Eastern Michigan Athletics
EMU Baseball Legend Roger Coryell Passes Away
4/6/2018 9:58:00 AM | Baseball
He spent 40 years of his life as a player and coach for EMU baseball
Photo Gallery Through the Years.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Former Eastern Michigan University baseball player, coach, and E-Club Hall of Famer Roger Coryell passed away Thursday, April 5, at the age of 71. Coryell dedicated 40 years of his life as a player, assistant, and later head coach for EMU baseball, where he finished as the second-winningest coach in program history.
Coryell completed his 20-year head coaching career in 2007 with 544 wins, sitting only behind his friend and mentor, legendary head coach Ron Oestrike in career wins. Coryell also had 300 Mid-American Conference wins, the most by an EMU coach all-time. Under his leadership, Coryell led EMU to a MAC West title in 2002, a regular season championship in 2007, and a MAC tournament title and NCAA Regional berth in 2003. He was named the MAC Coach of the Year in 2002 and 2007 as well being named to the EMU Hall of Fame in 2004.
"This is a sad day for Eastern Michigan University, our baseball program and the baseball community in southeastern Michigan," EMU Interim Head Coach Eric Roof said. "Roger will forever be one of the pillars in the history of EMU baseball. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and everyone who had the special opportunity to be able to call him coach."
Under his tutelage as both an assistant and head coach, Coryell guided over 80 players into the professional ranks, including numerous big leaguers; Brian Bixler, Bryan Clutterbuck, Glenn Gulliver, Chris Hoiles, John Martin, Bob Owchinko, Ron Rightnowar, Pat Sheridan, Matt Shoemaker, Bob Welch and Mickey Weston. He also coached six All-Americans, two MAC Players of the Year, three MAC Pitchers of the Year, and countless numbers of all-conference and academic all-conference selections.
A native of DeWitt, Mich., Coryell began his career as a pitcher for EMU while earning three letters from 1968-70. He was a member of the 1970 team that won the NAIA national title and was the starting pitcher in the championship game. After his college career he was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates, but a shoulder injury ended his professional baseball career.
A 1971 graduate of EMU, Coryell returned to his alma mater in 1972 as the top assistant coach to Oestrike and became head coach in 1987 when Oestrike announced his retirement. During his 16 years as an assistant coach, the team enjoyed great success during that period, making two appearances in the College World Series, finishing second in the nation in 1976 and fifth in 1975.
After retiring at the helm of EMU baseball, Coryell spent the last years of his life as a regional scout with the Texas Rangers organization, focusing on Michigan and Ohio. He was named the Rangers' Scout of the Year following the 2014 season.
Funeral information is still pending and will be provided as it becomes available.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Former Eastern Michigan University baseball player, coach, and E-Club Hall of Famer Roger Coryell passed away Thursday, April 5, at the age of 71. Coryell dedicated 40 years of his life as a player, assistant, and later head coach for EMU baseball, where he finished as the second-winningest coach in program history.
Coryell completed his 20-year head coaching career in 2007 with 544 wins, sitting only behind his friend and mentor, legendary head coach Ron Oestrike in career wins. Coryell also had 300 Mid-American Conference wins, the most by an EMU coach all-time. Under his leadership, Coryell led EMU to a MAC West title in 2002, a regular season championship in 2007, and a MAC tournament title and NCAA Regional berth in 2003. He was named the MAC Coach of the Year in 2002 and 2007 as well being named to the EMU Hall of Fame in 2004.
"This is a sad day for Eastern Michigan University, our baseball program and the baseball community in southeastern Michigan," EMU Interim Head Coach Eric Roof said. "Roger will forever be one of the pillars in the history of EMU baseball. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and everyone who had the special opportunity to be able to call him coach."
Under his tutelage as both an assistant and head coach, Coryell guided over 80 players into the professional ranks, including numerous big leaguers; Brian Bixler, Bryan Clutterbuck, Glenn Gulliver, Chris Hoiles, John Martin, Bob Owchinko, Ron Rightnowar, Pat Sheridan, Matt Shoemaker, Bob Welch and Mickey Weston. He also coached six All-Americans, two MAC Players of the Year, three MAC Pitchers of the Year, and countless numbers of all-conference and academic all-conference selections.
A native of DeWitt, Mich., Coryell began his career as a pitcher for EMU while earning three letters from 1968-70. He was a member of the 1970 team that won the NAIA national title and was the starting pitcher in the championship game. After his college career he was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates, but a shoulder injury ended his professional baseball career.
A 1971 graduate of EMU, Coryell returned to his alma mater in 1972 as the top assistant coach to Oestrike and became head coach in 1987 when Oestrike announced his retirement. During his 16 years as an assistant coach, the team enjoyed great success during that period, making two appearances in the College World Series, finishing second in the nation in 1976 and fifth in 1975.
After retiring at the helm of EMU baseball, Coryell spent the last years of his life as a regional scout with the Texas Rangers organization, focusing on Michigan and Ohio. He was named the Rangers' Scout of the Year following the 2014 season.
Funeral information is still pending and will be provided as it becomes available.
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