Hampton to coach Eastern Nazarene
The Eastern Nazarene College Department of Athletics announced
today that B.J. Hampton has been named the new head coach for the
ENC baseball program. Former head coach, Matt Kutt, is leaving the
program and retiring from baseball to return to a career in the
business world effective at the end of the 2011 season.
“I am thankful that the administration is entrusting me with
the ENC baseball program. We have a great core group of returning
players and an exciting incoming class that will make the
transition a smooth and successful one,” Hampton commented.
“I am losing a great mentor in Coach Kutt but I am thankful
for all that he has done to prepare me for the next step in my
career.”
Hampton takes over the helm for the Lions after one season as the
team’s pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. Prior to
his time at ENC, Hampton served as an assistant coach to Jim
Peeples at Piedmont College (Demorest, GA), working with pitchers
on the varsity squad while serving as the assistant coach to
Richard Dombrowski in the JV program.
“I am very excited about this great opportunity at Eastern
Nazarene,” Hampton said. “I believe this program has
tremendous potential because of the administration’s
dedication to improving athletics. The school is located in a prime
area of the country which will help greatly with our recruiting
process.”
The Lions 2011 injury plagued season resulted in a final record of
8-26. In its first season under Hampton, the Lions pitching
staff posted its lowest earned run average in five years at
5.86.
Hampton was a four-year member of the Piedmont College baseball
team before joining the staff as a coach. As a player, Hampton
helped lead the Lions to the school's first NCAA Division-III
postseason in 2008 when the senior- laden squad posted a 34-14
record, the best in school history. As a relief pitcher, Hampton
appeared in a Piedmont record 72 games and posted a career ERA of
4.52 in 157.2 innings pitched.
