of the pieces of the puzzle and made a run at the MEAC
title.
"We of course renewed Coach Rodriguez's contract and
made a better offer than the one that had been in place," added
Davidson. "Unfortunately it wasn't what Coach Rodriguez
was looking for and he submitted his resignation. The meeting
was open and honest, we were very upfront with each other in
what he wanted and what we could offer. We worked in good faith
and wish Bobby and his family the best of luck in their future
endeavors and thank their whole family for their contributions
to UMES. Rodriguez's efforts have made the Athletic Department
and University very proud," he continued.
"I was hoping to find something that is a little more
secure for myself and my family," said Rodriguez. "But
I have no ill will toward UMES. I loved the time I spent there
and really enjoyed the campus and community as well as all
the young men that played for me. I had hoped for a better
situation there but I understand it all and now have to move
on."
Rodriguez finished with a combined record of 26-94-2 overall
and a MEAC record of 9-47. He plans to continue his coaching
career. The resignation likely ends Rodriguez's ties to the
area where he has been since 1997 when he served six years
as a coach of the Delmarva Shorebirds.
Wright leaves a tennis program where he has been the head
coach for the last four seasons.
Overseeing the men and women's program Wright worked hard
to establish some credibility to the program. His best season
came in 2004 when he took the women's program to a tenth place
finish and the men to an eighth place finish where both picked
up wins over MEAC south power Bethune-Cookman College in the
MEAC Tournament.
"Coach Wright managed a program that has typically been
down at UMES. He worked hard and garnered some well-deserved
respect and recognition from the MEAC and tennis coaches in
the area. The University thanks him for his efforts," said
Davidson.
Wright ends his stint at UMES with a 2-45 women's record and
a 2-49 record on the men's side.
|
