J.D. Arteaga says it is 'truly an honor' to become Miami's next baseball coach

J.D. Arteaga, the new Miami head coach, talked with the media last week ahead of his welcome reception with alumni. The life-long member of the Hurricanes community is still reveling in his opportunity after being hired for the role in June.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am and grateful I am to be here and have this opportunity to be the head coach at the program that I grew up watching, grew up playing in, coaching for the last 21 years,” Arteaga said to the media. “It truly is an honor. Looking forward to the task at hand and really continuing the success that we’ve had over the last 50 years.”

Arteaga was born in Miami and went to high school at Miami Westminster Christian. During his career as a pitcher with the Hurricanes — during which the team made the Men’s College World Series all four years he was there with one runner-up finish — he won 12 games as a junior and 11 games a senior. Arteaga finished his college career as the program’s all-time wins leader with 43 and the all-time starts leader with 72.

He was drafted in the 54th round of the 1996 MLB Draft and the 26th round of the 1997 MLB Draft.

The southpaw maxed out his professional career at the Triple-A level, spending two-and-a-half seasons at the level. His professional career ended with a 46-34 record in 172 games with 80 starts in six seasons in the New York Mets and Houston Astros organizations. He had a 3.40 ERA and 1.298 WHIP.

Arteaga retired from professional baseball to accept a role as Miami’s pitching coach under Jim Morris. He stayed on when Gino DiMare was promoted, marking 21 years as the pitching coach for the program.

As an assistant coach, Arteaga coached in eight Men’s College World Series and two ACC Pitchers of the Year in Cesar Carrillo and Chris Diaz.

Now at 48 and soon-to-be 49 years old, Arteaga is getting his chance to run the program in his image as head coach.

“I’m really looking forward to the task at hand, continuing the success we’ve had here the last 15 years,” Arteaga said. “This season and every season beyond it’s a tone of mental toughness. … At the end of the day you have to be the best version of you every time you step on that field. All I’m asking is their best version every time out.”