Baseball Names Kade McClure As New Pitching Coach
12/11/2025 12:04:00 PM | Baseball
MACON – Mercer head baseball coach Craig Gibson announced the hiring of Kade McClure as the program's new Pitching Coach this morning.
"Kade rose to the top of the hiring process," Gibson said. "He had a stellar playing career and had the opportunity to work with one of the best pitching minds in the country, Mike Birkbeck, and played under coach Dan McDonnell and Roger Williams at Louisville, some of the best in the business. His experience as both a player, and as a coach is invaluable and I believe we brought the best of the best to our program."
McClure spent last season as the Director of Pitching Development for Kent State, learning from head coach Jeff Duncan and Mike Birkbeck, Kent State's associate head coach/pitching coach. In 2025, the Golden Flashes improved from 27-27 to 38-18 while improving in several significant pitching categories under McClure's guidance.
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In his first season with Kent State, a member of the Golden Flashes' stable received First Team All-Conference honors. The Mid-American Conference named Jacob Bean to its First Team in 2025 after the sophomore struck out 72 batters in 75 innings while maintaining the third-best earned run average amongst qualified pitchers in the MAC.
Before joining Kent State's coaching staff, McClure capped off an eight-year playing career where he reached the Triple-A level with three different MLB organizations. Beginning as a sixth-round draft pick to the Chicago White Sox in 2017, McClure quickly worked his way up to the Charlotte Knights before being traded to the San Francisco Giants' organization in 2023. After a season with the Sacramento River Cats, McClure signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates where he appeared primarily for the Indianapolis Indians. As a professional pitcher, McClure maintained a 4.44 ERA while fanning 391 batters across 401 innings of work.
McClure, a University of Louisville alumnus, finished his collegiate career with his name scattered throughout the Cardinals' record book. McClure ranks top 10 in school history for wins in a season (12), strikeouts in a season (111), and starts in a season (18). McClure also ranks top 10 in school history for career wins (21), and strikeouts in a career (225). In 2016, McClure became a NCBWA First Team All-American and a Perfect Game Third Team All-American.
"I'm incredibly excited to accept this role at Mercer, a school with a proud baseball tradition," McClure said. "It's an honor to work under Coach Gibson, whose leadership and vision set the standard for excellence on and off the field. I can't wait to pour into our student athletes and help elevate our players to new heights. This opportunity fuels my passion, and I'm ready to get to work in Macon."
What they are saying about Coach McClure
"Kade did a great job while he was here. He is an incredibly gifted coach with a contagious personality. He worked endlessly on the development of our pitchers with a great ability to connect with people. We are forever grateful for the work he did here." – Kent State Baseball Head Coach Jeff Duncan.
"Home run hire for Coach Gibson and Mercer University. With his strong athletic history and pitching background, Kade is well equipped to become a rising star in our profession.  His knowledge and temperament should make an immediate impact on both current players and future recruits." – Louisville Baseball Associate Head Coach/Pitching Coach Roger Williams.
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"Kade rose to the top of the hiring process," Gibson said. "He had a stellar playing career and had the opportunity to work with one of the best pitching minds in the country, Mike Birkbeck, and played under coach Dan McDonnell and Roger Williams at Louisville, some of the best in the business. His experience as both a player, and as a coach is invaluable and I believe we brought the best of the best to our program."
McClure spent last season as the Director of Pitching Development for Kent State, learning from head coach Jeff Duncan and Mike Birkbeck, Kent State's associate head coach/pitching coach. In 2025, the Golden Flashes improved from 27-27 to 38-18 while improving in several significant pitching categories under McClure's guidance.
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| Team Pitching Stats | ||
| Category | 2024 | 2025 |
| WHIP | 1.60 | 1.49 |
| Innings | 465.2 | 469.0 |
| Hits Allowed | 533 | 506 |
| Earned Runs | 312 | 297 |
| Walks Allowed | 210 | 194 |
| Strikeouts | 466 | 450 |
| Home Runs given up | 61 | 54 |
In his first season with Kent State, a member of the Golden Flashes' stable received First Team All-Conference honors. The Mid-American Conference named Jacob Bean to its First Team in 2025 after the sophomore struck out 72 batters in 75 innings while maintaining the third-best earned run average amongst qualified pitchers in the MAC.
Before joining Kent State's coaching staff, McClure capped off an eight-year playing career where he reached the Triple-A level with three different MLB organizations. Beginning as a sixth-round draft pick to the Chicago White Sox in 2017, McClure quickly worked his way up to the Charlotte Knights before being traded to the San Francisco Giants' organization in 2023. After a season with the Sacramento River Cats, McClure signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates where he appeared primarily for the Indianapolis Indians. As a professional pitcher, McClure maintained a 4.44 ERA while fanning 391 batters across 401 innings of work.
McClure, a University of Louisville alumnus, finished his collegiate career with his name scattered throughout the Cardinals' record book. McClure ranks top 10 in school history for wins in a season (12), strikeouts in a season (111), and starts in a season (18). McClure also ranks top 10 in school history for career wins (21), and strikeouts in a career (225). In 2016, McClure became a NCBWA First Team All-American and a Perfect Game Third Team All-American.
"I'm incredibly excited to accept this role at Mercer, a school with a proud baseball tradition," McClure said. "It's an honor to work under Coach Gibson, whose leadership and vision set the standard for excellence on and off the field. I can't wait to pour into our student athletes and help elevate our players to new heights. This opportunity fuels my passion, and I'm ready to get to work in Macon."
What they are saying about Coach McClure
"Kade did a great job while he was here. He is an incredibly gifted coach with a contagious personality. He worked endlessly on the development of our pitchers with a great ability to connect with people. We are forever grateful for the work he did here." – Kent State Baseball Head Coach Jeff Duncan.
"Home run hire for Coach Gibson and Mercer University. With his strong athletic history and pitching background, Kade is well equipped to become a rising star in our profession.  His knowledge and temperament should make an immediate impact on both current players and future recruits." – Louisville Baseball Associate Head Coach/Pitching Coach Roger Williams.
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