Head Coach James Grandey

Contact information for Coach Grandey
Office phone: 419-358-3292
Email: grandeyj@bluffton.edu

James Grandey is entering his eighth year as head baseball coach at Bluffton University. He is confident that the Beavers are moving in the right direction. "We have worked extremely hard as a program during the past seven years," explained Coach Grandey. "We have a strong foundation for the future. Through continued hard work and improvement, we will be able to take the next step."

Grandey's tenure has been full of highs and lows, including the March 2, 2007, bus accident that claimed the lives of five of his players and left many others sidelined with serious injuries.

The Beavers have created a reputation as one of the HCAC's top offensive teams under Coach Grandey. The Bluffton University baseball team shattered numerous hitting records again in 2010, a common theme during Grandey's tenure as head coach. The Beavers' 424 hits, 31 home runs and 618 total bases in 2010 all set new standards for Bluffton University baseball. Also topping the team single-season list was 239 runs batted in.

Despite just missing their goal of a school-record 18 victories, the Beavers demonstrated that they could play with anybody, going 7-5 in their last 12 games after sweeping NCAA-qualifier Thomas More on the road and handling Cedarville 13-3 in a mercy-rule victory.

Before coming to Bluffton, Grandey served as a graduate assistant on the Muskingum College baseball and football coaching staff as he worked towards his master's degree.

Grandey earned a bachelor and master's degree from Muskingum College in 1999 and 2002, respectively, and was a standout student-athlete while playing for the Muskies. As a senior, he earned first team All-Ohio Athletic Conference honors in both football and baseball and was named first team All-Mideast Region in baseball, as well. Grandey's academic career was just as impressive, as he earned Academic All-OAC honors as a sophomore, junior and senior and was named first team CoSIDA Academic All-American in baseball as a senior.

Grandey resides in Bluffton with his wife, Jessica, three-year-old daughter, Ayla Marie, and infant daughter Lainey Mays.

   

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 Assistant Coach Aaron Hutchison

Contact information for Coach Hutchison
Office phone: 419-358-3354
Email: hutchisona@bluffton.edu

Aaron Hutchison is starting his first season as the graduate assistant coach for the Bluffton University baseball team. Hutchison attended Whitehall High School in Whitehall, Ohio, before making his mark on the baseball field at Otterbein College. He was a four-year letter winner for the Cardinals, playing in the outfield and behind the plate. 

Hutchison was selected the Ohio Athletic Conference tournament MVP during his junior campaign and he was a member of three OAC championship teams while at Otterbein. In addition, he was selected OAC All-Conference and All-Academic while being named to the Deans List at Otterbein.

Since completing his degree at Otterbein, Hutchison has been coaching baseball at various levels for the past two years. He was the head junior varsity baseball coach at Whitehall-Yearling High School in between two summers in Sweden where he served as the head coach of the Gefle Baseball Club. Hutchison has been the coordinator for the Elite Baseball Showcase in Columbus for the past year and most recently he was an assistant for the Licking County Settlers in Newark, Ohio. His experience also includes a season as an assistant with his alma mater.

Hutchison graduated from Otterbein College in 2008 with a bachelor of arts in business administration.

Along with his coaching duties, Hutchison is taking classes in pursuit of a master's in business administration while at Bluffton.

Hutchison will reside in Bluffton.