Former MTSU baseball coach Jim McGuire is back on the field after being named the new Vol State head coach.

McGuire coached the Blue Raiders from 2012-18 after former coach Steve Peterson retired. He was part of the program since 1993 as an assistant head coach until 2012.

MTSU did not renew McGuire’s contract after the 2018 season and he served as director of baseball operations at Hit and Hit Baseball Academy in Nashville.

“I am delighted to be back on the field and in varsity baseball and varsity track,” said McGuire. “I’ve been there my whole life. I felt like it was a really good opportunity. As I did my research, it worked out really well.”

McGuire said he looks forward to playing in the top junior college leagues in the country.

“It’s solid from top to bottom with great coaches in every location,” he said. “It’s as competitive as any (league) like there is in the county. Walters State and Dyersburg State were in the top 25 this year. Every job has its challenges, but they have a great tradition and the opportunity to be right on top of the league. “

Flight State is a member of the Tennessee Junior and Community College Athletic Association.

“Jim will be a great addition to our baseball program and the athletic department as a whole,” said Vol State athletic director Bobby Hudson. “He has connections to high school coaches, four-year-old coaches and players in the Middle Tennessee and Southeast region.

“We had over 100 applicants for the position and the committee had difficult decisions to make due to the quality of the applicants. We felt that with Jim’s experience and knowledge he would be a perfect fit for the job. “