HENDERSON, Tenn. - After five years as the head baseball coach at Freed-Hardeman University, Patrick McCarthy has resigned to accept the same position at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Ala.

McCarthy will replace Brent Barker, who spent two years at the helm of the Faulkner program while serving in a dual capacity as the school's Athletic Director.  Barker, who also coached the program from 2001-2005, will continue in his administrative role at the university as McCarthy takes over in the Eagles' dugout.


Faulkner, which competes in the NAIA's Southern States Athletic Conference, went 68-44 in the last two seasons.  In 2009 the Eagles finished the regular season with a 16-11 record in conference, finishing in fifth place behind three teams that advanced to the NAIA World Series.

McCarthy was an assistant coach at FHU from 2001-2004 before being promoted to the head coaching position in 2005, where he posted an overall record of 160-108 (.597) while going 58-47 in the TranSouth Conference.  In 2007, he guided the Lions to their first national ranking in 10 years.  He later took the program back into the NAIA Top 25 in 2008 and was on the cusp of breaking into the poll several times during the 2009 season.  McCarthy also recruited and signed pitcher Josh Hester, who set numerous school records and was drafted in the 17th round by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2008.

"I feel like we have made Freed-Hardeman into a top 25 program in the nation.  I am excited and anxious to see who can take the reins and get this program to the next level," McCarthy said.  "There is a great foundation at Freed-Hardeman and with the addition of a locker room facility at the field, the program's facilities will be second to none.

"I would like to thank all the players and their families over the last nine years.  Without the support of them and the alumni, there is no way we could have had the success we had over the last five years. Our assistant coaches, John David Flowers and Tyler Franklin, have been instrumental in building this program and putting us on the map."

McCarthy played baseball at Freed-Hardeman as a catcher from 1998-99. In 1998 he handled an FHU pitching staff that set the school record for strikeouts (301) while aiding his team to 37 wins. Before coming to FHU, he played two seasons at North Florida Community College. McCarthy received his bachelor's degree in history at FHU in 1999 and later completed his master's degree in social science at Mississippi College in 2002.

Freed-Hardeman Athletic Director Mike McCutchen said that the search to fill McCarthy's vacated position would begin immediately, with the hopes of having the position filled by mid-July.

"Coach McCarthy has been an asset to our athletic program and he and his family will truly be missed," he said.  "He has built a strong program here at FHU and I am sure he will do great things at Faulkner University."

McCarthy's last official day at Freed-Hardeman will be July 5.

"We could not pass up the opportunity at Faulkner University.  I can't wait to see what God has in store for my family next," said McCarthy.  "We will miss the amazing people at FHU."

Applications for the position are currently being accepted online at www.fhu.edu/HR/Careers.aspx.