< PreviousHigh quality, compassionate health care eamc.org19 COACH BUTCH THOMPSON Butch Thompson was named Auburn’s head baseball coach on October 22, 2015 and enters his seventh season with the Tigers in 2022. Thompson, who spent three seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Auburn from 2006-08, returned to the Plains after seven seasons at Mississippi State as both associate head coach and pitching coach from 2009-15. He has also made stops as an assistant coach at Georgia (2002-05), Birmingham Southern (1994-96, 1998-2001) and Huntingdon College (1993) and was the head coach at Jefferson State Community College in 1997. A native of Amory, Mississippi, Thompson has coached 31 Division I All-Americans and 40 all-conference performers. He has seen 18 of his former pitchers make their Major League Baseball debuts, including 12 since 2014. Thompson has also turned 33 pitchers who went undrafted out of high school into MLB draft picks, including the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, Casey Mize. With Tanner Burns also going as a supplemental first round pick in 2020, Auburn became one of four programs with a pair of pitchers drafted in the first round from 2018-20. In 29 years of coaching at the collegiate level, including 20 in the Southeastern Conference, Thompson has coached eight College World Series participants, most recently leading the Tigers to the program’s first trip to the College World Series in 22 years in 2019. Thompson has also coached one national champion and a national runner-up, won nine conference championships and made 17 postseason appearances. He has also served as an assistant under three National Coach of the Year recipients. Thompson earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History at Birmingham Southern in 1992 and completed a Master’s Degree in Sports Administration at UAB in 1996. He is married to the former Robin Ashe of Birmingham, Ala., and they are the parents of three daughters - Anna, Olivia and Madelyn Gail. BUTCH THOMPSON Head Coach CLICK FOR FULL BIO20 FACILITY UPDATES AUBURN BASEBALL DEDICATES PLAYER DEVELOPMENT CENTER With support from two dozen former players including program legends Tim Hudson and Josh Donaldson, Auburn dedicated its new Player Development Center Friday at Plainsman Park. Sixty-nine families, individuals and foundations gave $4.8 million to construct the 7,100-square-foot facility, which opened in January. The Josh Donaldson Hitting Lab is named in recognition of a lead gift from Donaldson, who starred for the Tigers from 2005-07 before embarking on a big-league career that’s in its second decade. “Auburn played a huge role in where I am today,” said Donaldson, the 2015 American League Most Valuable Player, via video. “I’m very thankful and grateful for the opportunities that were put in front of me there. I believe every Auburn athlete should have the opportunity to reach the highest of levels.” Auburn named its clubhouse after Hudson, who led the Tigers to the 1997 College World Series, won 222 Major League Baseball games and returned to his alma mater to serve as pitching coach. Hudson attended the beginning of the ceremony before returning to the bullpen to warm up pitchers for the final game of Auburn’s Fall World Series. “We wouldn’t be where we are without Auburn baseball,” said Kim Hudson, Tim’s wife. “Coach Baird is one of the biggest reasons why Tim became the baseball player and the man that he is. Tim loves Auburn baseball. It’s part of our history, part of our present and probably part of our future, too. “It’s a great place to invest your resources and we definitely see fruit from that.” Auburn named archways at Samford Stadium after Joey Pierson and Keith Jones, two longtime Auburn baseball supporters. “I love Auburn baseball and the direction we’re in,” said Jones, a fixture at Plainsman Park. “I love this facility, and I know this isn’t the last thing we’re doing here, which makes me extremely happy,” said Pierson. “I love Auburn and what we’re doing with this baseball program. Can’t wait to see what we keep doing.” “As a coach, you’re either trying to get momentum, or you’re trying to keep it,” said Butch Thompson, in his seventh season leading the Tigers. “When we get it, we keep it, and we wouldn’t have that opportunity without the people in this room.” Auburn’s winningest coach, Hal Baird, noted how the development center will benefit current student-athletes while helping attract future Tigers. “It’s great to see the facility upgrade, particularly in an area which is going to have an impact on our ball club,” said former coach Baird, who amassed 634 wins while coaching the Tigers from 1985-2000. “We’ll see the results on the field. “The most important day, other than any game day, is signing day, and this is a part of signing day. We’ve got to bring in kids who understand they can be as good as they possibly can be if they come here. 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