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Eastern Illinois baseball head coach Jason Anderson has announced the hiring of Mike Pugliese to the Panthers full-time coaching staff for the 2024 season.
 
Pugliese has worked as a volunteer assistant coach with the Panthers the past three seasons and this past year helped guide EIU to the NCAA Tournament, its third NCAA Regional appearance as a Division I program.
 
"We are excited to promote Coach Mike Pugliese to the full time staff.  He has done a tremendous job in the past two seasons and had a major role in getting us to the championship this year," said Anderson.  "Coach Pugs will do a tremendous job on the field, in the office, and on the recruiting trail.  He is a tireless worker that has shown a strong commitment to the program and the players that he works with every day.  He has experience at several different levels of baseball and has built a strong network of baseball connections that he will be able to utilize in recruiting.  Our program prides itself on good people that are committed to doing things the right way.  I know he will carry that tradition forward in the coming years."
 
Pugliese helped assist with all aspects of the program assisting the offense and defense while coaching outfielders.  He was also responsible for camp coordination.
 
This past season EIU set a school record for wins with 38 while Pugliese coached recent MLB Draft selection Ryan Ignoffo (20th round by Miami Marlins).   This season as an offense the program set school records for stolen bases and walks drawn in a season while ranking in the top ten in program history in runs scored, hits, doubles and RBI.  Over the last three seasons the program has posted the top three fielding percentages in program history.
 
Prior to his time at EIU, Pugliese worked as the general manager and director of player development for Illinois Travel Baseball Club.  He was also an assistant coach at Oakton Community College.   A native of Naperville, Ill., Pugliese played college baseball at Carthage College.