Achilles will get a chance to run his own program after being tabbed coach of the Bears after the 2014 season concluded.

It’s been a fast rise for Achilles, who graduated from Wake Forest in 2006. He spent time at Charlotte, Wake Forest, Western Carolina and Georgetown before arriving at Brown as an assistant two seasons ago. 

Achilles took time to answer questions from CBI about his first head coaching job.

First Inning – You’re a D-I head coach less than 10 years after graduating from Wake Forest. Could you have envisioned that when you got into coaching after graduating in 2006?

Although the opportunity to lead as the head baseball coach at Brown University is a dream come true, I never imagined that it would happen this soon when I first started coaching. Upon graduation, my minimal knowledge of recruiting, administrative duties and equipment – some of the facets of a coach’s life that you have very little, if any, idea about as a player – had me working overtime to simply make the transition from cleats to turfs. The more time I spent around other coaches, it became apparent that the moment I stopped trying to learn and better myself would be the impetus for the end of my coaching career.  

Second Inning – Why did you decide to get into coaching?

In addition to my dad, the most influential male role models that I had in my life were the coaches that I played for. I was a very average player but was fortunate to interact with great people that helped shape me in a positive way and showed tremendous confidence in me and my teammates. However, I have also seen other leaders have the completely opposite effect on their players. I can’t think of a better job than to teach the game I love and lead a program through the process of striving for a championship, all while building an environment where the players mature and prepare for life after baseball.

Third Inning – Who are a couple of your coaching influences?

I have been fortunate to be around some amazing coaches, and even better men. My coach at Wake Forest, George Greer, is someone that I remain in contact with today because of the relationship we built. I am grateful to Loren Hibbs (Charlotte) for giving me my first opportunity to coach, and Pete Wilk (Georgetown) for my first paid recruiting job. Last but not least, Tom Walter has been and continues to be one of my greatest mentors.  

Fourth Inning – You got your feet wet as a head coach midway through last season at Brown. How was the transition from assistant to head coach?

While last season’s transition wasn’t exactly what I would call easy, it could have definitely been more difficult. Our players showed tremendous character and responded to the adversity of a mid-season coaching change remarkably well. That alone made a tremendous difference in the job before us as a staff. To stand side by side with my good friend (and current hitting coach) Mike McCormack through this challenge, I had full confidence that we would make the best of the final few weeks of the year.

Fifth Inning – What are some of the Bears’ strengths heading into 2015?

Our team returns a solid core of veteran position players and pitchers. This fall, the biggest difference our staff noticed was the attention to detail in the ways our team prepared. We have become more focused on process than result, and our approach to the mental game has shown immediate results in productivity.

Sixth Inning – What are some of your immediate goals for Brown Baseball?

My immediate goal for Brown Baseball is to compete for an Ivy League championship and give ourselves an opportunity at a Regional bid. The league is extremely competitive, but our goal will always be to compete for a championship.

Seventh Inning – What are three things you look for in recruiting hitters?

The offensive game has changed in the past few years with the BBCOR bats, and it may shift again with the introduction of the new baseballs. Our staff philosophy is to recruit towards an offense that combines both action and power. Personally, I look for a hitter that can get himself to second base – either a singles guy with the ability to steal bases or someone that can hit the gaps consistently. Second, I like hitters that have a good base of mechanics: base, stride and hand load. Third, I look for a player that shows the ability to have the makings of a good physical and mental approach at the plate. At the end of the day, we want hitters that are able to make others around them better by the way they play the game.

Eighth Inning – Describe how recruiting in the Ivy League is similar or different to other places you’ve coached.

Recruiting in the Ivy League is similar to several other places I have coached because of the types of players we are pursuing – exceptional academically, very analytical and extremely driven both on and off of the field. The main difference is that no Ivy League institution offers athletic aid. Although that seems like a major challenge, the offer of an education that alters the next 40 years of the player’s life is something than many families value more than a four-year scholarship.

Ninth Inning – What is your favorite baseball movie, and why?

I’d have to say that my favorite baseball movie is Bull Durham. Instead of focusing on so much of the prestige of professional baseball but closer to the reality (in some respects) of life in the minor leagues.