June 18, 2010

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Former Tiger Zach Clark has been hired as the program's volunteer assistant coach/camps coordinator, University of Memphis head baseball Coach Daron Schoenrock announced today. Clark replaces Derrick Dunbar, who spent two seasons in the same position before taking an assistant coaching position at his alma mater, Austin Peay.

"I am thrilled to have a former Tiger join our coaching staff," said Schoenrock. "Zach was well-respected by his teammates for his work ethic, passion and knowledge of the game. This is the first step in what I feel will be a brilliant coaching career. He will be a great addition to our staff."

Clark, a three-year letterwinner for Schoenrock's Tigers from 2007-09, is currently the head coach for the 10-year old Memphis Tigers. He has spent the previous three summers as an assistant for the Bartlett High School summer team.

Coming from a coaching backing, Clark brings a wealth of knowledge to the Tiger coaching staff. His father Phil, a TBCA Hall of Famer, is one of the most prominent coaches in the State of Tennessee with 12 state championship appearance, five state titles and one national championship. Phil lettered at Memphis from 1977-78.

"I'm excited to be back in the Memphis baseball program," Clark said. "I enjoyed the experience as a player and look forward to starting my coaching career with Coach Schoenrock and the staff."

The Tigers' Volunteer Assistant/Camps Coordinator position has been a positive stepping stone over the past five seasons as all three former coaches holding that position have gone on to secure full-time positions. Allen Osborne, who held the post in the 2007 NCAA Tournament season, departed to take the head coaching position at Wingate College in North Carolina. Barton, who has spent four years in a Memphis uniform as either a player (2005-06) or coach (2007-08), took an assistant coaching post at UL-Monroe.