McNeese State University Men's Baseball

Hills main focus was to bring a baseball program that was made of championship caliber in all aspects to McNeese State University   Hills resolute efforts to return the Cowboys to being one of the top teams in the Southland Conference has culminated during his first two seasons at the helm. With a 32-25 overall record in 2015, the Cowboys recorded 30 wins for the 17 th time in program history and back-to-back 30 win seasons for the first time since 2002-2003. Following 2015, Hill became just the third McNeese head coach to guide the team to back-to-back 30 win seasons in his first two seasons.   In just his second year as the McNeese skipper, Justin Hill led McNeese to back-to-back 30+ win seasons for the first time in over a decade, finished with the most conference victories (18) since 2006 and guided the Pokes to their fourth consecutive league tournament. He became the second fastest coach in program history to score 60 or more wins in only his first two seasons. Hill mentored Senior CLASS Award finalist and McNeese all-time hits leader Andrew Guillotte, NCBWA Stopper of the Year candidate Collin Kober and Johnny Bench Award nominee Cameron Toole in the process.   McNeeses 30 win season in 2014 was the programs first in nearly five years while the Cowboys compiled 17 conference victories, the best since 2012.  The two wins in the SLC Tournament was a team best since picking up two victories in 2010. Hill also became the first head coach since Mike Bianco in 1998 to win 30 or more games in his first season as the skipper for the Cowboys.  He also was the first coach since Todd Butler to win in his debut as he picked up a victory over Chicago State. Five school records, six NCAA records and one Southland Conference record were either tied or broken by Hills first McNeese team.  He also coached four All-Southland Conference student-athletes and three all-Louisiana honorees.   During Hills tenure, two Cowboys have been selected in the Major League Draft, including Andrew Guillotte in 2015. Guillotte was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays earlier in the year and has made a major impact in the minor league affiliations. He guided pitcher Michael Clemens to a 17 th round pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the MLB Draft.  The draft pick was the highest for any Cowboy baseball player since Lee Orr in 2010.  Clemens became the 20th McNeese pitcher to be drafted by the Major League since 1968.   Under Hills supervision, McNeese has earned nine All-SLC selections over the past two years, including five all-conference picks in 2015. McNeeses five All-SLC selections in 2015 were the most since the Cowboys placed five on the all-conference teams in 2006.   The success on the field translated into the classroom as his Cowboy baseball team has had 42 student-athletes named to the Southland Conference Commissioners Spring Honor Roll as well as 11 total players selected to the SLC All-Academic team.  Andrew Guillottes success on the field as well as in the classroom helped him earn a spot on the Capital One All-Academic District VI team in 2014.   Attendance has grown during Hills first two seasons at McNeese. A record total of 21,361 fans attended games at Cowboys Diamond in 2015 along with a school record 712 average spectators per contest. The 2014 season saw 14,189 fans (545 avg.) attend 26 home contests, the highest attendance numbers since the 2010 season and over 4,300 more than the 2013 season.   Hill helped in the revival of the Lake Area Classic in 2014, bringing in national programs such as Missouri and Southern Miss to participate in what was considered as one of the top tournaments in the country during opening weekend.  Hills Cowboy team was able to score victories over the member of one of the biggest baseball powerhouse conferences in the nation as McNeese defeated Missouri, 3-2.  The Cowboys concluded the weekend with a 7-1 win over NCAA Tournament regular Southern Miss.    He spent the past several years learning from some of the best head coaches in college baseball, including legendary coaches Skip Bertman and Mark Johnson, former Southeastern Louisiana head coach Jay Artigues, and current Alabama head coach Mitch Gaspard.   Throughout his young career, Hill has coached or recruited 36 players that have gone on to play in the professional ranks (29 drafted and 5 signing as free agents), 12 All-Americans, two conference players of the year, two NCBWA Stoppers of the Year, a conference pitcher of the year, relief pitcher of the year, freshman of the year, conference tournament MVP, and a Louisiana pitcher of the year.    In his first year at ULM, Hill coached a pitching staff that produced a 4.35 team earned run average, the lowest total in over a decade and over a full run lower than the previous year.  The 2012 staff also broke the school record with 554.2 innings pitched. Junior starter Randy Ziegler was named to the All-SBC Second Team, and reliever Wil Browning was named the 2012 Sun Belt Conference Baseball tournament Most Outstanding Performer. Both Ziegler and Browning entered the professional baseball ranks after the season, with Ziegler getting drafted by the San Francisco Giants and Browning signing with the Toronto Blue Jays.   Hill spent four seasons as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Southeastern Louisiana. The Lions averaged 36 wins per year during his tenure, including a school record 40-win season in 2010 - SLU opened the season 11-0 which included a season opening sweep of Mississippi State. SLU was ranked for a Southland Conference record eight straight weeks and peaked at No. 17 after winning 22 of its first 25 games.   Under Hill's guidance, the Lions ranked among the best pitching staffs in the Southland Conference. In 2011, SLU finished the year with a staff ERA of 3.91 and walked a league-low 159 batters in 494.2 innings (2.9/9 innings). Tyler Watkins was named the Louisiana Pitcher of the Year after going 10-4 with a 3.26 ERA. The 2010 staff put together a 4.29 ERA (before the bats were deadened) and issued just 3.4 walks per nine innings.   The 2008 Lion pitching staff led the Southland Conference in team ERA (4.26) and strikeouts (481). That year, Wade Miley became the highest drafted student-athlete in school history when the Arizona Diamondbacks selected him with the 43rd overall pick in the 2008 MLB First Year Player Draft.   The 2009 staff saw the emergence of reliever Chris Franklin as one of the top closers in the country as the junior set a school record with 12 saves and earned All-America honors. For the third consecutive year, SLU produced an All-American as Jordan Hymel earned Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America honors by finishing 7-1 on the mound in 2010.   Hill spent the 2007 season at Sam Houston State and helped oversee a team that went 40-24, won the Southland Conference Tournament, and advanced to the NCAA Regional Finals against Ole Miss after SHSU eliminated Southern Miss and Troy. The Bearkats posted the most wins by the program in 20 years, broke or tied 16 all-time program records and produced nine All-Southland Conference selections and two first team All-Americans.   With Hill's help Bearkat closer Luke Prihoda won the 2007 NCBWA Stopper of the Year award. Prihoda posted a 7-3 record with a 1.16 ERA, broke the school and conference record for saves, and led the nation with 18 saves. He was also named a first team All-American, the Southland Conference Pitcher of the Year, and the SLC Student-Athlete of the Year.   Hill spent the 2006 season at LSU as an assistant coach under Smoke Laval. The Tigers finished 35-24 in Hill's lone season in Baton Rouge, producing three Major League draft picks, a free agent signee, and a freshman All-American.   He spent the 2004 and 2005 seasons on current Alabama head coach Mitch Gaspard's staff at Northwestern State. In 2005, the Demons went 41-20, won the Southland Conference Championship, and earned an at-large bid to the 2005 NCAA Regionals in Baton Rouge. The 2005 Demons produced two freshmen All-Americans and two Major League draft picks.   Hill began his coaching career in 2003 at his alma mater, West Monroe High School, as an assistant on current ULM head coach Jeff Schexnaider's staff helping the Rebels to a district title.   During his playing days, Hill pitched at LSU for the legendary Skip Bertman. A two-year letterwinner and academic All-SEC performer in 2001, Hill was also part of the Tigers' 2001 and 2002 NCAA Regional Championship teams.   Hill appeared in 19 games in his final season at LSU, throwing 19 innings while compiling a 1-1 record with two saves and 27 strikeouts before a shoulder injury ended his season.   Hill began his playing career at Mississippi Delta Community College before transferring to Bossier Parish Community College.   At BPCC, Hill recorded a 7-2 mark and a 3.74 ERA with a school-record 102 strikeouts in 77 innings, while limiting opponents to a .199 batting average. He was an All-Region 23 and All-conference performer and was also a member of the Dean's List.   The West Monroe native graduated from LSU in 2002 and earned his master's degree from Northwestern State in 2005.   Hill is married to the former Melissa Rawls. The couple has two daughters Lily (6) and Rylie (3).     Mark Johnson, former Texas A&M and Sam Houston State Head Coach and a member of the ABCA Coaches Hall of Fame and Texas Baseball Hall of Fame Its a great hire for McNeese.  Hes (Hill) an outstanding person and thats what you hire, then hope hes a good baseball coach.  And with Justin, youre getting both.  Hes a strong character person and a man of integrity.  Hes high energy and an outstanding baseball man.  Hes had the advantage of being in various baseball programs and has been around a few different head coaches, all who have been a great influence on him.  I see nothing but good things for McNeese.  He will do well and will represent the university extremely well.   Jay Artigues, former Southeastern Louisiana head coach and current athletic director I couldnt be more excited than this opportunity for Justin.  Hes the kind of young man thats going to bring a lot of excitement to the program and community.  Hes a true professional and really cares about his kids and theyll see that on and off the field.  Hell have those players doing the right things in the classroom and in the community.  Hes the kind of young man that Id love to have my kids play for one day.   Mitch Gaspard, assistant coach at Kansas State; former Alabama and Northwestern State head coach Tommy did a great job in finding a rising star in the coaching business and a guy that has been around the Southland Conference and knows the league. He has great experience as a pitching coach and a recruiter and has done a great job in both. Hes ready to take that next step and be a head coach.  Hes a guy that has a lot of energy and will be passionate about the job. Hes someone that people will follow and thats what you need in a head coach.  Im excited for Justin.  McNeese has hired a really good coach and person.   Jeff Schexnaider, former Louisiana-Monroe head coach I was fortunate enough to coach him in high school then he moved on and played and coaches for some very successful baseball programs.   He possesses all of the characteristics of a great baseball coach.  Hes very organized.  Hes disciplined but fair and the kids relate well to him.  He really knows the game.  Hes coached at several programs for a lot of great leaders and hes learned a lot.  Theres no doubt hell be very successful. Justin Hill Head Coach When hired as the 13 th head coach in McNeese Baseball history on June 21, 2013, Justin Hills main focus was to bring a baseball program that was made of championship caliber in all aspects to McNeese State University   Hills resolute efforts to return the Cowboys to being one of the top teams in the Southland Conference has culminated during his first two seasons at the helm. With a 32-25 overall record in 2015, the Cowboys recorded 30 wins for the 17 th time in program history and back-to-back 30 win seasons for the first time since 2002-2003. Following 2015, Hill became just the third McNeese head coach to guide the team to back-to-back 30 win seasons in his first two seasons.   In just his second year as the McNeese skipper, Justin Hill led McNeese to back-to-back 30+ win seasons for the first time in over a decade, finished with the most conference victories (18) since 2006 and guided the Pokes to their fourth consecutive league tournament. He became the second fastest coach in program history to score 60 or more wins in only his first two seasons. Hill mentored Senior CLASS Award finalist and McNeese all-time hits leader Andrew Guillotte, NCBWA Stopper of the Year candidate Collin Kober and Johnny Bench Award nominee Cameron Toole in the process.   McNeeses 30 win season in 2014 was the programs first in nearly five years while the Cowboys compiled 17 conference victories, the best since 2012.  The two wins in the SLC Tournament was a team best since picking up two victories in 2010. Hill also became the first head coach since Mike Bianco in 1998 to win 30 or more games in his first season as the skipper for the Cowboys.  He also was the first coach since Todd Butler to win in his debut as he picked up a victory over Chicago State. Five school records, six NCAA records and one Southland Conference record were either tied or broken by Hills first McNeese team.  He also coached four All-Southland Conference student-athletes and three all-Louisiana honorees.   During Hills tenure, two Cowboys have been selected in the Major League Draft, including Andrew Guillotte in 2015. Guillotte was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays earlier in the year and has made a major impact in the minor league affiliations. He guided pitcher Michael Clemens to a 17 th round pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the MLB Draft.  The draft pick was the highest for any Cowboy baseball player since Lee Orr in 2010.  Clemens became the 20th McNeese pitcher to be drafted by the Major League since 1968.   Under Hills supervision, McNeese has earned nine All-SLC selections over the past two years, including five all-conference picks in 2015. McNeeses five All-SLC selections in 2015 were the most since the Cowboys placed five on the all-conference teams in 2006.   The success on the field translated into the classroom as his Cowboy baseball team has had 42 student-athletes named to the Southland Conference Commissioners Spring Honor Roll as well as 11 total players selected to the SLC All-Academic team.  Andrew Guillottes success on the field as well as in the classroom helped him earn a spot on the Capital One All-Academic District VI team in 2014.   Attendance has grown during Hills first two seasons at McNeese. A record total of 21,361 fans attended games at Cowboys Diamond in 2015 along with a school record 712 average spectators per contest. The 2014 season saw 14,189 fans (545 avg.) attend 26 home contests, the highest attendance numbers since the 2010 season and over 4,300 more than the 2013 season.   Hill helped in the revival of the Lake Area Classic in 2014, bringing in national programs such as Missouri and Southern Miss to participate in what was considered as one of the top tournaments in the country during opening weekend.  Hills Cowboy team was able to score victories over the member of one of the biggest baseball powerhouse conferences in the nation as McNeese defeated Missouri, 3-2.  The Cowboys concluded the weekend with a 7-1 win over NCAA Tournament regular Southern Miss.    He spent the past several years learning from some of the best head coaches in college baseball, including legendary coaches Skip Bertman and Mark Johnson, former Southeastern Louisiana head coach Jay Artigues, and current Alabama head coach Mitch Gaspard.   Throughout his young career, Hill has coached or recruited 36 players that have gone on to play in the professional ranks (29 drafted and 5 signing as free agents), 12 All-Americans, two conference players of the year, two NCBWA Stoppers of the Year, a conference pitcher of the year, relief pitcher of the year, freshman of the year, conference tournament MVP, and a Louisiana pitcher of the year.    In his first year at ULM, Hill coached a pitching staff that produced a 4.35 team earned run average, the lowest total in over a decade and over a full run lower than the previous year.  The 2012 staff also broke the school record with 554.2 innings pitched. Junior starter Randy Ziegler was named to the All-SBC Second Team, and reliever Wil Browning was named the 2012 Sun Belt Conference Baseball tournament Most Outstanding Performer. Both Ziegler and Browning entered the professional baseball ranks after the season, with Ziegler getting drafted by the San Francisco Giants and Browning signing with the Toronto Blue Jays.   Hill spent four seasons as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Southeastern Louisiana. The Lions averaged 36 wins per year during his tenure, including a school record 40-win season in 2010 - SLU opened the season 11-0 which included a season opening sweep of Mississippi State. SLU was ranked for a Southland Conference record eight straight weeks and peaked at No. 17 after winning 22 of its first 25 games.   Under Hill's guidance, the Lions ranked among the best pitching staffs in the Southland Conference. In 2011, SLU finished the year with a staff ERA of 3.91 and walked a league-low 159 batters in 494.2 innings (2.9/9 innings). Tyler Watkins was named the Louisiana Pitcher of the Year after going 10-4 with a 3.26 ERA. The 2010 staff put together a 4.29 ERA (before the bats were deadened) and issued just 3.4 walks per nine innings.   The 2008 Lion pitching staff led the Southland Conference in team ERA (4.26) and strikeouts (481). That year, Wade Miley became the highest drafted student-athlete in school history when the Arizona Diamondbacks selected him with the 43rd overall pick in the 2008 MLB First Year Player Draft.   The 2009 staff saw the emergence of reliever Chris Franklin as one of the top closers in the country as the junior set a school record with 12 saves and earned All-America honors. For the third consecutive year, SLU produced an All-American as Jordan Hymel earned Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America honors by finishing 7-1 on the mound in 2010.   Hill spent the 2007 season at Sam Houston State and helped oversee a team that went 40-24, won the Southland Conference Tournament, and advanced to the NCAA Regional Finals against Ole Miss after SHSU eliminated Southern Miss and Troy. The Bearkats posted the most wins by the program in 20 years, broke or tied 16 all-time program records and produced nine All-Southland Conference selections and two first team All-Americans.   With Hill's help Bearkat closer Luke Prihoda won the 2007 NCBWA Stopper of the Year award. Prihoda posted a 7-3 record with a 1.16 ERA, broke the school and conference record for saves, and led the nation with 18 saves. He was also named a first team All-American, the Southland Conference Pitcher of the Year, and the SLC Student-Athlete of the Year.   Hill spent the 2006 season at LSU as an assistant coach under Smoke Laval. The Tigers finished 35-24 in Hill's lone season in Baton Rouge, producing three Major League draft picks, a free agent signee, and a freshman All-American.   He spent the 2004 and 2005 seasons on current Alabama head coach Mitch Gaspard's staff at Northwestern State. In 2005, the Demons went 41-20, won the Southland Conference Championship, and earned an at-large bid to the 2005 NCAA Regionals in Baton Rouge. The 2005 Demons produced two freshmen All-Americans and two Major League draft picks.   Hill began his coaching career in 2003 at his alma mater, West Monroe High School, as an assistant on current ULM head coach Jeff Schexnaider's staff helping the Rebels to a district title.   During his playing days, Hill pitched at LSU for the legendary Skip Bertman. A two-year letterwinner and academic All-SEC performer in 2001, Hill was also part of the Tigers' 2001 and 2002 NCAA Regional Championship teams.   Hill appeared in 19 games in his final season at LSU, throwing 19 innings while compiling a 1-1 record with two saves and 27 strikeouts before a shoulder injury ended his season.   Hill began his playing career at Mississippi Delta Community College before transferring to Bossier Parish Community College.   At BPCC, Hill recorded a 7-2 mark and a 3.74 ERA with a school-record 102 strikeouts in 77 innings, while limiting opponents to a .199 batting average. He was an All-Region 23 and All-conference performer and was also a member of the Dean's List.   The West Monroe native graduated from LSU in 2002 and earned his master's degree from Northwestern State in 2005.   Hill is married to the former Melissa Rawls. The couple has two daughters Lily (6) and Rylie (3).     Mark Johnson, former Texas A&M and Sam Houston State Head Coach and a member of the ABCA Coaches Hall of Fame and Texas Baseball Hall of Fame Its a great hire for McNeese.  Hes (Hill) an outstanding person and thats what you hire, then hope hes a good baseball coach.  And with Justin, youre getting both.  Hes a strong character person and a man of integrity.  Hes high energy and an outstanding baseball man.  Hes had the advantage of being in various baseball programs and has been around a few different head coaches, all who have been a great influence on him.  I see nothing but good things for McNeese.  He will do well and will represent the university extremely well.   Jay Artigues, former Southeastern Louisiana head coach and current athletic director I couldnt be more excited than this opportunity for Justin.  Hes the kind of young man thats going to bring a lot of excitement to the program and community.  Hes a true professional and really cares about his kids and theyll see that on and off the field.  Hell have those players doing the right things in the classroom and in the community.  Hes the kind of young man that Id love to have my kids play for one day.   Mitch Gaspard, assistant coach at Kansas State; former Alabama and Northwestern State head coach Tommy did a great job in finding a rising star in the coaching business and a guy that has been around the Southland Conference and knows the league. He has great experience as a pitching coach and a recruiter and has done a great job in both. Hes ready to take that next step and be a head coach.  Hes a guy that has a lot of energy and will be passionate about the job. Hes someone that people will follow and thats what you need in a head coach.  Im excited for Justin.  McNeese has hired a really good coach and person.   Jeff Schexnaider, former Louisiana-Monroe head coach I was fortunate enough to coach him in high school then he moved on and played and coaches for some very successful baseball programs.   He possesses all of the characteristics of a great baseball coach.  Hes very organized.  Hes disciplined but fair and the kids relate well to him.  He really knows the game.  Hes coached at several programs for a lot of great leaders and hes learned a lot.  Theres no doubt hell be very successful.

Zaleski joins the McNeese baseball family after spending the last three seasons as a volunteer assistant for the UTSA Roadrunners. His knowledge of the game helped the UTSA baseball club produce some of the top offensive numbers in both the Western Athletic Conference and Conference-USA.   A member of the UTSA coaching staff since 2012, Zaleski mentored one of the top-10 offenses in school history. UTSA registered its most successful season since 2008 in 2013 when the team posted a 35-25 overall record and advanced to the program's third NCAA Regional after winning the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Tournament Championship.   That season, the Birds paced the WAC with a .299 batting average and 629 hits. RJ Perucki (.350/fifth) and Riley Good (.335/ninth) both ranked among the top 10 in batting averages in the league and the duo tied for second in the circuit with 84 hits apiece. Perucki, who earned first-team All-WAC accolades, also finished second in the conference with 132 total bases and third with 12 home runs, while Daniel Rockett, who was a second-team honoree, slugged .562 and finished third.   In 2014, UTSA made the transition to Conference USA and, in its first year, finished in the top five in most major offensive statistical categories. The Roadrunners finished second in home runs (27) and third in hits (564), RBIs (276) and total bases (770).   Zaleski joined the coaching ranks after a successful playing career at Sam Houston State (2006-09) under then head coach Mark Johnson and Hill, who served as an assistant for the Bearkats. He guided Sam Houston State to three Southland Conference Tournament Championships (2007-09) and an appearance in the 2007 NCAA Division I Oxford Regional Championship Game.   The Sugar Land native still holds the Sam Houston State single-season batting average record after hitting at a .419 clip in 2009. He also was named the Bearkats Most Valuable Player and a Ping! Baseball honorable mention All-American following his senior campaign.   Following his playing career in Huntsville, Zaleski signed a free agent contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. He spent one season as a farmhand before retiring.   Zaleski earned his bachelor's degree in marketing from Sam Houston State in 2009 and his master's degree in human performance with emphasis in sport management from Alabama two years later. Zaleski is married to the former Amy Brown.