James Madison University Men's Baseball

Ikenberry as head coach of the James Madison baseball program, naming Ikenberry the sixth skipper in program history.   "I am extremely excited to welcome Coach Ikenberry to JMU and our baseball program," Bourne said. "Marlin brings a tremendous philosophy and set of experiences that mesh well with our vision for being the NCAA model for the student-athlete experience."   Ikenberry previously served as head coach at Virginia Military Institute from 2004-14, racking up 282 wins, the most in program history, and leading the Keydets to numerous school records.   He departed VMI in 2014 as the Institute's longest-serving head coach and was instrumental in turning around a program that had won more than 20 games just twice in the nine seasons prior to his tenure. In 11 seasons with Ikenberry at the helm, the Keydets dipped below the 20-win mark just twice and posted the first three 30-win seasons in program history.   "My wife Shannon and I, along with our two boys, could not be more excited to join the JMU family," Ikenberry said. "With that said, I consider it a great honor and privilege to have the opportunity to take over a JMU baseball program that has such a long history of success. I would like to thank , and all those involved in the process for their due diligence. I look forward to partnering with Jeff and the rest of the athletics department to lead JMU baseball into the future."   Prior to being named head coach, Ikenberry served as the top assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at VMI under head coach Tom Slater beginning in 2001. After Slater's departure for a coaching job at the University of Florida, Ikenberry was tabbed to head up the program and the decision paid immediate dividends.   Ikenberry returned to his alma mater for the 2001 season after spending three years at William and Mary as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. In 2000, his final season in Williamsburg, the Tribe racked up a school-record 32 wins. The following year, William and Mary won the only Colonial Athletic Association title in program history.   "I want to thank Associate Athletics Director and the entire search committee for their work on this process, especially Coach and Coach ," Bourne said. "Their insight as successful head coaches at JMU was invaluable to us in selecting Coach Ikenberry as the ideal fit for JMU Baseball."   After guiding the Keydets to 23 wins in 2004 and 27 in 2005, Ikenberry led VMI to 30 victories in 2006 and 34 in 2007, a single-season mark that still stands as the best in program history.   Over the course of his 11 seasons, VMI averaged more than 25 wins per season. Prior to Ikenberry taking the reins, the 25-win 2003 campaign--Ikenberry's third and final year as recruiting coordinator before stepping in as head coach--marked the only time the Keydets had reached that mark in a single season. From 2004-2014, 15 VMI players were selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.   This past year, Ikenberry served as the Vice President for Business Development at ARMS Software, which develops recruiting, management and scouting software for collegiate athletic departments across the country.   Ikenberry began his collegiate baseball career as a four-year starting catcher for the Keydets. While playing, he developed a reputation for his excellent defensive skills and his handling of the pitching staff. He also caught for former VMI and Major League pitcher Ryan Glynn. He played on VMI's 1993 squad that advanced to the Southern Conference Championship game and ranked third nationally in defense.   A native of Richmond, Va., Ikenberry has two brothers who also attended VMI. Twin brother Merlin Ikenberry was a teammate as a pitcher and designated hitter while his oldest brother Steve Ikenberry is an alum of the class of 1980. Marlin married the former Shannon Marshall in August 2000 and the couple has two sons.   "I also would like to thank all my former players, coaches, mentors and friends for allowing my family and me to be a part of their lives," Ikenberry added. "I know that, without their belief in my hard work, passion and energy, I would not have been afforded this unbelievable opportunity. I'll also extend a special thanks to ARMS Software for their professionalism, intellect and leadership, which has made me not only a better coach, but a better leader. I look forward to getting to work right away. Go Dukes!"   Ikenberry replaces former head coach Spanky McFarland , who retired following the 2015 season with 521 wins across his 18 seasons leading the Dukes, the second-highest total in program history.   JMU returns all but two players from this past year's team heading into 2016, including eight of its nine starters. Marlin Ikenberry Head Coach   HARRISONBURG, Va. - Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne announced on June 30, 2015, the appointment of Marlin Ikenberry as head coach of the James Madison baseball program, naming Ikenberry the sixth skipper in program history.   "I am extremely excited to welcome Coach Ikenberry to JMU and our baseball program," Bourne said. "Marlin brings a tremendous philosophy and set of experiences that mesh well with our vision for being the NCAA model for the student-athlete experience."   Ikenberry previously served as head coach at Virginia Military Institute from 2004-14, racking up 282 wins, the most in program history, and leading the Keydets to numerous school records.   He departed VMI in 2014 as the Institute's longest-serving head coach and was instrumental in turning around a program that had won more than 20 games just twice in the nine seasons prior to his tenure. In 11 seasons with Ikenberry at the helm, the Keydets dipped below the 20-win mark just twice and posted the first three 30-win seasons in program history.   "My wife Shannon and I, along with our two boys, could not be more excited to join the JMU family," Ikenberry said. "With that said, I consider it a great honor and privilege to have the opportunity to take over a JMU baseball program that has such a long history of success. I would like to thank , and all those involved in the process for their due diligence. I look forward to partnering with Jeff and the rest of the athletics department to lead JMU baseball into the future."   Prior to being named head coach, Ikenberry served as the top assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at VMI under head coach Tom Slater beginning in 2001. After Slater's departure for a coaching job at the University of Florida, Ikenberry was tabbed to head up the program and the decision paid immediate dividends.   Ikenberry returned to his alma mater for the 2001 season after spending three years at William and Mary as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. In 2000, his final season in Williamsburg, the Tribe racked up a school-record 32 wins. The following year, William and Mary won the only Colonial Athletic Association title in program history.   "I want to thank Associate Athletics Director and the entire search committee for their work on this process, especially Coach and Coach ," Bourne said. "Their insight as successful head coaches at JMU was invaluable to us in selecting Coach Ikenberry as the ideal fit for JMU Baseball."   After guiding the Keydets to 23 wins in 2004 and 27 in 2005, Ikenberry led VMI to 30 victories in 2006 and 34 in 2007, a single-season mark that still stands as the best in program history.   Over the course of his 11 seasons, VMI averaged more than 25 wins per season. Prior to Ikenberry taking the reins, the 25-win 2003 campaign--Ikenberry's third and final year as recruiting coordinator before stepping in as head coach--marked the only time the Keydets had reached that mark in a single season. From 2004-2014, 15 VMI players were selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.   This past year, Ikenberry served as the Vice President for Business Development at ARMS Software, which develops recruiting, management and scouting software for collegiate athletic departments across the country.   Ikenberry began his collegiate baseball career as a four-year starting catcher for the Keydets. While playing, he developed a reputation for his excellent defensive skills and his handling of the pitching staff. He also caught for former VMI and Major League pitcher Ryan Glynn. He played on VMI's 1993 squad that advanced to the Southern Conference Championship game and ranked third nationally in defense.   A native of Richmond, Va., Ikenberry has two brothers who also attended VMI. Twin brother Merlin Ikenberry was a teammate as a pitcher and designated hitter while his oldest brother Steve Ikenberry is an alum of the class of 1980. Marlin married the former Shannon Marshall in August 2000 and the couple has two sons.   "I also would like to thank all my former players, coaches, mentors and friends for allowing my family and me to be a part of their lives," Ikenberry added. "I know that, without their belief in my hard work, passion and energy, I would not have been afforded this unbelievable opportunity. I'll also extend a special thanks to ARMS Software for their professionalism, intellect and leadership, which has made me not only a better coach, but a better leader. I look forward to getting to work right away. Go Dukes!"   Ikenberry replaces former head coach Spanky McFarland , who retired following the 2015 season with 521 wins across his 18 seasons leading the Dukes, the second-highest total in program history.   JMU returns all but two players from this past year's team heading into 2016, including eight of its nine starters.

Jackson has been named assistant coach and pitching coach for the James Madison baseball team, as announced by Head Coach Marlin Ikenberry on Tuesday afternoon.   We are very excited to have Jimmy and his family join the JMU Baseball family, Ikenberry said. I was very impressed with his staffs, both at Fordham and Sienna, over the last seven years, and his background in pitching and development planning will help propel our programs pitching.   Jackson comes to Harrisonburg from Fordham, where he spent four seasons as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator, putting together some of the Atlantic 10s best pitching staffs along the way.   In 2015, his staff combined to break the program record for strikeouts in a season, as the Rams fanned 392 opposing batters to break the 1999 mark of 387 en route to their second straight appearance in the A-10 Championship. Jackson also saw two members of his first recruiting class selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, including pitcher Brett Kennedy, who was taken in the 11th round by the San Diego Padres.   The 2014 season marked Fordhams first appearance in the A-10 Championship in four seasons, as Jackson guided the pitching staff to its best strikeout-to-walk ratio (1.91:1) since joining the conference.   I would like to thank Coach Ikenberry for giving my family and me the opportunity to be a part of this incredible university and baseball program, Jackson said. Coach Ikenberry has a proven track record and has set the bar high for this program. I am looking forward to being a part of that climb and continuing the rich tradition of JMU Baseball.   Prior to his four years at Fordham, Jackson spent three years at Siena, the last two as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. The pitching staff led the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in ERA in his first season as pitching coach and finished second in the conference the following year. Jackson's staff lowered its ERA by two full runs each season and, in 2011, posted the programs best ERA in over 10 years. Siena's pitchers also broke three individual season records and two season staff records, as well as a pair of freshman season records. In three years at Siena, the Saints had multiple All-Conference and All-Region players, as well as one Freshman All-American and one All-American. Prior to Siena, Jackson spent three years as the varsity pitching coach at Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn, Maryland. In that time, Archbishop Spalding had 17 players who advanced to play in college, including 10 pitchers. Additionally, Jackson delivered private lessons to over 20 players that moved onto the collegiate ranks, including eight who played at the Division I level.   Jimmy has coached with some of the most dynamic leaders and coaches in baseball, including Steve Miller at Archbishop Spalding High School, Tony Rossi at Siena and Kevin Leighton at Fordham, Ikenberry said. He has developed great arms that went on to play professional baseball everywhere he has coached, including both the collegiate and high school ranks.   Originally from Glen Burnie, Md., and a graduate of Old Mill High School, Jackson played two years ('04 & '05) of independent professional baseball in the Frontier and Atlantic Leagues after a standout collegiate career that ended in 2004 at Division II Shepherd University in West Virginia, where he earned his bachelors degree. He was a two-way player as an infielder and pitcher at Shepherd, earning First Team All-Conference, All-Region and Preseason All-American honors as a pitcher. He still holds multiple pitching records at Shepherd.  Jackson and his wife, Brittany, have one son, Grayson.   JMU returns all but two players heading into 2016 and brings back eight of nine starters for the Dukes' first season under the new coaching staff.   Jimmy Jackson Assistant Coach/Pitching Coach   HARRISONBURG, Va. - Jimmy Jackson has been named assistant coach and pitching coach for the James Madison baseball team, as announced by Head Coach Marlin Ikenberry on Tuesday afternoon.   We are very excited to have Jimmy and his family join the JMU Baseball family, Ikenberry said. I was very impressed with his staffs, both at Fordham and Sienna, over the last seven years, and his background in pitching and development planning will help propel our programs pitching.   Jackson comes to Harrisonburg from Fordham, where he spent four seasons as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator, putting together some of the Atlantic 10s best pitching staffs along the way.   In 2015, his staff combined to break the program record for strikeouts in a season, as the Rams fanned 392 opposing batters to break the 1999 mark of 387 en route to their second straight appearance in the A-10 Championship. Jackson also saw two members of his first recruiting class selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, including pitcher Brett Kennedy, who was taken in the 11th round by the San Diego Padres.   The 2014 season marked Fordhams first appearance in the A-10 Championship in four seasons, as Jackson guided the pitching staff to its best strikeout-to-walk ratio (1.91:1) since joining the conference.   I would like to thank Coach Ikenberry for giving my family and me the opportunity to be a part of this incredible university and baseball program, Jackson said. Coach Ikenberry has a proven track record and has set the bar high for this program. I am looking forward to being a part of that climb and continuing the rich tradition of JMU Baseball.   Prior to his four years at Fordham, Jackson spent three years at Siena, the last two as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. The pitching staff led the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in ERA in his first season as pitching coach and finished second in the conference the following year. Jackson's staff lowered its ERA by two full runs each season and, in 2011, posted the programs best ERA in over 10 years. Siena's pitchers also broke three individual season records and two season staff records, as well as a pair of freshman season records. In three years at Siena, the Saints had multiple All-Conference and All-Region players, as well as one Freshman All-American and one All-American. Prior to Siena, Jackson spent three years as the varsity pitching coach at Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn, Maryland. In that time, Archbishop Spalding had 17 players who advanced to play in college, including 10 pitchers. Additionally, Jackson delivered private lessons to over 20 players that moved onto the collegiate ranks, including eight who played at the Division I level.   Jimmy has coached with some of the most dynamic leaders and coaches in baseball, including Steve Miller at Archbishop Spalding High School, Tony Rossi at Siena and Kevin Leighton at Fordham, Ikenberry said. He has developed great arms that went on to play professional baseball everywhere he has coached, including both the collegiate and high school ranks.   Originally from Glen Burnie, Md., and a graduate of Old Mill High School, Jackson played two years ('04 & '05) of independent professional baseball in the Frontier and Atlantic Leagues after a standout collegiate career that ended in 2004 at Division II Shepherd University in West Virginia, where he earned his bachelors degree. He was a two-way player as an infielder and pitcher at Shepherd, earning First Team All-Conference, All-Region and Preseason All-American honors as a pitcher. He still holds multiple pitching records at Shepherd.  Jackson and his wife, Brittany, have one son, Grayson.   JMU returns all but two players heading into 2016 and brings back eight of nine starters for the Dukes' first season under the new coaching staff.