Jamey Shouppe was named head coach for the 2013-14 season in July after former head coach Willie Brown was fired following sexual harassment allegations in January.
Shouppe played baseball at Florida State (1981-82). In 1982 he was drafted in the eighth round to the Houston Astros. He played in the majors for four years.
Shouppe has over 20 years of coaching experience, and he served an associate head coach at FSU. During his tenure at FSU he was in charge of recruiting and was the pitching coach.
“I wanted the chance to be head coach at a D1 (Division I) school and to see how much I have learned as an assistant coach,” Shouppe said.
Shouppe’s background and experience is what his coworkers think will make the FAMU baseball team successful this season.
FAMU Interim Athletic Director Michael Smith said the FAMU baseball culture has already changed thanks to Shouppe and his staff.
“He has recruiting knowledge and he knows the demographics,” Smith said. “He is very hands on.”
Assistant coach Kevin Cleathen said the organization and structure are what will set this season apart from past seasons.
“There’s a structure in place,” Cleathen said. “There are a lot of things in place now that needed to be in place last year.”
FAMU will play their first regular season game on Feb. 14 against the Navy Midshipmen.