SPORTS
Welch Joins Davidson Baseball Coaching Staff
Jake Welch, a former junior college head coach, has joined the Davidson baseball coaching staff, Wildcats head coach Rucker Taylor announced Wednesday.
Welch will serve as Davidson’s volunteer assistant coach after previously coaching at Frank Phillips College, a JuCo program in north Texas. He will work with Wildcat outfielders, hitters and baserunners.
“Jake was highly recommended from a lot of different levels,” said Taylor. “He’s a hardworking, genuine person that will help our program in many areas. I think the guys are going to enjoy his energy and knowledge, and he’s going to be able to help in their development. We’re very excited about Jake joining us.”
A Miami native, Welch played four seasons of college baseball at Bethune-Cookman, where he majored in accounting. He helped the Wildcats win two MEAC titles and reach two NCAA Regionals, including in 2014 when BCU defeated Columbia at the Coral Gables Regional to secure the program’s first NCAA postseason win in 12 seasons.
He began his coaching career at Frank Phillips College in 2017 and became FPC head coach in 2020 at the age of 26.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity that Coach Taylor and the staff have granted me to join the Davidson College baseball program,” said Welch. “I’m looking forward to helping this program and the Davidson community develop at a progressive pace.”
In Welch’s first full season as FPC head coach, the Plainsmen reached their first postseason in eight years and notched their first series win over a ranked opponent, also in eight years. That year, FPC set the school records for home runs and runs scored and ranked as one of the top offensive teams in the nation.