Link Jarrett is in his third year as East Carolina's hitting instructor, infield coach and recruiting coordinator, a position that he accepted July 27, 2005. Jarrett has quickly made his mark with the Pirate hitters helping them rank 28th nationally in home runs per game in 2007 and 42nd in 2006. The Pirates 68 homers in 2007 lead the league in all-games played and their 24 blasts was tied for the league lead in conference games. In just two years, Jarrett's squads have ranked among the Conference USA leaders in batting average (third in '06), hits (second in '06), home runs (first in '07), on-base percentage, RBI (third in '07), runs scored (third in '07), slugging percentage (third in '07), total bases and total plate appearances. The Pirates have also excelled in the field during Jarrett's two-year stint ranking 33rd nationally in fielding percentage (.971) and double plays per game (0.98) in 2007. In league games, ECU committed the fewest errors (22) and claimed a share of second with a .975 fielding percentage, while ranking second in double plays turned (62) and total chances (2,428) in C-USA (all games) and third in fielding percentage and assists (680). Under Jarrett's direction, former All-American catcher Jake Smith ranked among the league leaders in RBI (65; sixth), slugging percentage (.606; sixth), home runs (13; eighth), total bases (132; t-8th) and average (.344; 12th). He has helped six Pirates earn All C-USA honors with Smith and Harrison Eldridge being selected to the first-team, while Dale Mollenhauer, Ryan Tousley and Adam Witter garnered second-team accolades and Ryan Wood (2006) and Kyle Roller (2007) being named to the All-Freshman squad. Jarrett came to ECU after spending two seasons with the Bears as the recruiting coordinator, infield and hitting coach. As the recruiting coordinator, Jarrett brought in the largest recruiting class in Mercer's history during the 2005 season with almost 30 players between scholarships and walk-ons. In 2005, Mercer increased their winning percentage 16 percent and raised their team batting average 17 points from the 2004 campaign, led the Atlantic Sun Conference in fielding percentage, while ranking third in home runs with 53 (26 in 2004). During his stint as the infield coach he led the 2004 Bears to the top of the Atlantic Sun Conference in double plays, while increasing the teams on base percentage by 33 points and batting average by 17 points from 2003 to 2004. Prior to Mercer, Jarrett spent time as the infield instructor and first base coach at his alma mater Florida State. The Seminoles captured the regular season Atlantic Coast Conference championship after posting a 47-8-1 record. He worked closely with Arizona Diamondbacks 2004 first round draft pick, shortstop Stephen Drew. He also helped the Seminoles post a .963 fielding percentage. Before returning to Florida State, Jarrett served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Flagler College from 1999-2002. While at Flagler, his teams set seven new school records in just three seasons (team batting average, total hits, doubles, fielding percentage, team ERA, strikeouts and national ranking). In 2001, Flagler (40-17) earned a No. 5 national ranking, the highest in school history after posting their second 40-win season. Jarrett was the starting shortstop for the Seminoles from 1991-94 before being drafted and signed by the Colorado Rockies in 1994. During his five-year stint in the Rockies organization, Jarrett spent three seasons in New Haven, Conn. where he posted a .303 average and set a personal best 18-game hitting streak in 1997. In 1994, while in the Northwest League, he took home the "Most Spectacular Defensive Player" award for his outstanding play. He finished his Florida State career with a .279 batting average and holds the FSU career records for consecutive games played (235), at bats (989) and assists (802). Jarrett was a two-time NCBWA All-American as well as an All-ACC selection in 1993 and 1994. While he was at Florida State, Jarrett helped lead the Seminoles to three College World Series appearances (1991, '92 and '94) and became the all-time assist leader in the NCAA with 802 assists in 276 games played. From 1997-2002, Jarrett spent time as a College Baseball Analyst for the Sunshine Network and Fox Sports Net. His primary duties were to perform color commentary for 40-plus college baseball telecasts that aired on the Sunshine and Fox networks. Jarrett is married to the former Jennifer Skelton. They have two children, nine-year-old Justin (J.T.) and five-year-old daughter Dawson. |
||||||||||||||||
