Mike Twardoski, head coach of the Emory University Baseball program, has officially announced his retirement following a tenure of 25 years at the position. Twardoski, who guided the Eagles to six Division III World Series appearances and won 12 University Athletic Association championships, will officially retire on July 31.
Bobby Perez, who has been a member of the coaching staff for 16 seasons and currently serves as Associate Head Coach, is set to be promoted and will begin his duties as head coach starting August 1, 2024.
Twardoski became the third head coach in team history when he took over head coaching duties in 2000 and transformed Emory into one of the titans within the Division III baseball landscape. The Eagles under his leadership went to 11 NCAA tournaments, captured six regional titles, and reached the national championship series twice, finishing as the national runner-up in both 2007 and 2014.
He mentored nine ABCA/d3baseball.com All-Americans and saw two players claim Rawlings Gold Glove awards under his watch. His players won nine UAA MVP honors, six UAA Rookie of the Years, and earned 56 All-Region selections. Furthermore, four players were selected in the MLB Draft.
Twardoski's teams won 20 or more games in all but one non-COVID shortened season including nine seasons with 30 or more victories. The 2004 and 2007 squads crossed the 40-win mark with the 2007 team setting a school record with 43 wins. He compiled an overall record of 675-335-2 with his win total representing the second-most in Emory history, for any sport, and at the time of his retirement is 27th amongst active Division III head coaches and is tied for 81st all-time in DIII history. He was honored as the d3baseball.com Regional Coach of the Year in both 2000 and 2016, and won the same award presented by ABCA/Diamond in 2016.
Perez has been by Twardoski's side for 381 of those victories and helped the team secure seven UAA championships and six NCAA tournament berths, guiding the program to three consecutive trips to the College World Series from 2014-16. Twardoski and Perez have been part of three UAA Coaching Staffs of the Year in 2016, 2022 and 2023 and stewarded the team to a conference record 13 wins in 2023.
Before starting his coaching career, Twardoski was a standout performer at the University of Alabama where he won the Southeastern Conference batting title in 1986. He went on to play 10 seasons of professional baseball within the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets and Atlanta Braves organizations and was tabbed as the Pawtucket Red Sox (Boston AAA affiliate) Team MVP in 1990 and 1992. After ending his playing career in 1995, he created and operated the East Coast Baseball Academy before becoming the assistant coach at Emory in 1999.
Perez played collegiately at the University of Louisville as well as at South Florida State College. After graduating from UL, he served as volunteer assistant coach for the Cardinals while he worked to complete his master's degree. He joined the Emory coaching staff for one season in 2006 before spending two seasons on the staff at Georgia State University. He would rejoin the Eagles prior to the 2009 season.
STATEMENTS AND REMARKS
Statement from Mike Twardoski
It has been an absolute honor to serve as the Head Baseball Coach at Emory for the past 25 years. I will remember all of the achievements on the field, but am prouder looking back, of the accomplishments of my players off the field. I cannot be more proud that Emory has elected to elevate Bobby to head coach. Coach P has been by my side for more than 15 years, and I am very confident that our program will not only stay in the same successful direction, but he will take our team to new heights.
I would like to thank Chuck Gordon for taking a chance in 2000. He truly gave a young coach direction to coach in an environment where being a student-athlete truly matters. I also want to extend a thank you to Keiko Price. In the brief time I have had to work alongside her, she has shown herself to be a great advocate for our student-athletes but more importantly, she has become a true mentor and friend of mine.
Finally, to my assistant coaches, head coaches and our administration, THANK YOU! For your friendships, and for making Emory University a true destination place for me and my family.
Statement from Bobby Perez
Coach T's impact on the Emory Baseball program is immeasurable. His success on the field speaks for itself – the wins, UAA titles, NCAA tournament appearances, and trips to the Division III World Series. Beyond that, the culture of family and belonging that all the players, alumni, and parents feel being a part of the program is his biggest accomplishment. It has been my pleasure to have been in the dugout with him for the last 16 seasons and experience what he had built at Emory. His legacy on the University and program will last forever.
I am honored to be chosen as the next head coach. Mike has taken the program to great heights, and I look forward to continuing the great traditions of Emory Baseball. I am thankful that I am entrusted by Coach T, Keiko, and so many within the athletic department at Emory to take this great program. I would also like to thank my family, Crissie, Tate and Sloan for all their support and love. I am extremely excited to work with our student-athletes, staff, alumni and families to build upon the amazing foundation that Coach T has built.
Emory University Associate Vice President of Campus Life/Clyde Partin Sr., Director of Athletics Keiko Price
Emory baseball would not be what it is today without Mike's pioneering work. He has been devoted to this campus and our athletic department for almost a quarter of a century and a servant to all the student-athletes who have come through his program. An energetic and positive teacher, mentor, and leader, Mike's impact is unmatched. A true testament to the deep impact and legacy he has here at Emory is the support and admiration of his alumni base. On behalf of the entire Emory community, I want to say he will truly be missed.
I am excited for the future of Emory baseball under the leadership of Bobby Perez. I can think if no one who cares more about our baseball program and Emory University than Bobby and I am confident he will continue to lead our program to unprecedented success. With extensive experience here at Emory, Bobby understands the culture of our department and baseball program. I have no doubt he creates his own path towards excellence for our program.
Emory University Men's Basketball Head Coach Jason Zimmerman
The energy and passion Coach T has used to lead Emory Basrball the last 25 years has been special. The wins, NCAA appearances, and championships speak for themselves but what stands out the most is his relationships with his players, his coaching staff and members of the Emory Athletics department. Congrats on a great run! We have all been blessed to be able to work with Mike.
Bobby has been a key part of the team's success and relationship building. It will be exciting to watch Bobby continue to set the standard for the baseball program. I have no doubt that Emory Baseball is in great hands.
Former Emory University Baseball Student-Athlete (1999-2002) and Assistant Coach (2002-08) Ethan Solomon
Coach T created such a positive environment for the baseball program. His energy and enthusiasm for the sport and for every player that's come through it is so tangible. Having played for and coached with him over a 10-year period, I attribute so many of my own accomplishments in baseball and in my professional career to the experiences I had with Emory Baseball. I look forward to the tradition at Emory continuing, but it's important that we recognize the hard work and dedication T poured into the program to establish it.
Former Emory University Baseball Student-Athlete (2004-07) and President & Founder of Glushon Sports Management, Jason Glushon
Coach T was more than just a baseball coach as he taught us so many life lessons that remain prevalent in our personal and professional lives that continue to breed success. The relationships he built into the Emory Baseball family make it the strongest alumni program on campus because of his ability to bring everyone together, and every alumni is forever lucky and forever grateful for all he has done for our careers and lives.