Hendricks Returns to Wake Forest as Pitching Coach
12/14/2018 5:13:00 PM | Baseball
Head coach Tom Walter announced the hiring of John Hendricks, who spent the last nine years working with MLB teams.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Wake Forest head baseball coach Tom Walter announced the addition of John Hendricks as the pitching coach for the 2019 season.
Hendricks, a 2000 graduate of Wake Forest, still ranks as the program's all-time leader with 34 career wins and 409.2 innings pitched, and was also the strikeout leader with 312 until 2017.
"As the process unfolded, it became clear that John is the perfect guy to join this staff," Walter said. "He was the ultimate competitor on the mound. He has an unparalleled love of and dedication to Wake Forest. Most importantly, he is one of the brightest pitching minds in the game. His feel for what it takes to be successful and his knowledge of what an athletic and repeatable delivery looks like is the best in the game."
Hendricks has spent more than nine years working in Major League Baseball, including the last five seasons with the New York Mets. After two years as the Area Supervisor of the Carolinas, he was promoted to National Pitching Supervisor in 2015.
In that position, Hendricks was responsible for evaluating and drafting pitchers across the country. He also served as a voice on the Mets' staff on the future of pitching development and mentored a 20-person staff on the science of scouting pitchers.
"I am extremely honored to be the next pitching coach of the Deacs. There is no other college baseball job in the country I would have considered leaving the Mets for. Wake Forest is home for me," Hendricks said. "To get to work with this coaching staff, be part of this program's commitment to winning, and working with such talented players was a no-brainer. We will prepare and do everything we can to get to Omaha."
For the last four years, he has also served as a roving pitching coordinator with the USA Baseball U-18 National Team Program. He has assisted in the player evaluation and roster building process, and also served as an on-field pitching coach and head coach.
Before joining the Mets, Hendricks spent four years as the Area Supervisor of the Carolinas for the Toronto Blue Jays, which included signing first-round pick Marcus Stroman from Duke. He also assisted the player development staff with pitching plans for minor league pitchers.
Hendricks has experience in coaching at the collegiate level. He spent two seasons at Tennessee Wesleyan, serving as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, where the team reached the NAIA World Series and eventually had five MLB draft picks.
Before that he spent five seasons at Lenoir Rhyne, starting as a graduate assistant before working his way up to associate head coach. His pitching staffs set school records for ERA and wins in a season.
As a player at Wake Forest, Hendricks finished with a career record of 34-18 with a 4.20 ERA, as well as 18 complete games. He was drafted by the Mets in the 14th round of the 1999 MLB Draft. That season, he went 5-4 with a 3.04 ERA before concluding his pro career the following year.
Hendricks replaces Matt Hobbs, who took the same position at College World Series runner-up Arkansas.
"I'd like to thank athletic director Ron Wellman and head coach Tom Walter for trusting me with the responsibility to help guide us to championships," Hendricks added. "Also, a shout-out to Tommy Tanuos and Marc Tramuta with the Mets - thank you both for teaching me how to be a leader."
Wake Forest opens the 2019 campaign at home from Feb. 15-17, hosting Sacred Heart, Illinois and Georgetown that weekend.
Hendricks, a 2000 graduate of Wake Forest, still ranks as the program's all-time leader with 34 career wins and 409.2 innings pitched, and was also the strikeout leader with 312 until 2017.
"As the process unfolded, it became clear that John is the perfect guy to join this staff," Walter said. "He was the ultimate competitor on the mound. He has an unparalleled love of and dedication to Wake Forest. Most importantly, he is one of the brightest pitching minds in the game. His feel for what it takes to be successful and his knowledge of what an athletic and repeatable delivery looks like is the best in the game."
Hendricks has spent more than nine years working in Major League Baseball, including the last five seasons with the New York Mets. After two years as the Area Supervisor of the Carolinas, he was promoted to National Pitching Supervisor in 2015.
In that position, Hendricks was responsible for evaluating and drafting pitchers across the country. He also served as a voice on the Mets' staff on the future of pitching development and mentored a 20-person staff on the science of scouting pitchers.
"I am extremely honored to be the next pitching coach of the Deacs. There is no other college baseball job in the country I would have considered leaving the Mets for. Wake Forest is home for me," Hendricks said. "To get to work with this coaching staff, be part of this program's commitment to winning, and working with such talented players was a no-brainer. We will prepare and do everything we can to get to Omaha."
For the last four years, he has also served as a roving pitching coordinator with the USA Baseball U-18 National Team Program. He has assisted in the player evaluation and roster building process, and also served as an on-field pitching coach and head coach.
Before joining the Mets, Hendricks spent four years as the Area Supervisor of the Carolinas for the Toronto Blue Jays, which included signing first-round pick Marcus Stroman from Duke. He also assisted the player development staff with pitching plans for minor league pitchers.
Hendricks has experience in coaching at the collegiate level. He spent two seasons at Tennessee Wesleyan, serving as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, where the team reached the NAIA World Series and eventually had five MLB draft picks.
Before that he spent five seasons at Lenoir Rhyne, starting as a graduate assistant before working his way up to associate head coach. His pitching staffs set school records for ERA and wins in a season.
As a player at Wake Forest, Hendricks finished with a career record of 34-18 with a 4.20 ERA, as well as 18 complete games. He was drafted by the Mets in the 14th round of the 1999 MLB Draft. That season, he went 5-4 with a 3.04 ERA before concluding his pro career the following year.
Hendricks replaces Matt Hobbs, who took the same position at College World Series runner-up Arkansas.
"I'd like to thank athletic director Ron Wellman and head coach Tom Walter for trusting me with the responsibility to help guide us to championships," Hendricks added. "Also, a shout-out to Tommy Tanuos and Marc Tramuta with the Mets - thank you both for teaching me how to be a leader."
Wake Forest opens the 2019 campaign at home from Feb. 15-17, hosting Sacred Heart, Illinois and Georgetown that weekend.
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