USA Baseball announced yesterday that Tulane coach Rick Jones will head its collegiate national team in 2009. Jones, who was Baseball America’s 2005 Coach of the Year, served as an assistant for Team USA in 1989 and 1990, when he served as pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. He performed the same duties for Georgia Tech from 1990-’93 before heading to Tulane and building the Green Wave into an annual contender, culminating in a College World Series run in 2005.

"This is a tremendous honor, and I am very excited to represent our country as the head coach of the USA Baseball national team," Jones said in a statement. "Having been an assistant coach on the 1989 and 1990 teams, I fully understand what a privilege and responsibility it is to put on the hat and jersey with our stars and stripes. I am looking forward to the 2009 tour in the states and abroad and leading our nation’s best players. This is a great opportunity for me to represent our country and Tulane University."

Eric Campbell, the general manager of the USA Baseball national team, said Jones’ prior stints with the team would be assets.

"It’s wonderful having Rick involved with the National Team program again," Campbell said. "His international experience will be invaluable as we begin to lay the groundwork for the 2009 team."