Tiger Assistant Coach Tim Corbin Named Head Coach at Vanderbilt

June 25, 2002

Clemson, SC – Tim Corbin, Clemson’s assistant and associate head coach for the past nine years has accepted the head coaching job at Vanderbilt University. He has helped craft the Tigers into a national power, winning more than 71 percent (434 wins, 172 losses) of all games. Including this year’s postseason run, Clemson has reached the College World Series four times (1995, 1996, 2000, and 2002) while Corbin has assisted head coach Jack Leggett in Tigertown. Entering the 2002 season, Clemson ranked as the fifth-winningest program since 1993 with five top 10 finishes and top 25 national rankings every year.

Corbin, who was promoted to assistant head coach in December 1998 before being promoted again to associate head coach and recruiting coordinator in September 2001, has earned high marks for his abilities to attract talented baseball prospects to the college game. Heading into the 2002 season all eight of Corbin’s recruiting classes gained top 25 recognition. Baseball America tabbed his 1999 recruiting class No. 1 in the nation. Baseball America and the American Baseball Coaches Association named him the “Assistant Coach of the Year” in 2000. Baseball America also listed Clemson as one of the top five “College Recruiting Staffs” in the country in 1997.

Corbin’s onfield duties at Clemson were working with outfielders and hitters as well as team offense and defense.

“I was attracted to Vanderbilt because of the tradition of the school itself I like the idea of selling Ivy League education with Southeastern Conference baseball,” Corbin said. “I can see by the improvement in facilities that the University wants a quality baseball program. I liked what I heard from both Todd Turner and Chancellor Gee in terms of their commitment to baseball’s success. I took this job with the goal of becoming a winning program.

“There are several private schools that have made dents into baseball’s upper echelon. Vanderbilt can be one of those institutions. Academics are a priority to many prospects and we will offer an excellent option for the kid who wants high quality baseball with a great education.”

Among the gifted players Corbin has coached at Clemson includes All-America shortstop Khalil Greene, the 2002 Dick Howser Player of the Year recipient. Seattle Mariner and former All-America outfielder Shane Monahan and former outfielder and first-round draft pick David Miller highlight the list of 20 All-Americans mentored by Corbin at Clemson.

“Tim is coming from one of the premier baseball programs in America,” Turner said. “He played a pivotal role in sustaining Clemson’s national caliber program, especially in the area of recruiting. He has the values and experience that make him an excellent fit at Vanderbilt. His experiences as a student and as a head coach give him an appreciation for the challenges of coaching at a private institution.”

Corbin has been recognized by his peers as a talented assistant coach. He was named an assistant coach to the 2000 Team USA Baseball team that won the World Championship in Netherlands and set a record for the best winning percentage (.900).

Leggett then commented on Corbin as being “one of the top assistants in the country. He has the ability to understand both the offensive and defensive sides of the game, and is well-versed in all areas of the game. He does a tremendous job with our outfielders and working with our hitters. He also works extremely hard in his recruiting responsibilities and is known throughout the country as one of the top recruiters. He’s very organized, and all the players and coaches respect him a great deal.”

At Clemson Corbin has helped assist the Tigers to a 52-24 record against Southeastern Conference competition, including 23 wins in the last 32 meetings.

“The nine best years of my life were at Clemson,” Corbin said. “Four of the last eight years we were in the College World Series. I worked with great people and I enjoyed every minute of it. But now it’s time to focus my energy and enthusiasm on our program at Vanderbilt.”

Prior to his arrival at Clemson, Corbin spent six years at Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C., beginning its baseball program in 1987. He was named the 1989 South Atlantic Coach of the Year and guided his squads to the South Atlantic playoffs from 1991-93.

Before his stay at Presbyterian College, Corbin served as an assistant coach at Wofford in Spartanburg, SC, in 1987.

A native of Wolfeboro, N.H., Corbin graduated from Kingswood Regional High School and was a post graduate at Kimball Union Academy. He lettered in baseball four years at Ohio Wesleyan and garnered all-conference accolades in 1983. He graduated from Ohio Wesleyan in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education. He earned a Master of Arts degree in athletic administration from Ohio State in 1986 while serving as a graduate assistant coach from 1985-1986.

Tim’s wife Maggie has two daughters, Molly (17) and Hannah (14).

Corbin replaces Roy Mewbourne who retired following the 2002 season, ending his 24-year tenure as Commodore skipper.