Baseball | 8/20/2024 11:43:00 AM
MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- DJ Price had the interim tag removed as he becomes the seventh head coach in Buccaneer baseball history, director of athletics & recreation Dr. Scott Smith announced today.
"As I've searched for our next skipper the past two months, I've spoken to fellow ADs, current and former coaches, and alums and I found that we have one of the best baseball coaches and recruiters right here on our staff," Smith said. "DJ Price has been a huge part of our on-field success, helping bring in the top recruiting classes that includes a 35-player developmental team, and competing at the highest level in the SSC with the varsity. He has played an invaluable role in our academic student success rate on the baseball team and in strengthening our relationship with professional scouts. He has also been instrumental in growing our fundraising footprint for the program.
"As I spoke with him about his candidacy, I continued to be impressed with his vision, passion, and long-term commitment to the Barry University baseball program. He genuinely understands the next step to our continued success is strengthening our connections with our devoted baseball alums and the local South Florida baseball community. I look forward to working with the University community, our outstanding alums, and our friends in the local area to create an environment for DJ, his staff, and the baseball team to thrive going forward."
Price joined the program in the fall of 2020 as a volunteer assistant coach, became a full-time assistant and the head coach for the junior varsity Bucs in the spring of 2022 and now assumes the helm of the varsity program.
While leading the JV Bucs, he led them to a winning record each of his three seasons, compiling a 41-19-1 record with the program. The team averaged over eight runs per game, while posting a 2.93 ERA. Price helped develop a number of players who advanced up from the JV program to make an impact with the varsity, including Freddy Rodriguez who earned Second-Team All-SSC in the spring.
"I want to thank Dr. (Mike) Allen and Dr. Smith, as well as all of the staff who took part in the hiring process," Price said. "For the past four seasons, it's been an honor to be a part of this program and personally develop and grow within it to see it raised to new heights. I feel the sky is the limit. I expect big things, both on and off the field, from both players and alumni.
"I feel like the ultimate goal hasn't been achieved yet, although we keep getting closer and closer every year. Bringing back some key players and the addition of new ones, I feel like we have the opportunity to get to that ultimate goal this year. But, I fully expect us to be competitive every day that I'm here, both in the SSC and the country."
Additionally, Price played a key role in 2023 as the Bucs won the NCAA South Region 2 Tournament and advanced to the Super Regional for the first time, finishing 35-19 and 16-14 in the Sunshine State Conference.
As the co-recruiting coordinator, Price helped bring in the class this fall which is ranked first in NCAA Division II by Perfect Game. Barry ranked second in 2022 and first again in 2023.
The Bucs are coming off a 28-22 campaign, in which they finished 16-14 in the SSC for the second straight year. The pinnacle of the season was an 11-1 win over eventual national champs Tampa, who only lost five games all year.
Assistant coach Dean Kanganis will take over as the head of the JV program, while the Bucs will begin the search for another assistant.
