UCSD Tritons head baseball coach Eric Newman has named J.T. Bloodworth a full-time assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. Bloodworth has been on Newman’s staff in a volunteer capacity for the past two seasons. He takes over as the recruiting coordinator and hitting instructor while continuing to direct the Triton defense. He replaces Jonathan Johnston, now top assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Division I UNC Asheville of the Big South Conference in Asheville, N.C.
In 2014, Bloodworth led a Triton defense ranked fifth nationally in the NCAA Division II in fielding percentage and eighth in double plays turned. Picked to place sixth in a preseason poll of California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) head coaches, UCSD finished third in the regular season and won all three of its games at the four-team CCAA championship en route to a record sixth conference tournament banner. The Tritons were 38-16 overall and 26-10 in CCAA play, with a final national rank of No. 14.
Bloodworth, a native of Dallas, is a 2009 graduate of Dallas Baptist University (DBU) with a degree in sport management. He earned his master’s, also in sport management, from the school in 2010. As a student-athlete, Bloodworth spent one season at the University of Arizona in 2004 prior to transferring to DBU and playing for Newman, the Patriot head coach at the time, from 2005 to 2007. His coaching experience has included stops at New Mexico State (2008-11) and Lon Morris College (2012), serving as the recruiting coordinator at the latter school, located in Jacksonville, Texas.
Newman has also former Triton standout Nick La Face to replace Bloodworth. La Face completed his collegiate playing career last May after five years at UCSD as a catcher and designated hitter. He will also aid in the recruiting process and camps, and have field maintenance oversight.
Rob Avila remains the top assistant and pitching coach, with Cory Burleson staying on as an assistant. Burleson and Johnston coached first and third base respectively in 2014, with those designations still to be made by Newman for the 2015 campaign.