University of Minnesota Athletics Director Mark Coyle announced today that Golden Gopher alum and current Minnesota pitching coach Ty McDevitt has been named head baseball coach. The University and McDevitt have agreed to a three-year term, pending the completion of a background check.
McDevitt, 31, is Minnesota’s 16th head coach in program history (the Gophers had two coaches in both the 1910 and 1922 seasons), but is only the program’s fourth head coach since 1948. Dick Siebert led the Gophers from 1948-78 and was then followed by George Thomas who was at the helm from 1979-81. McDevitt follows John Anderson who coached Minnesota for 43 seasons from 1982-2024 and amassed 1,390 wins.
McDevitt, who graduated from Minnesota in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology law and criminal deviance, will lead Gopher baseball after serving as the team’s pitching coach since 2019. The Apple Valley, Minn. native previously was a volunteer assistant for the Gophers from 2017 to 2018.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to accept the position of head baseball coach at the University of Minnesota,” said McDevitt. “This program is steeped in rich history and tradition, built on the hard work, dedication, and passion of countless players, coaches, and supporters who have come before me. As I step into this role, I am committed to upholding the values and excellence that define Gopher Baseball. Together, we will strive to build upon this storied legacy, fostering a culture of integrity, resilience, and success both on and off the field. I want to thank Mark Coyle and Peyton Owens for entrusting me with this incredible opportunity. Go Gophers!”
McDevitt joined the Gopher baseball coaching staff after playing five seasons in the Maroon and Gold where he was a stabilizing presence in the bullpen.
This past season, Minnesota’s starting pitcher Connor Wietgrefe was named First Team All-Big Ten, becoming the first Gopher to earn that honor since 2019. The southpaw had an 8-4 record in 13 starts. His eight wins tied for first and his 2.77 ERA ranked second among Big Ten pitchers.
McDevitt is known for his ability to develop high school arms into MLB Draft prospects, as he has overseen the development of numerous pitchers during his time at Minnesota. The list of notable pitchers that McDevitt has worked with at Minnesota include Max Meyer (Miami Marlins), Brett Schulze (Philadelphia Phillies), Jake Stevenson (Cincinnati Reds), Nick Lackney (Philadelphia Phillies), Reggie Meyer (Texas Rangers), Jackson Rose (Miami Marlins), Tyler Hanson (Colorado Rockies), Brian Glowicki (Chicago Cubs), Lucas Gilbreath (Colorado Rockies), Dalton Sawyer (Oakland Athletics), J.P. Massey (Pittsburgh Pirates), Aidan Maldonado (Milwaukee Brewers) and George Klassen (Philadelphia Phillies). With the exception of Meyer and Gilbreath, none of the aforementioned players had previously been drafted before arriving at Minnesota.
Meyer is the most well-known player to ascend the ranks under McDevitt. Meyer joined the Gophers in 2018 as a 34th round draft pick out of Woodbury High School. When he left Minnesota after the 2020 season he was taken in the first round with the third overall pick by the Miami Marlins in the 2020 MLB Draft.
McDevitt helped Meyer find success as a reliever in his freshman season, where he posted a 2.06 ERA and tied the program record of 16 saves en route to an All-American campaign. Meyer successfully transitioned to the starting rotation in 2019, a move that significantly enhanced his draft stock and featured 76.2 innings of 2.11 ERA work. For his junior encore, which was cut short by the Covid-19 pandemic, Meyer went 3-1 as the ace of the staff with a team-low 1.95 ERA and 46 strikeouts (tied for fifth in the NCAA).
“I am excited for Ty and for the Gopher baseball program,” said Coyle. “Ty is a proud alum who is the right person to manage this team. I know he will lead with great integrity and intensity, both on and off the field. He has earned this next step in his career, and I am excited to watch him get to work.”
Prior to joining the Gopher Baseball staff, McDevitt founded and instructed at The Cages and NorthStar Baseball Club. During his time at the Burnsville, Minn., facility, McDevitt graduated numerous arms to Division I baseball and most notably, Sam Carlson, a second round pick by the Seattle Mariners.
McDevitt and his wife, Claire, have a daughter, Mila.
(info and photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)
