USC Aiken Names Michael Holder as Head Baseball Coach

Aiken, SC (04/20/2022) — The University of South Carolina Aiken (USC Aiken) Director of Athletics, Jim Herlihy, is pleased to announce Michael Holder has been hired as the head baseball coach.

"I can't express how humbled and grateful I am for the opportunity to be named the head coach of Pacer Baseball," Holder exclaimed. "I'd like to express my appreciation for Chancellor Heimmermann and Director of Athletics Jim Herlihy for their tremendous leadership of our university and our athletic department, respectfully. I will always be grateful for their belief in entrusting me to lead a storied baseball program at USC Aiken. I'd like to thank the search committee for their time, effort, and due diligence in this process.

"I'd also like to thank the Pacer Baseball alumni, current student-athletes, citizens of the CSRA, and the baseball coaching community who passionately voiced their support for me. Their support, understanding of what our program can provide, and belief in my ability to lead are the lifelines of our program.

"Last but not least, I'd like to thank my wife (Stephanie), daughter (Lily), mother (Brenda), and dad (Terry) for their belief, understanding, and patience during my 'baseball journey.' Without their unwavering support, my dream of eventually becoming a head coach simply would not have been possible. It's been a long road to get here for me personally, but this is only the beginning of many more great things to come for everyone involved. Go Pacers!"

Holder has over 20 years of coaching experience at the Division I and Division II levels. Coming off his fourth year at USC Aiken, Holder has been a key cog on the coaching staff throughout his two stints with the program.

"Michael has been a valued member of the baseball staff for many years," Herlihy stated. "His relationships with former and current student-athletes will serve the program well as he steps into the head coach role to lead the program.

"We wanted to make sure our next head coach had a vision and plan to return our program to prominence. The qualities Coach Holder displayed as interim coach and during the interview process and his resolve and plan to build a culture of education and athletics success are what the committee was looking for."

Holder was named the interim head baseball coach at the conclusion of the 2021 season, replacing Kenny Thomas, who led the program from 2000-to 2021.

After helping guide the University of North Georgia to a World Series berth in 2017, Holder returned to USC Aiken and promptly helped the team to the PBC Championship game and a 35-19 record. During the 2018 season, he helped the squad bat 44 points higher than the opposition while landing three student-athletes on the all-conference team. In 2019, he coached All-American Conner Durden.

Prior to his time at North Georgia, Holder spent eight seasons as an assistant coach for the USC Aiken baseball program, serving the last two as pitching coach for the Pacers. Under his direction, the pitching staff posted a 3.57 earned run average in 2012 and led the Pacers to a 38-win season while earning a top-20 ranking in the final Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Division II national poll.

As a hitting instructor in his early seasons at USC Aiken, Holder helped the Pacers to a school-record 47 wins in 2008 and the PBC regular-season championship in 2009. The Pacers broke numerous school-hitting records in 2009, with Southeast Region Player of the Year and All-American Travis Howard leading the nation in RBI with 103, which also tied a Division II national record.

Prior to his stint at USC Aiken, Holder spent three seasons as a volunteer assistant at Vanderbilt University. During his tenure in Nashville, Tennessee, Holder mentored the Commodore catchers and oversaw field preparations at Hawkins Field.

In 2001, Holder was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Middle Georgia Junior College. That year, he helped the team reach the Junior College World Series and finish third nationally.

The Evans, Ga., native is a 2001 graduate of Augusta State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. As a player, he was a four-year letterwinner and catcher at Georgia Southern University from 1995-to 1999.

Media Attachments