Bobby Bell, a Blue Streak assistant coach for the last half decade, has been named the head coach of the John Carroll University baseball program effective immediately.

"We are very excited to welcome Bobby Bell to lead this group of young men," said Michelle Morgan, Senior Director of Varsity Athletics and Recreation at John Carroll. "His experience and his desire to cultivate leaders both on and off the field, will make both our University and our alumni proud."

Hired in the fall of 2014, Bell provided coaching, recruiting, and administrative support for all phases of the John Carroll baseball program over the last five seasons. During his time in this capacity, the Blue Streaks had 28 All-OAC honorees and qualified for three OAC Tournaments. As pitching coach in 2015, his charges set a team record for most strikeouts, and one his players - Andrew Doring - was named OAC Pitcher of the Year.

Among his responsibilities were recruiting top student-athletes to compete at the Ohio Athletic Conference level, developing an off-season weighted ball program to build arm strength/speed, managing a pitching rotation and relief appearances throughout a 40-game season, providing optimal playing conditions for athletes, to include proper maintenance of baseball field and related equipment and supplies, and producing scouting reports on upcoming opponents to prepare coaching staff and players.

"I feel truly blessed and grateful as I embrace this new role as head coach for John Carroll University," said Bell. "I would like to first thank Director of Athletics Michelle Morgan for entrusting me with the Blue Streaks baseball program. I am excited about the opportunity and ready to embark on this journey with a remarkable group of student-athletes that I have grown to admire tremendously. I look forward to building upon our prior success and leading John Carroll baseball to the next level on and off the field."

Bell began his coaching career in the summer of 2012 when he helped establish a new franchise team - the Olean Oilers -  into the New York Collegiate Baseball League (NYCBL). He was the manager of a 30-man roster made up of collegiate athletes from both national and international backgrounds. In his five years at the helm, Bell led the Oilers to NYCBL titles in 2015 and 2016, and was named the 2015 and 2016 NYCBL Manager of the Year. The Oilers reached the NYCBL playoffs in four of his five years, and amassed a record of 126-83, including a 39-7 record in 2016.

He also coached the Keene (NH) Swampbats of the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) in the summer of 2017.

While at John Carroll, Bell also aided the athletic department as an assistant facilities and game day operations manager for two years (2016-2018).

A 2007 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned a bachelor degree in Administrative Justice, Bell played two seasons for the Panthers baseball team as a relief pitcher, making 22 appearances. He also played two seasons at Erie Community College, where he was elected captain of the 2005 team and earned NJCAA All-Region honors that year as well.

Bell is scheduled to complete his masters degree in sports administration from Ashland University in September of 2019.

John Carroll baseball dates back to 1973, when Jerry Schweickert founded the program. In the 47 seasons of Blue Streaks baseball, John Carroll has produced 782 victories, competed in 15 Ohio Athletic Conference tournaments, and qualified for two NCAA Division III Championships (1984 and 2014). Bell is the fifth full time head coach in program history, following Schweickert (1973-76, 1979-95), Robert "Doc" Yackshaw (1977-78), Brian Brewer (1996-1999) and Marc Thibeault (2000-2019).