New College of Florida has been remade in recent months following a politically motivated makeover at the hands of Governor Ron DeSantis. While many of those changes have been about removing diversity and inclusion practices and using the school as a prop in DeSantis’s nascent Presidental campaign, they recently made a huge change in the athletics world.
The college introduced Mariano Jimenez as its athletic director and head baseball coach on Friday.
Up until now, New College has only competed in intramural sports. Now, however, it will begin competing in intercollegiate athletics.
Jimenez was previously the president of baseball operations and athletic director at Inspiration Academy, a faith-based school founded by DeSantis-appointed trustee Eddie Speir. Jimenez also previously coached at IMG Academy and Palm Beach Atlantic University.
“We’re looking forward to building a culture that emphasizes academic and athletic excellence,” Interim President Richard Corcoran said in an announcement. “We’re going to bring in outstanding people to contribute to this amazing community.”
The move is the latest in a series of changes to the small liberal arts school, which included the firing of the prior president and replacement with Republican-ally Corcoran.
Chris Coghlan, a former Major League Baseball player, was quoted in the statement, saying “Under his leadership, New College will have a commitment to mentoring the next generation. I would trust my son under his leadership.”
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.