Mike Sheppard

From BR Bullpen

Michael Sheppard
(Shep)

Biographical Information[edit]

Mike Sheppard was a longtime college coach.

Sheppard was offered a contract by the Chicago Cubs out of high school. He turned it down and starred in baseball, swimming and soccer at Seton Hall. He dislocated both shoulders in college, ending his professional hopes. He joined the Marines in 1958 after college.

Mike became an assistant at St. Benedict's Prep in Newark when he left the military and later was an assistant at Barringer High School and Our Lady of the Valley High School. In 1965, he became head coach of Vailsburg High School, taking them to a state title.

In 1973, Sheppard succeeded his former coach, Owen Carroll, as head coach at Seton Hall University. He held the position for 31 years, winning 998 games. He took his teams to the 1974 College World Series and 1975 College World Series. Mike helped develop Rick Cerone, Craig Biggio, Mo Vaughn, Matt Morris and John Valentin.

When he retired as coach, Sheppard was succeeded by one of his sons, Rob Sheppard.

Sheppard was known as a demanding coach, though he did soften in later years after positive feedback from former player Dana Brown.

Primary Source: The Hit Men and the Kid Who Batted Ninth by David Siroty

Year-by-Year Coaching Record[edit]

Year School Overall Record Conference Record Notes
1973 Seton Hall University 22-8 12-4 CWS District Tournaments
1974 Seton Hall University 33-10-1 14-2 CWS District Tournaments / CWS
1975 Seton Hall University 32-10 8-4 CWS Regionals / CWS
1976 Seton Hall University 33-17-1 CWS Regionals
1977 Seton Hall University 37-14 13-3 CWS Regionals
1978 Seton Hall University 24-13 8-5
1979 Seton Hall University 32-11-1 14-1 CWS Regionals
1980 Seton Hall University 25-12-1
1981 Seton Hall University 33-11
1982 Seton Hall University 41-13 16-0 CWS Regionals
1983 Seton Hall University 34-15 20-5
1984 Seton Hall University 41-13 18-4 CWS Regionals
1985 Seton Hall University 44-19-1 15-3 Big East
1986 Seton Hall University 32-26 13-5 Big East
1987 Seton Hall University 45-10 16-2 Big East / CWS Regionals
1988 Seton Hall University 39-16 12-6 Big East
1989 Seton Hall University 33-19-1 16-2 Big East
1990 Seton Hall University 35-18 16-4 Big East
1991 Seton Hall University 26-19-1 10-9
1992 Seton Hall University 28-27 14-7 Big East
1993 Seton Hall University 30-18 12-8 Big East
1994 Seton Hall University 32-21-1 12-8 Big East
1995 Seton Hall University 38-16 14-7 Big East
1996 Seton Hall University 18-27-1 5-17-1
1997 Seton Hall University 32-22 13-11 Big East
1998 Seton Hall University 25-23 12-10 Big East
1999 Seton Hall University 31-19-1 14-11 Big East
2000 Seton Hall University 40-18 18-7 Big East / CWS Regionals
2001 Seton Hall University 34-23-1 14-11-1 Big East / CWS Regionals
2002 Seton Hall University 25-28 11-15
2003 Seton Hall University 23-24 11-14

Related Sites[edit]