The University of Louisville announced Tuesday that former All‑American pitchers Kade McClure and Nick Burdi will join the Cardinals’ baseball coaching staff, bringing a combined decade of professional experience and a championship pedigree.
Building a Championship Pipeline
McClure, a 2016 All‑American who spent eight seasons in the minor leagues before turning to coaching, will serve as the program’s new Pitching Coach. In that capacity he will oversee game preparation, opponent scouting and the recruitment of future arms.
Burdi, a two‑time All‑American and six‑year Major League Baseball veteran, has been named Director of Pitching. His responsibilities will center on player development, analytics and the implementation of data‑driven strategies to refine the staff’s repertoire.
Both hires come as the Cardinals aim to transform the program into a national championship contender. Athletic Director Dan McDonnell highlighted the duo’s complementary skill sets, noting that McClure’s recruiting acumen and Burdi’s analytical focus will complement the existing staff.
Roger Williams, the team’s Pitching Coordinator, will work closely with McClure and Burdi to integrate their approaches with the broader coaching philosophy. The collaboration is expected to accelerate the development of current pitchers and attract top talent from across the country.
The move underscores Louisville’s commitment to leveraging former player expertise to build a sustainable pipeline of talent. With McClure’s roots at Kent State and Mercer, and Burdi’s MLB pedigree, the program hopes to blend collegiate experience with professional rigor.