Donnie Marbut, former head coach of the Washington State Cougars of the Pac-12, was named Thursday as the West Coast League鈥檚 new president.
[Marbut] brings a profile as a former Division 1 coach,鈥� said Victoria HarbourCats general manager Jim Swanson, who was on the selection committee.
鈥淲e鈥檙e really excited about him. He is forward thinking.鈥�
After Washington State, Marbut worked in scouting for the Houston Astros.
The 11-team WCL features collegiate players extending their seasons in summer baseball.
鈥淎fter making the decision to work in professional baseball with the Astros . . . the thought of assuming a leadership position with the West Coast League as its president was intriguing to me,鈥� said Marbut, in a statement.
鈥淭he position is a natural fit.鈥�
Marbut took over WSU in 2005 at age 29 and guided the Cougars to a 314-304 record over 11 NCAA seasons.
He takes over from interim president Holly Jones, the WCL vice-president and first GM of the HarbourCats. The previous two WCL presidents were Dennis Koho, former mayor of Keizer, Oregon, from 2013-15 and MLB play-by-play broadcaster Ken Wilson from 2009-13.
鈥淭he stability of the league is outstanding,鈥� said Swanson.
The Victoria GM is also a member of the expansion committee, which Swanson said eventually wants to grow the league to between 12 to 16 franchises.
The HarbourCats are entering their fourth season in the WCL and led the league in average attendance each of the past two seasons (1,910 in 2015 and 1,576 in 2014) and were second in 2013 (1,437).
Victoria opens the 2016 WCL season June 3 in Walla Walla, Washington, against the Sweets. The HarbourCats鈥� home opener is June 7 against the Wenatchee AppleSox at Royal Athletic Park.
