June 27, 2006
Princess Anne, MD - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Department of Athletics is losing two members of its coaching staff for the 2006-2007 Athletic year. Head Coach Bobby Rodriguez turned in his resignation as the Head Baseball Coach to Acting Director of Athletics Keith Davidson last week. Coach Doug Wright informed Davidson of his decision to resign as Head Men & Women's Tennis Coach earlier in the month.
"We are sad to see two fine coaches leave our ranks," said Davidson. "We wish both of these gentlemen well in their future and thank them for their service to UMES."
Rodriguez's resignation comes as somewhat of a surprise as he is coming off his best season in the maroon and grey and the best season in Hawk baseball since 1995. In just three seasons Rodriguez had turned a 5-33 team into a 17 game winner and runner-up to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championship. His first two seasons were a struggle, amounting just nine wins but this season Coach Rodriguez had secured many of the pieces of the puzzle and made a run at the MEAC title.
"We of course renewed Coach Rodriguez's contract and made a better offer than the one that had been in place," added Davidson. "Unfortunately it wasn't what Coach Rodriguez was looking for and he submitted his resignation. The meeting was open and honest, we were very upfront with each other in what he wanted and what we could offer. We worked in good faith and wish Bobby and his family the best of luck in their future endeavors and thank their whole family for their contributions to UMES. Rodriguez's efforts have made the Athletic Department and University very proud," he continued.
"I was hoping to find something that is a little more secure for myself and my family," said Rodriguez. "But I have no ill will toward UMES. I loved the time I spent there and really enjoyed the campus and community as well as all the young men that played for me. I had hoped for a better situation there but I understand it all and now have to move on."
Rodriguez finished with a combined record of 26-94-2 overall and a MEAC record of 9-47. He plans to continue his coaching career. The resignation likely ends Rodriguez's ties to the area where he has been since 1997 when he served six years as a coach of the Delmarva Shorebirds.
Wright leaves a tennis program where he has been the head coach for the last four seasons. Overseeing the men and women's program Wright worked hard to establish some credibility to the program. His best season came in 2004 when he took the women's program to a tenth place finish and the men to an eighth place finish where both picked up wins over MEAC south power Bethune-Cookman College in the MEAC Tournament.
"Coach Wright managed a program that has typically been down at UMES. He worked hard and garnered some well-deserved respect and recognition from the MEAC and tennis coaches in the area. The University thanks him for his efforts," said Davidson.
Wright ends his stint at UMES with a 2-45 women's record and a 2-49 record on the men's side.
Both positions will be posted through the University's Human Resources Office and qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
