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Canes Baseball Find Their Man In Coral Gables

The University of Miami has hired J.D. Arteaga as head baseball coach, Vice President/Director of Athletics Dan Radakovich announced Monday.

Arteaga, the 10th head baseball coach in Miami history, has spent the past 21 seasons on the Hurricanes’ coaching staff, most recently serving as associate head coach and pitching coach. He is one of the most decorated pitchers in UM history, helping the Hurricanes reach the College World Series four straight seasons from 1994-97.

“We are excited to introduce J.D. as the new head baseball coach for the Miami Hurricanes,” Radakovich said. “I believe J.D. is the right leader at the right time for this storied program. He appreciates what makes Miami one of the crown jewels of college baseball, while also recognizing what is required to keep adding to that legacy.”

During his coaching career in Coral Gables, Arteaga has helped Miami earn 18 NCAA Tournament appearances and reach the College World Series six times.

“This is truly a dream come true,” said Arteaga. “Growing up in Miami, playing for the Hurricanes and coaching in the orange and green the last 21 seasons has meant the world to me. I’m beyond privileged to lead one of the most historic programs in college baseball and add to our storied tradition. I want to thank Joe Echevarria, Rudy Fernandez, Dan Radakovich and the administration for this opportunity of a lifetime.”

Arteaga, who was inducted into the UM Sports Hall of Fame in 2007, has tutored 46 pitchers who were selected in the MLB First-Year Player Draft. Since 2004, the Hurricanes have had a hurler chosen in 19 straight seasons.

He has instructed 19 All-ACC honorees, 12 All-Americans and 12 Freshmen All-Americans.

Over the last five years, Arteaga has played a pivotal role in the Hurricanes finishing as one of the top teams in the ACC, as Miami has posted the best conference winning percentage (.617) and the second-best overall winning percentage (.661).

This past season, he coached an All-American pitcher for the fourth straight season, as right-handed closer Andrew Walters earned national acclaim for the second consecutive year.

DiMare Is Done

Gino DiMare announced Thursday that he is stepping down as the head coach of the University of Miami baseball program.

DiMare served as the Hurricanes’ head coach for the past five seasons, compiling a record of 168-86 and advancing to the NCAA Tournament in all four years the tournament was held.

“After evaluating this past season and talking extensively with my family, I have decided it is in my best interests and the best interests of the program to step away as head coach,” DiMare said. “I would like to thank President Frenk and Dan Radakovich for their support, and Blake James for giving me the opportunity to become the head coach at Miami. I want to thank my coaches and staff for all their hard work, and especially the players – the relationships I have built with them are something I will cherish forever.”

DiMare’s 24 years as a member of the Miami baseball staff included 21 postseason appearances, 10 College World Series appearances and two national championships. The Hurricanes won 42 games this past season – their most since 2016 – and hosted an NCAA regional in Coral Gables for the second straight year. Twelve Hurricanes were selected in the Major League Baseball Draft during DiMare’s tenure as head coach and 15 of his student-athletes earned ACC All-Academic honors.

A native of Miami, DiMare was a standout outfielder for the Canes under Ron Fraser from 1989-92. He returned to UM in 1997 as a volunteer coach. He later served as assistant head coach and associate head coach before succeeding Jim Morris as the ninth head baseball coach in Miami history in 2019.

“I am grateful to Coach Fraser for giving me the opportunity to play here and Coach Morris for giving me the chance to start my vocation here,” DiMare said. “I am fortunate to say I have spent more than half my life as a player or coach at the University of Miami. I will always be a Hurricanes fan and wish this program continued success.”

“I want to thank Gino for his dedication to Miami baseball over the last 24 years,” Vice President/Director of Athletics Dan Radakovich said. “He is a great ambassador for our program both on and off the field. I wish Gino and his family all the best in their next chapter, and he will always be a member of the Hurricane Family. We will begin the search for a new head coach immediately.”

Another Great Season With A Disappointing Ending

The University of Miami baseball team’s 2023 campaign came to a close Sunday evening, as the top-seeded Hurricanes fell to the second-seeded Texas Longhorns, 10-6, at Mark Light Field.

The Hurricanes (42-21) grabbed an early 3-0 lead, but Texas (41-20) put up a nine spot in the third and never looked back to clinch a super-regional berth.

After Miami starter Ronaldo Gallo set down the first seven batters he faced, the Longhorns flipped the script.

Texas tallied nine runs on seven hits, capped off by designated hitter Jalin Flores’ grand slam.

Miami standout Yohandy Morales clobbered a three-run homer in the seventh to bring the Hurricanes within one swing.

Morales’ 20^th home run of the year and 49^th blast of his career pushed the Miami native into fourth all-time in program history. The seventh-inning round-tripper also marked his 237^th career hit, which sits 10^th all-time.

Additionally, the junior’s 98 hits and .408 batting average finished sixth and seventh, respectively, in a single season.

Texas reliever Charlie Hurley (5-0) picked up the win after tossing 4 1/3 innings, while Gallo (2-4) was tagged with the loss.

Following the season finale, Morales, sophomore southpaw Rafe Schlesinger and freshman Blake Cyr were named to the 2023 NCAA Coral Gables Regional All-Tournament Team.

To keep up with the University of Miami baseball team on social media, follow @CanesBaseball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.