Justin Dedman enters his 12th season in coaching and his 7th season as the hitting coach and recruiting coordinator at Lee University. Additionally, Coach Dedman serves as the infield instructor.
Lee (30-18, 18-11 GSC) led the Gulf South in 2016 in HR (60) and 2B per game and were second in OPS (.903), BB and FLD%. Senior 1B was named the GSC Player of the Year and an All-American by four separate publications after hitting .424/.533/.859 with 23 2B, 18 HR, 54 RBI, 38 BB and a .993 FLD%.
The Flames began the transition to NCAA Division II and the Gulf South Conference in 2014 with a 37-19 record and National Runner-Up finish in the NCCAA. The Flames led the GSC in doubles, were second in home runs and fourth in OPS, while leading the GSC in fielding percentage.
Lee University was a perennial NAIA power, finishing 3rd, 4th, and 3rd in the 2011, 2012 and 2013 seasons and has an overall record of 195-56-1 since 2011. Dedman's offensive units increased their production each year from 2011 to 2013, scoring 7.3, 7.6 and 8.1 runs per game with a team OPS of .888, .869 and .914 in each respective season.
In 2013, the Flames finished 2nd in the nation in OPS, on base percentage, doubles, hits and runs scored, 3rd in slugging percentage and home runs per game and 4th in batting average.
In six years with Lee, the Flames have produced 16 MLB Draft picks and four free agent signees.
Prior to coaching at Lee, Dedman spent time as the Director of Baseball Operations at Ole Miss and the volunteer assistant at Austin Peay. In 2008 and 2009, he was the head baseball coach at his alma mater, Denison University, leading the Big Red to a 27-18 record in 2008 and a North Coast Athletic Conference runner-up finish. Dedman's coaching career started as an assistant at Denison in 2006. In 2007, he was the hitting coach for the Southern Ohio Copperheads of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League, and in 2006 was the assistant general manager of the GLSCL's Licking County Settlers.
Dedman lives in Chattanooga with his wife, Brittany, and their daughter, Norah.
Coach, this is great stuff! The post on pre-AB routines led me here, and I ended up reading all of your posts. Playing at Milligan College from '09-'12, I saw a lot of dominate hitting from Lee and now I see why. Coaching at the HS level now, definitely going to use some bits and pieces from what I've picked up. Thanks!
ReplyDelete