July 29, 2010

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Jesse Woods, who has spent the last three seasons coaching at Boston College, has been hired as an assistant coach at the University of Notre Dame, head baseball coach Mik Aoki announced Thursday. Woods will serve as the Irish outfield coach while assisting Joe Hastings with the program’s recruiting efforts and hitters.

“I am thrilled that Jesse has joined our staff,” Aoki said. “He brings tremendous experience after three years in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Jesse really knows what it takes to win and will make our program better. He has the motivation to excel and I know, both the student-athletes we have on the team and future recruits, will benefit greatly from him joining the staff.”

“I am very excited to be a part of the coaching staff at Notre Dame,” Woods said. “It is a fantastic opportunity to work at such a prestigious institution as Notre Dame. I look forward to the challenge ahead as we strive toward our ultimate goal of Omaha.”

In addition to his recruiting duties with the Eagles, Woods worked with the Boston College outfielders and hitters. He has developed three of the premier outfielders in New England and the Atlantic Coast Conference since his arrival in 2008. Barry Butera was drafted in the 21st round of the MLB First-Year Player Draft in 2009. Robbie Anston established himself as one of the best leadoff hitters in the country in 2009 and earned all-ACC second team honors. Anston was drafted in the 26th round of the 2010 draft, while John Spatola was nabbed in the 35th round.

Anston started all 118 games over the past two years at Boston College. He ranks 10th all-time in school history with 122 career runs scored. In 2010, Anston led the Eagles in doubles (21), triples (6) and steals (18), was second in batting (.324), on-base percentage (.409), runs (55) and hits (77) and third in slugging (.525), total bases (125) and walks (25). He also hit five home runs and drove in 35 runs. As a junior, Anston set the single-season Boston College hits record with 85.

Spatola, a former walk-on, went from a role player in 2009 to a power hitting every day starter in 2010. He entered this past season with five career home runs, but slammed 17, which is the third most in Boston College single-season history. Spatola also led the Eagles in RBI with 61.

Spatola was second on the squad in slugging (.596), total bases (136) and steals (13) and was third in runs (47), hits (72) and triples (2). He batted .316 on the year with nine doubles and a .398 on-base percentage.

Woods came to Boston College after three seasons as an assistant coach at Wheaton College (Mass.). While at Wheaton, Woods assisted with recruiting, game management tasks, implementing practice schedules and off-field conditioning. Woods helped Wheaton win three New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Championships and advanced to the NCAA Regional Tournament all three seasons. In 2006, Wheaton advanced to the Division III National Championship game.

Prior to his coaching career, Woods played first base, catcher and outfield at Wheaton from 2001-04. He and his teammates captured three NEWMAC Championships and made three regional appearances. Woods was voted co-captain by his teammates prior to the start of the 2004 season.

Woods graduated with a degree in history from Wheaton in 2004.

— ND —