Jul 22nd, 2019
Jackson State's own Michael Winders has been named as the new head baseball coach of the Green Jays for the 2019-2020 season. Winders, a former Jackson State baseball team member, served as the baseball team catching coach from 2005-2008, and has been the head softball coach since 2008, adding women's basketball coach to his resume from 2011 to 2016.
Winders has won over 200 games in his career and set the single-season wins record in 2016 at 41 wins. As catching coach in 2005, he notably worked with Luis Martinez, who would later be drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2007.
"We are very excited that Coach Winders will be leading our baseball program," says Jackson State athletic director Steve Cornelison. "He excelled as a player and as our softball coach, and he will bring the same level of intensity and dedication in his new role."
Winders graduated from Hamilton High School in 2000 after winning the Mississippi 1A state Championships in 1997 and 1999. He began his collegiate playing career from 2001 to 2002 at Jackson State and was selected to the All TCCAA Team his first year. Winders later played baseball at Lambuth University from 2003 to 2004. He currently lives in Jackson with his wife and two sons.
Cornelison says the search for a new head softball coach will begin immediately.