FIU hires VCU assistant as new head coach

FIU is rolling with a rookie head baseball coach.

Rich Witten, who previously served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Virginia Commonwealth University, will get a five-year contract to attempt to turn the program around.

Witten, who does not have head-coaching experience at any level, replaces Mervyl Melendez, who was dismissed following six seasons at the helm.

FIU has not made an NCAA Tournament appearance since 2015.

“Rich is a phenomenal recruiter and evaluator of talent,” FIU Athletic Director Scott Carr said. “He is a winner. He’s made programs better everywhere he has gone.”

The FIU team was notified of the news late Thursday night.

Witten, who turns 34 on July 12, is a native of Danville, Kentucky. He was a Louisville Slugger All-American at Danville High, and he played college ball at Coastal Carolina, hitting .316 with 50 doubles and 158 RBI for his career. He ranks sixth on his alma mater’s all-time RBI list and is seventh in doubles.

He played in five regionals in five years at Coastal, and he won 230 games, tied for the program record.

Witten has Florida ties. He served as director of baseball operations at UCF in 2013, and he was a volunteer assistant coach for the Miami Hurricanes in 2014.

He then served as an assistant at Winthrop University, which won 102 games in his three years there.

Witten coached at VCU for five years, working with hitters and the infield defense.

FIU talked to about 25 candidates before settling on Witten, who played catcher, first base and third base in high school and college.

“He’s high energy,” Carr said. “He’s a players’ coach. He’s going to build a great culture here.

“We believe he’s a rising star.”