On Friday morning, FIU Head Baseball Coach Mervyl Melandez announced the hiring of Former MLB All-Star and World Champion Jeff Conine as the Panther’s new Associate Head Coach.
Conine responsibilities will be overseeing hitting and player development.
In a press release made by FIU Athletics, Coach Melandez says, “Jeff brings a wealth of knowledge of what it takes to be a champion. He’s a two-time World Series champion who believes in simplicity and performance”.
Melandez adds “Our hitters will gain a vast knowledge of what it takes to compete day in and day out. He’s a great addition to our staff.”
Jeff spent 17 seasons in Major League Baseball, including eight seasons with the Florida Marlins from 1993-1997, and 2003-2005. He hit .290 with 120 home runs and 553 RBIs in eight seasons while playing the second most games as a Marlin (1,014), thus the nickname “Mr. Marlin”. At his time in Florida, he was a two time All-Star including an All-Star Game MVP in 1995 and won two World Series titles in 1997 and 2003.
After his time playing professional baseball, Conine was a special assistant to the President of the Marlins from 2008-2017, where he helped hitters and outfielders during Marlins Spring Training. He also was a color analyst on Fox Sports Florida (now Bally Sports Florida) working Pr and Post-game coverage.
Conine was also a Guest Instructor for the Baltimore Orioles during 2020 Spring Training.
“I’m incredibly excited to be able to work with the talented student-athletes at FIU. Being a South Floridian, it’s a blessing to have the chance to work at a great program and University in my own backyard,” Conine says in the press release. “I’m very appreciative for the opportunity, and look forward to our bright future at FIU.”
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