Gonzalez Joins Baseball Staff Full-Time

MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—Barry University director of athletics Michael L. Covone has announced the hiring of Alex Gonzalez to the Barry University baseball staff. A former Buccaneer player, Gonzalez becomes the first full-time assistant coach in program history.

“We are excited to have Alex Gonzalez join the Barry family and our baseball staff,” Covone said. “His experience and knowledge will help our student-athletes attain their goals, both academically and athletically.”

Gonzalez will serve as the Bucs’ pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. He led the staff last year to the Sunshine State Conference title as the Bucs went 20-4 in the league. Barry topped the circuit in strikeout/walk ratio with 385 strikeouts against just 143 walks in 505.1 innings. The Bucs were ninth in the country in fewest walks allowed, while Brett Hammaker and Corey Witkowski ranked fifth and sixth respectively in fewest walks allowed.

"We are very fortunate to be getting someone like Alex,” Barry head coach Marc Pavao said. “He is a tremendous motivator and teacher of the game. In my opinion, he is one of the best pitching coaches in the country. He helps this program in so many ways not only as a coach and recruiter but also as someone who is a great example for our student/athletes. It was a great day when he committed as a player and now even better as he joins our coaching staff. In just one year with our program, he has changed the face of our pitching staff.”

Prior to joining the Bucs, Gonzalez spent the last years as owner of Evolution Sports Performance; a company which helped athletes enhance performance using ethical means.

Gonzalez enjoyed an outstanding four-year career with the Bucs. He is one of only three pitchers in school history to win 20 games over their career. His senior year was one of the best in the program as he went 9-3 with a 2.36 ERA with 121 strikeouts in 101.0 innings, setting the single-season strikeout record until this past season when Manny Rodriguez broke the record with 126. He was named first-team All-Sunshine State Conference and All-South Region. Gonzalez holds the record for career strikeouts with 285.

Gonzalez signed as a free agent with the Boston Red Sox after his senior year with the Buccaneers and pitched in their minor league system for one year.

He graduated from Barry in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science.