Raleigh 'comfortable' with new pitching coach

By News Sentinel staff

Originally published 10:28 p.m., June 23, 2009
Updated 10:28 p.m., June 23, 2009

Jason Beverlin is a relative newcomer to coaching baseball, but he's no stranger to the man who hired him as Tennessee's new pitching coach.

"I've known Jason for 17 years,'' UT coach Todd Raleigh said in a release Tuesday.

"I'm extremely comfortable with his vision and his philosophy.''

Beverlin has coached two seasons at Georgia Southern, following a lengthy playing career that included a season in the major leagues and three years in Japan.

He replaces Fred Corral, who was let go by Raleigh after two seasons.

Raleigh and Beverlin date their friendship back to Western Carolina University, where Raleigh was beginning a coaching career while Beverlin was a standout pitcher.

Beverlin's pitching days ended in 2007, at which point he joined the staff at Georgia Southern.

"It's incredible what he's done at Georgia Southern in such a short period of time,'' Raleigh said. "He brings a wealth of enthusiasm to our program.

"His involvement with professional baseball and college baseball during the past 15 years has really prepared him.''

Beverlin takes over a staff that ranked 11th in the SEC in ERA at 6.24, and 10th in batting average allowed, .290.