PRINCESS ANNE, Md. — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore announced the addition of Conrad Felks Jr. and Bryan Liriano-Hernandez to Hawks' baseball coaching staff ahead of the 2027 season. Felks Jr. will serve as the team's hitting coach and recruiting coordinator, while Liriano-Hernandez will oversee the Hawks' pitching staff.

"I'm extremely excited to welcome Conrad and Bryan to our coaching staff," Thomas said. "Their resumes and experiences speak for themselves. Throughout this process, they demonstrated positive energy, detailed preparation and a genuine excitement for this opportunity. I believe both will be tremendous assets to our program, and I'm eager to get to work with them as we continue building UMES baseball."

Conrad Felks Jr. 
Felks Jr. arrives in Princess Anne after spending the past two seasons at Queens University of Charlotte as the program's volunteer assistant coach and director of recruiting. Working primarily with the catchers and outfielders, he oversaw player development, position instruction and recruiting operations while helping coordinate prospect camps and on-campus visits.

During his tenure with the Royals, Felks Jr. helped Queens earn the program's first victories over Power Four opponents with wins over South Carolina and Duke in 2026. Defensively, the Royals ranked second in the ASUN Conference in passed balls allowed and third in stolen-base percentage allowed during conference play while finishing No. 87 nationally in outfield defensive efficiency. He also assisted in the development of program record-holder Matthew Suppa and 2025 Major League Baseball Draft selection Landry Jurecka.

Before joining Queens, Felks Jr. spent six seasons with the Coastal Carolina baseball program under former head coach Gary Gilmore, including three seasons as the program's field and equipment coordinator and graduate assistant. During his tenure, the Chanticleers compiled a 191-121-2 record, advanced to four NCAA Tournament regionals, hosted an NCAA Regional in 2023 and captured two Sun Belt Conference Tournament championships. He partnered with the offensive staff on player development while assisting with recruiting and baseball operations. During his six seasons in Conway, Coastal Carolina produced 24 All-Sun Belt selections and 16 Major League Baseball Draft picks, including first-round selections Eric Brown Jr. and Caden Bodine.

"I am incredibly grateful and honored to join the University of Maryland Eastern Shore baseball program," Felks Jr. said. "I want to sincerely thank the administration and Coach Justin Thomas for believing in me and providing this opportunity to be part of such a special university. I am excited to invest in the development of our student-athletes, not only as baseball players but as young men who will represent this institution with pride. I look forward to working alongside our staff, student-athletes, alumni and supporters as we strive to bring winning baseball back to Princess Anne. I can't wait to get to work and proudly represent UMES."

Bryan Liriano-Hernandez
Liriano-Hernandez joins the Hawks after spending the 2025 season at Presbyterian College, where he worked with the Blue Hose pitching staff. During his return to Clinton, he mentored redshirt freshman Tyrell Williams to Big South All-Freshman Team honors while contributing to one of Presbyterian's signature victories of the season, an 11-8 win over No. 23 Alabama. The Blue Hose pitching staff held the Crimson Tide to just one earned run over the final 6 2/3 innings, highlighted by Sean Hollister's 4 2/3 scoreless innings in relief.

Before returning to Presbyterian, Liriano-Hernandez spent two seasons at George Washington University, where he coached the outfielders while assisting with the pitching staff. During his tenure, the Revolutionaries recorded their first 30-win season since 2019 and advanced to the Atlantic 10 Championship for the first time since 2018.

Prior to his stint at George Washington, Liriano-Hernandez served as Presbyterian's director of player development and baseball operations. Along with overseeing the program's day-to-day operations, he worked extensively with the Blue Hose pitching staff on the mental aspects of pitching while assisting with scouting reports, transfer portal management, team meals and daily practice preparation.

"I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to lead the pitching staff at UMES," Liriano-Hernandez said. "I want to thank Coach Thomas and the athletics department for believing in me. Throughout this process, one thing stood out to me - the athletics department genuinely cares and is committed to building a program capable of competing for championships. I'm excited to get to work with our student-athletes and help continue building a championship culture in Princess Anne."

Felks Jr. earned both his bachelor's degree in recreation and sport management and his master's degree in sport management from Coastal Carolina University. A four-year varsity letterman at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School, he is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. He and his fiancée, Jameia Simmons, are the proud parents of their 3-year-old son, Elias.

Liriano-Hernandez earned a Bachelor of Science in sport management from Newberry College in 2021 after receiving an Associate of Science degree from USC Salkehatchie in 2019. A former right-handed pitcher for the Wolves, he began his collegiate coaching career following his playing days and has since gained experience at Presbyterian College, George Washington University, the Michigan Monarchs of the Great Lakes Collegiate League and Florida SouthWestern State College.