Former All-American Brandon Belanger Joins Tulane Baseball Staff

NEW ORLEANS, La. - Former Green Wave All-American and professional baseball player Brandon Belanger has joined the Tulane University baseball staff as an assistant coach, head coach Rick Jones announced Tuesday.

Belanger, who set the Tulane single-season and career saves marks during his stint as a player with the Green Wave from 1999-2000, will work with the outfielders and assist with hitting, baserunning and pitching.

"I'm really pleased Brandon has joined our coaching staff," Jones said. "As a Tulane alum, a former All-American and a professional player, he brings a lot of expertise and positive energy to our program. He played for me, he's familiar with how the program is run and he knows what I expect from our players.

"I think most of our fans who saw Brandon play would agree that he was one of the most competitive players to ever wear a Green Wave uniform, and that should raise our intensity level in a positive way."

In 1999, his first season with the Green Wave, Belanger was named first-team Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball All-American after setting a school marks with 16 saves in a record 41 appearances and finishing 11th in the nation with a Conference USA-best 2.45 ERA. He concluded his collegiate career as Tulane's all-time saves leader with 27 and ranks eighth on the career ERA list with a 3.12 mark.

Following his senior season, Belanger signed with the San Diego Padres organization and spent two years in the minor-league system before retiring from professional baseball to complete his degree.

"I'm excited about being back here," Belanger said. "I think we've got a good team and a good recruiting class this year. Tulane also has a great group of coaches that I can learn from. It's good to be in an atmosphere that you feel comfortable in, and I'm here to help this team get back to Omaha."

Belanger graduated from Tulane with a degree in social science last December. He is married to the former Angie Mullins of Monticello, Miss. and the couple resides in Houma, La.

Belanger replaces Chris Burr who spent the 2002 season with the Green Wave before leaving to pursue an opportunity in private business.