Sidwell Joins JU Softball Staff

 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jacksonville University softball announced the addition of Jake Sidwell as an assistant coach on Tuesday.

Sidwell will focus on hitting instruction and also assist in recruiting efforts for the Dolphins.

"This is a huge hire for our program," said Head Coach Erica Ayers. "Not only has Jake proven he can develop hitters and recruit at the highest levels, he is the exact "right fit" for JU, our staff and our kids.

"Our values and what we deem important to the growth of the young women we are guiding everyday align perfectly."

Sidwell comes to JU from Virginia, where he served on the Cavaliers staff for the past four seasons. He primarily worked with the offense and hitters and was the program's recruiting coordinator. The offense at UVa saw steady year-over-year improvements under his tutelage, he oversaw the development of multiple All-ACC selections in 2022 and 2023 and the recruiting classes he helped build were ranked in the top-30 nationally each of the last three years.

Prior to his time in Charlottesville, he worked in baseball for several years. He spent one season as a volunteer assistant at George Washington, tutoring hitters and catchers. The year prior, he was a graduate assistant at VCU, managing the bullpen and helping with the pitchers.

A two-year team captain at Davidson, Sidwell was a standout catcher who was named a Rawlings Gold Glove finalist his senior season in 2017. That same year he helped the Wildcats win the Atlantic 10 Championship and the Chapel Hill Regional, when he showed an early propensity for coaching by calling the pitches for the team that season. The Windermere, Florida native was drafted in the 39th round of the 2013 MLB Draft out of Olympia High School.

"Dolphin Nation will absolutely love Jake and I can't wait for him to get started," said Ayers.