The Florence RedWolves are pleased to announce that Chris Kemp, an assistant coach from Spartanburg Methodist College, will be the head coach for the 2010 season.  Kemp served as an assistant to former RedWolves assistant coach Jeff Wicker on the coaching staff of the Outer Banks Daredevils in 2009.

Kemp played for SMC in 2002 & 2003 and played in 119 games finishing with a .368 average, then he played for the University of Tennessee from 2004 –2006.  He played in 112 games for the Volunteers with a .298 career average. Kemp was drafted in 2006 by the Texas Rangers, where he played in 115 games with four different affiliates, posting a .243 average.

In 2008, Kemp retired from baseball and began his coaching career with his former team at Spartanburg Methodist.  In two seasons so far at SMC, he has helped the team to a 100-24 record including a 55-9 record in 2009 which was second-best in the country for Junior College teams.  SMC played in the NJCAA World Series in 2009 and SMC had 12 players sign to attend Division 1 schools this fall.

In 2009, while at Outer Banks, Kemp helped lead the Daredevils to a first half north division title and finished third overall in the league tournament. The Daredevils posted an overall record of 34-25. Outer Banks finished second in the league in batting average at .268, and first in the league in hits with 508.

“We are very happy to have coach Kemp come in as our head coach for 2010,” said Florence general manager Jamie Young. “He will be a good fit for us as he already has CPL league experience, and he has always played and coached with winning programs. We believe he will continue the trend that Florence has had of putting a good product on the field and being a contender for the CPL league championship each year. Hopefully this will be the year we can bring it home. 

“We were sad when coach Wes Davis informed us that he would not be returning, but we understood. Davis gave us two great summers and almost won it all in 2008.  It’s just tough when you live across the country to be away from you wife and family for three months and he wants to stay closer to home next summer. Kemp has already hit the ground running - talking to schools and getting players lined up for 2010. He is excited about the head coaching job and he knows what the organization expects; and we believe he will continue to follow the path that has been laid the last few years by Davis, (Sean) Heffernan, (Scott) Brickman and (Todd) Whitehead.

The Florence RedWolves are a member of the Coastal Plain League. The CPL is the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Heading into its 14th season, the Coastal Plain League features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at http://www.coastalplain.com. 

Jamie Young

(843) 629-0700