2009 Baseball Coaches

JBurton@trevecca.edu
615.248.1276

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Former Trojan hurler Jonathan Burton begins his first season as the head coach of the Trojan program. He is the seventh head coach in the history of the Trojan baseball program.

Burton was an assistant for Chris Collins over the last two seasons. Burton was the pitching coach while heading up the recruiting efforts for former Trojan mentors Jeff Forehand and Collins. Burton also maintained all the outdoor athletic facilities at Trevecca.

In his comments about Jonathan Burton accepting the Trojan baseball head coaching position, President Dan Boone noted that Trevecca is putting another great Christian leader in charge of the baseball program. He added, "Trevecca Nazarene University is excited to announce the selection of Jonathan Burton as its next head baseball coach. Jonathan is a graduate of Trevecca and embodies the spirit of the Trevecca experience. He has been a vital part of coaching our nationally renowned program during the past few years and will continue the tradition of a strong athletic program built on Christian character."

Trevecca director of athletics Brenda Patterson added, "We had some very strong candidates for the head coaching position but it was Jonathan's passion for Trevecca, his excellent work ethics, and his love for the game that made Jonathan stand out above the other candidates. Jonathan is a great addition to head coaching staff and we are excited to watch our strong baseball tradition continue with Coach Burton at the helm."

Patterson is pleased to hire someone out of the Trevecca family: "Jonathan is no stranger to Trevecca Nazarene University. Jonathan graduated from TNU and has been an assistant coach for the Trojans since 2004."

Burton said, "Trevecca holds a unique place in my heart. Having the opportunity to lead the program that I helped build as a player and assistant coach is an incredible opportunity. I want to thank President Boone, Steve Harris, and Brenda Patterson for the chance to guide the Trojan baseball program. Trevecca has always been home to me and I'm excited to be able to continue on this journey."

"The success that our program has had to this point has been in part to two fantastic head coaches (Jeff Forehand and Chris Collins). The foundation that has been laid and my hope and our charge are to continue building on that winning tradition. With our returning class and incoming signees we have a great opportunity to do something special again next spring."

Burton himself had an inspiring career as a player prior to his conversion to coaching. Burton, who pitched at Trevecca from 2001-2004, returned from Tommy John surgery in 2004 and posted a career-best 8-1 record with a 3.93 ERA, compiling a career record of 13-10. After the devastating arm injury Burton spent a year helping the Trojans as a scout and essentially starting his coaching career. Burton had a memorable and gutsy performance against Birmingham Southern in 2001. Burton threw the complete game, picking up the win in a 4-2 decision against the eventual national champions.

Burton, from Smith County in Tennessee, transferred to Trevecca after a two-year stay at Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin, Tenn.

Burton served as a graduate assistant at Trevecca in 2005 when the Trojans posted a 47-16 record, won the TranSouth Conference title, and advanced to regional play for the first time.

Burton's 2007 pitching staff led the TranSouth Conference in five statistical categories, and the 2008 staff led the conference in four categories. Trojan hurlers broke three school records in 2007 and two in 2008.

Several Trojans hurlers have earned honors under Burton's mentoring the last two seasons. Luke Brown (All-TranSouth and Region-XI First Team) who led the NAIA (2007) in wins (16) and set the TNU record for wins in a season. Eric Van Slyke, who signed as a non-drafted free agent with the Kansas City Royals, was named the TranSouth, Region-XI and National Pitcher of the Week on several occasions during his TNU career. Steven Brown set the Trevecca career and season record for saves. He was named All-Region XI and All-TranSouth for his efforts. Nick Shoup was named first team All-TranSouth, and Wesley Griggs was named second team. Griggs earned the Region-XI and TranSouth Pitcher of the Week honor this season. Freshman Ben Johnson was named TranSouth Pitcher of the Week.

Burton has been a successful summer league coach. He spent the 2007 and 2008 summer s coaching a Sandlott Wood Bat League team named the Nashville Trojans. The 2007 team captured the regular season crown (23-13 record), won the National League title, and placed third in the Sandlott Tournament. The 2008 team won the Sandlott Tournament. Burton's 18 U summer teams (2003-2005) have a combined 111-63 record with two league championships (2005) and have 20 players in collegiate baseball. His 2008 team is 12-6 and in first place.

Jonathan resides in Nashville, Tenn.

Office Phone: 615.248.1289

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Phillip Campbell, the former Murfreesboro (Tenn.) Riverdale High School and Middle Tennessee State University player, begins his first season with the Trojans after serving one season as an assistant at Northwest-Shoals Community College in Muscle Shoals, Ala.

Head coach Jonathan Burton says, "We are extremely excited to have Phillip join our staff. He brings a great work ethic and extraordinary energy that will be contagious to our team. His knowledge of the game will be valuable in a number of ways for our hitters and infielders. Coach Campbell is a welcome addition to the Trevecca Baseball program."

Coach Campbell spent the 2008 season on the NWSCC where he served as assistant baseball coach and recruiting coordinator for the nationally ranked Patriots. The team won the Alabama Community College Conference regular season championship and finished third in the regional tournament. Their season ended with a 44-16 record. They were nationally ranked and broke seven team and six individual season records and two career records. Five players were named All-Conference, two were named All-Region and two made All-Tournament. Twelve players have signed scholarships with four-year institutions.

His focus was coaching the infielders and hitters. He also maintained the playing facility and assisted with fundraising, recruiting, and making travel accommodations.

Prior to joining the NWSCC Coach Campbell spent six years as an assistant coach on the high schools in Tennessee. Twenty-two of the players he coached advanced to play at the collegiate level. He has already seen one of his former players advance to the professional ranks.

His first two years in coaching were under Coach Craig Reavis at LaVergne (Tenn.) High School. In his first year with the Wolverines they won the 2002 TSSAA Class 3A State Championship.

In 2004 he signed on to help develop the newly started program at Seigel (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) High School baseball program. The 2005 team advanced to the regional level and saw tremendous growth in facilities and play during his stay there.

He played his college baseball at Middle Tennessee State University. The 2000 Blue Raider team won the Ohio Valley Conference championship and the nationally ranked 2001 team won the Sun Belt Conference championship. Both of those championship teams advanced to regional play. He was a middle infielder and third baseman.

Since the 2000 season Campbell has assisted the MTSU program with their summer baseball camps and professional showcases. He has served in a number of roles including camp instructor, dorm director, and player evaluations.

His prep career was spent at Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The four-year starter for the Warriors graduated in 1997.

Aaron Smith, in his third season as an assistant coach at Trevecca, coaches the catchers, hitters, and base runners and assists with the recruiting efforts.

 

The Trojan offensive effort was strong again in 2008. The team ranked in the NAIA Top 10 in triples and doubles per game. Trevecca led the TranSouth Athletic Conference in batting average and slugging percentage while placing second in runs scored, hits per game, runs batted in, and stolen bases all under the tutelage of Smith.

 

Along with the duties on the field, Coach Smith develops the weights and conditioning programs for all the players. The programs are position-specific and consist of weight training, plyometric exercises, as well as a medicine-ball routine.

 

Prior to coaching at Trevecca, Smith coached at Motlow State Community College and at Riverdale High School. In his one season at Motlow, the Bucks finished third in the TJCCAA conference regular season and made it to the semi-finals of the state tournament. Prior to coaching at Motlow, Smith assisted at Riverdale High School for two seasons, serving as head coach for the freshman team and as a varsity assistant in charge of outfielders and hitters. In 2005 Riverdale finished 30-12 and earned a berth in the AAA State Tournament.

 

Coach Smith played at Motlow State Community College. Under the direction of hitting coach Ricky Morris, Smith hit .380 his sophomore season and finished in the top 10 in batting average in the TJCCAA.

 

Smith graduated with a degree in business administration from Middle Tennessee State University in 2005. In 2008 Coach Smith completed his MBE in business education also at MTSU.

 

In October 2008 Coach Smith married the former Lindsey Dykes, and they reside in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Former Trojan Eric House will serve as the teams' graduate assistant for the second year in 2009. Under head coach Jonathan Burton, House will continue to work with the outfielders, work advanced scouting and recruiting.

"Eric has been wonderful in this role over the last year. He is passionate about the game of baseball, is a great communicator, and has a great relationship with our players," said Coach Burton. "His impact as a player was significant and has produced the same result in his m ove to coaching. Eric has been a huge part of our program as a player and now as a member of the coaching staff."

House started his college career at Jackson State Community College before transferring to Trevecca. As a senior House hit .348 for the Trojans with 29 runs scored, 12 doubles, a triple, 41 RBI, and was successful on eight of 14 stolen base attempts. As a junior House hit .305 with 27 runs scored, eight doubles, two triples, two home runs, and had 30 RBI. As a junior, House was successful on eight of nine stolen base attempts. On his career House was successful on 16 of 23 stolen base attempts.

The Old Hickory, Tennessee native began his Masters of Business Administration degree in August of 2007. House graduated with a degree in Business Administration from Trevecca in 2007.