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The University of Dayton welcomed Brian Harrison as an assistant coach on July 5, 2007. Harrison joins the Flyer baseball program after serving as the head coach at Urbana University for three seasons. Harrison's responsibilities on Coach Vittorio's bench include serving as a recruiting coordinator, hitting coach and outfield coach.
"I am excited about Coach Harrison joining our staff at The University of Dayton," UD Head Coach Tony Vittorio said. "He brings a great amount of baseball knowledge to our program along with what I feel is outstanding passion for the game of baseball as well as recruiting great players. His track record at his last two stops speaks for itself. His work ethic and loyalty was definitely noticed."
Last season, the Flyers won a school record 38 games, including 21 Atlantic 10 games to capture their first regular season championship in school history. The 2009 squad broke a number of records including single-season tallies in batting average (.332), runs (448), hits (665), RBI's (419), doubles (143) and homeruns (77). Dayton's offensive attack led the conference in nearly offensive category, finishing just shy of the conference triple crown.
Dayton finished the season ranked 11th in the nation in doubles, 17th in slugging percentage, 21st in batting average, 38th in homeruns and 13th in hit by pitches,. Under Harrison's tutelage, Jimmy Roesinger, Scott Dunwoody and Jacob Spaeth excelled and were selected as A-10 First Team selections. Roesinger led the conference in batting average hitting .523 during conference play. Senior Max Navalinki, a lifetime .266 hitter at UD, had a breakout year hitting .358 with 16 doubles and 8 homeruns to earn second team conference honors.
In 2008, Harrison implemented his team offensive hitting approach that is centered around strike zone awareness, barrel control, disciplined aggressiveness and quality at bats. With Harrison's offensive philosophy, the team improved in nearly every offensive statistical category with all of the returning players in the lineup enjoyed their best season in a Flyer uniform. Harrison's influence was instrumental in helping outfielder Kevin Miller's banner year. Miller finished his senior season with the seventh-best batting average in the Atlantic 10, hitting .362 (Miller hit .167 in his career). Cole Tyrell also saw an increase in his batting average from .215 to .305 that season.
During the summer of 2007, Coach Harrison took his coaching ability to the professional level as he served as the hitting coach for the Chillicothe Paints in the Frontier League. The Paints finished the season 47-49 and capturing second in the East Division. Harrison worked with veteran shortstop Travis Garcia to produce one of his best years as at the professional level, earning Most Valuable Player honors in the Frontier League.
Prior to his time at Dayton, Harrison took over direction of the NAIA Urbana Blue Knights. After going 7-43 in 2005, Harrison transformed the program in his second year as manager, finishing the season with a 37-21 record and a second place finish in the American Mideast Conference' South Division . Harrison was named AMC South Division Coach of the Year, after the Blue Knights finished fourth at the Region IX Tournament in 2006, completing one of the greatest single-season turnarounds in college baseball history.
The 2007 season saw much of the same as the Blue Knights finished with an impressive 32-21 record. This marked the fourth time in five years as a head coach that Harrison's teams amassed 30 or more wins in a season.
Prior to Urbana, Harrison was head coach at Cuyahoga Community College. In his first season at the helm, the 2003 Challengers came within one victory of the school record and had their first winning season in eight years. The team improved its win total from 16 in 2002 to 35 in 2003 and set 15 school records along the way. In addition, had three players were nominated First Team All-Conference and finished as district runners-up. Harrison's influence was vital in helping eight players receive a scholarship to a four year university.
Before coaching, Harrison played at Shawnee State University, where he amassed more than 40 home runs and 200 RBI. He earned All-America honors after leading the Bears to a fifth place finish at the 2000 NAIA College World Series in Lewiston, Idaho.
Harrison continued his playing career in the pro ranks for the Evansville Otters of the Frontier Independent Baseball League before an arm injury sidelined him during his second season
Harrison was inducted into the Shawnee State University Hall of Fame in the Winter of 2008. He also served as an associate scout for the Cincinnati Reds Baseball Organization from 2004-2005.
Coach Harrison, his wife Traci and their son Braden reside in Fairborn, Ohio.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT BRIAN HARRISON "In my MVP season of 2007, no one had a bigger influence on my approach to hitting than Brian Harrison. Having played in the New York Mets organization for 3 years, I had a chance to work with all types of hitting coaches and instructors, none in which ever brought out the most of my ability like Coach Harrison. As for a one on one instruction, Brian is on a whole other plain. Never has someone shown an understanding on a personal and professional level to hitting as he showed with me on a daily basis. He is by far one of the best and smartest baseball personalities that I have come across in my six years of professional baseball." - Travis Garcia
"Throughout my years at the University of Dayton, I went through several hitting coaches. Coach Harrison is without a doubt the best hitting coach I've ever had. Through countless hours of studying an individual's swing, he has the ability to match a player's strengths with their style of play and develop the most efficient swing possible. Additionally, Coach Harrison also focuses a great deal on the mental aspect of baseball. Combined, he gives each player the capability to exceed their given potential and make the most of their time as a Flyer. Coach Harrison will continually give the University of Dayton baseball program a competitive advantage through his immense effort, dedication, and daily preparation." - Kevin Miller
"Brian exudes not only passion for the game of baseball but working with kids to be the best they can be. Brian is not only an exceptional teacher but his track record as a recruiter is evident over the course of his coaching career. As a scout I see a lot of kids enter college and when you see them continually improve it is a reflection of not only their individual ability but the instruction that they receive. To me that is a sign of solid fundamental coaching and you see that with the entire University of Dayton Baseball program including Brian. It is nice to see the continuity within the coaching staff which I feel will pay dividends for years to come." - Derrick Ross "Coach Harrison has made his mark as a collegiate level baseball coach with one simple philosophy in mind; he deeply cares about his student-athletes. With the true belief in the development of an individuals core attributes, that of mind, body, and soul, Brian has dedicated countless hours to the betterment of others which naturally has transcended into his success on the baseball field." - Doug Young |
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