A Strategic Hire for Eastern Michigan
Eastern Michigan University is moving forward with a new addition to its baseball coaching staff, tapping former Texas Tech assistant coach Steve Merriman for a role that could reshape the program’s pitching development.
Merriman, who spent a single season as Texas Tech’s director of pitching development, announced his resignation last week after the Red Raiders posted a 27‑28 record and a 7.92 earned‑run average that left the staff underperforming. His departure comes after a tenure that also included a stint as a pitching coach at the University of Michigan, where he built strong ties to the state.
The hiring aligns with the appointment of Trevor Beerman, who was promoted to head coach after serving as interim leader during a season that ended with a 19‑34 record. Beerman, now in his first full term, has indicated that Merriman will bring a fresh approach to the Eagles’ mound strategy.
Both campuses sit within a short distance of each other — Eastern Michigan’s main site in Ypsilanti lies just under ten miles from the University of Michigan’s Ann Arbor campus — making Merriman’s regional connections a practical asset for recruiting and continuity.
While the university has confirmed that the pitching position will be filled, officials noted that the new hire may oversee duties that differ from traditional coaching roles, reflecting a broader shift in how the program plans to approach player development.