An assistant coach from one of the nation’s top college baseball programs is joining the University of Hawaii’s coaching staff.
Mike Brown, who was on Mississippi State’s staff the past two seasons, will serve as the Rainbow Warriors’ offensive coach. Brown’s official hire date is today.
“He’s a really good coach,” UH coach Mike Trapasso said of Brown. “I think he’s going to be a good head coach someday. He’s just a good guy. He’s a great fit for us. I always felt a change is good. He’ll give us some great energy. I’m excited to have him on board.”
Brown fills the full-time vacancy created when Rusty McNamara left the ’Bows in December. Jerry Kleman, who was the volunteer coach, was elevated to interim assistant coach as McNamara’s replacement. Trapasso said Kleman has agreed to remain as a volunteer coach. Carl Fraticelli is the other full-time assistant coach.
Trapasso praised Kleman as a “tremendous coach. He was somebody I considered for the full-time job. But with Mike’s experience, and the places he’s been, it gave us an opportunity to make our staff better. The fact Jerry’s staying on is big for us.”
Brown served as a graduate assistant under Gary Henderson at Kentucky in 2013 and 2014, and then as an assistant coach under Brian Green at New Mexico State for two years. Green is a former UH assistant coach. Trapasso and Henderson are good friends.
The past two seasons, Brown was with Mississippi State, one of the premier programs in the country. The Bulldogs lost to eventual national champion Oregon State in the semifinals of the 2018 College World Series. Henderson was MSU’s interim head coach this past season. Brown became available when Louisville assistant Chris Lemonis was hired as MSU’s head coach in June.
Trapasso said Brown has “had success wherever he’s been. He’s played and worked for some outstanding offensive coaches.”
Trapasso said Brown, like all staff members, will be involved in recruiting.
“That’s the lifeblood of what we do,” Trapasso said. “We’ll go coast to coast. He’ll do nothing but help with his experience and work ethic. He’ll be a great addition.”
