Former MCC Coach Named Head Baseball Coach at Notre Dame

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Former Manchester Community College head baseball coach Mik Aoki has been named the 20th head baseball coach in University of Notre Dame program history.

A 1990 graduate of Davidson College with a degree in English, Aoki led the Cougars to a 9-15 record in 1992. The Plymouth, MA native who was born in Yokohama Japan lived with then-MCC Athletic Director Pat Mistretta and wife Nancy in his only season in Manchester.

“I’m not surprised that he landed a quality Division I job,” Mistretta, who still hears from Aoki several times a year, said. “Mik laid out his plan, which was to coach at the DI level, which he already accomplished. He has everything necessary to succeed at that level.”
Aoki earned a master’s degree from Ohio University in 1994 and is married with three children.
“Mik has all the characteristics that were imperative for us in the search for a new head baseball coach,” said Notre Dame athletics director Jack Swarbrick. “He is not only recognized as a top-notch recruiter, but also understands the value of top-caliber student-athletes, both on the field and in the classroom.”

Aoki, 41, was the head coach at Boston College from 2007-10, leading the Eagles to their first NCAA Regional appearance since 1967 with a 34-26 record in 2009.

“I am so excited about the opportunity to be the next head baseball coach at the University of Notre Dame,” said Aoki. “Notre Dame possesses the perfect combination of academics and athletics.”

Aoki was introduced at a 2:00 p.m. Tuesday (7/13/10) press conference in the Joyce Center Monogram Room.

Aoki has coached 28 Major League Baseball draft picks since his arrival at Boston College in 2004. Three of those draft picks have been first-round selections in Mike Belfiore, Chris Lambert and Tony Sanchez. In addition, 16 of those 28 picks have been pitchers and two (Lambert, Joe Martinez) have reached the Major League level.

Prior to being named Boston College head coach Aoki, spent three seasons (2004-06) as pitching coach for the Eagles.

Aoki spent five years (1999-2003) as Columbia head coach, leading the Lions to an 87-140 mark during that span. His teams won 20 or more games in each of his last three seasons. Before the Aoki era, the Lions had not posted a 20-win season since 1987.

Before assuming his duties at Columbia, Aoki spent four years (1995-98) as assistant coach at Dartmouth. In that position, he focused his efforts on the team’s infielders and hitters, while also serving as the program’s recruiting coordinator.

He began his coaching career in 1992 as head coach at MCC, followed by two seasons (1993-94) as an assistant coach at Ohio University.

Special thanks to Notre Dame Sports Information Director Michael Bertsch.

for a more indepth look at Aoki’s career visit: http://www.und.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/071310aac.html