University of Saint Joseph (CT) Women's Softball

McKinnon is in his 11th season with the Blue Jays. Over the past 10 years, McKinnon has compiled a record of 197 wins and 172 losses while leading the team to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) tournament in each of the past six years and eight times in all. He has had 22 players selected all-conference, including five each in 2013 and 2014. The 2014 season also saw the selection of Ashley Gall and Patti Sciglimpaglia as All-Region selections and All-American nominees, a first for the program. McKinnon guided USJ to one of its best seasons ever in 2013 as the Blue Jays finished 32-12 and set a school record for wins in a season. St. Joseph was one of the final three teams left in the GNAC Tournament.  In 2011, Saint Joseph also finished third in the GNAC Tournament and in 2012 the Blue Jays made another deep run, going 3-2 and finishing fourth. Of the eight 20-win seasons in USJ history, six have come under McKinnon, including five years in a row from 2010-14. McKinnon emphasizes defensive fundamentals and intelligent play as keys to the Blue Jays improving record. "Good defense, combined with smart play in the field and on the bases will always keep us in games and give us a chance to win."  Prior to joining the Blue Jays staff, McKinnon was the head softball coach at Northwest Catholic High School for four seasons and an assistant coach at Rocky Hill High School for two. He has also coached with the Conn. Eliminators travel softball program and was a boys and girls basketball and football coach at Rocky Hill. McKinnon earned his Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from the University of New Haven where he competed on the Chargers lacrosse team and was a captain his senior season. He recently retired after 38 years of service to the State of Connecticut including 10 as an Agency Police Sergeant and 15 as Director of Residential and Rehabilitation Services for the Department of Veteran Affairs in Rocky Hill. A native of Wallingford, Connecticut, McKinnon currently resides in Newington with his wife Joanne. The couple has four children; twins Jimmy IV and Christine, Jennifer and Matthew.