Coaching Staff
Bryan McLain
Head Coach
bsm@canes.gsw.edu
(229) 931-2843
Bryan McLain is entering his ninth season as head coach and his 17th overall with the baseball program at Georgia Southwestern. The Hurricanes are coming off a 13-34 season in 2012, which was good for fifth place in the six-team West Division of the Peach Belt Conference.
In McLain's eight years as head coach at GSW, he has enjoyed much success with the program, highlighted by being named Georgia Dugout Club's NAIA Coach of the Year in 2005. Under McLain's leadership the Hurricanes have advanced to two NAIA regional tournaments, produced several NAIA and NCAA Academic and All-Conference players - as well as two NAIA Honorable Mention All-Americans - and this past season delivered the athletic department's first nationally ranked team since joining the NCAA in 2006.
Prior to taking over the helm of the 'Canes, McLain spent nine seasons as an assistant coach. From 1996-2000, he served as the hitting and outfield coach, as well as recruiting coordinator for Bill Haywood. For four seasons, 2001-2004, under Barry Davis, McLain took over the pitching staff and developed it into one of the best staffs in NAIA baseball, while establishing many individuals and team pitching records. During that time, the Hurricanes had two pitchers earn first team All-Region honors with one being named NAIA National Player of the Year. As an assistant, he was an integral part of three regional appearances and three conference championships.
McLain also has a wealth of playing experience. He was an All-American outfielder at the University of West Georgia and played one year in the Frontier League (Independent) in 1993. He played his first two collegiate seasons at South Georgia College after graduating from Tift County High School.
McLain and his wife, Carmen, are the proud parents of twin daughters, Bailey and Carley.
Nick Tracy
Assistant Coach
Tracy enters his fourth season at Georgia Southwestern working with the pitching staff. GSW hurlers have made considerable improvements in a short time under Tracy. The 2011 staff recorded the lowest team ERA since joining the NCAA in 2006. In 2010, Jody Sellars became the first GSW pitcher to be named to a Peach Belt Conference All-Tournament team.
Tracy comes to GSW from NCAA Division II member Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tenn. where he served as an assistant coach since August 2008. He worked with Eagles pitchers under head coach Tom Griffin. Carson-Newman finished last season 24-21 overall and 7-14 in the South Atlantic Conference.
Tracy played professionally in the summer of 2007 with the Slippery Rock Sliders of the Frontier League. He led the team with 19 starts and was second on the club in innings pitched and strikeouts.
A 2008 graduate of Mars Hill (N.C.) College, Tracy earned his Sports Management degree after serving as a three-year starter on the Lions pitching staff from 2005-2007. He finished his career with several school-records including: career wins (16), wins in a season (7), innings pitched in a career (217.2) and strikeouts in a career (136).
A native of Herndon, Va., Tracy graduated from Herndon High School.
Eric McCombie
Assistant Coach
Eric McCombie enters his second season as an assistant coach for the GSW baseball program. McCombie’s primary responsibilities include working with outfielders while serving as the Hurricanes’ base running coach and first base coach. He was also the head coach of the 2012 Myrtle Beach Summer Collegiate Baseball League champion Myrtle Beach Riptides.
Prior to joining the Hurricanes, McCombie spent the previous three seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater of La Roche College in Pittsburgh. There he was the Redhawks’ hitting and outfield coach. La Roche’s 2011 season was particularly successful as McCombie helped Head Coach Chase Row e lead the Redhawks to a 27-15 record, which saw four players earn all-conference honors and saw Rowe earn AMCC Coach of the Year honors.
A two-year captain during his playing career at La Roche College (2003-2008), McCombie was a standout centerfielder. He batted .361 with 3 homeruns and 20 RBIs as a senior, which helped the Redhawks finish third in the country in hitting.
Eric McCombie is a native of Homer City, Pennsylvania. He graduated from La Roche College with a Bachelor of Science degree in management with a minor in marketing. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Coaching Education from Ohio University.
