Josh Newman

Bringing with him longstanding Big Ten Conference ties via his time at Ohio State and Penn State, former big leaguer Josh Newman joined Purdue baseball as the pitching coach in July 2023. Newman served as Penn State’s pitching coach for six seasons from 2018 to 2023. A three-time All-Big Ten honoree for the Buckeyes from 2001 to 2004, Newman coached at Ohio State (2011-13) and Marshall (2014-17) after his playing career ended. He has helped develop 13 pitchers into MLB Draft picks. Penn State had seven pitchers drafted during Newman’s tenure. That group featured the highest-selected lefty in program history (Dante Biasi, 6th round in 2019), another top 10 rounds selection in 2021 (Conor Larkin, 9th round) and Daniel Ouderkirk (18th round) this month. The Nittany Lions were one of only four teams nationally to have all three members of their weekend rotation drafted in 2021. “We’re thrilled to add Josh to our program to leading the pitching staff at Alexander Field,” Goff said. “His staffs at Penn State and Marshall always made things tough on the lineups I put together. Josh’s pitchers are well prepared and demonstrate a relentless mentality. He does an excellent job of developing pitchers, teaching them what it takes to excel at our level and professionally. His own experiences in pro ball and the big leagues will also be beneficial to our players. He’s a family man and has demonstrated a remarkable worth ethic.” Penn State set a program record with 503 strikeouts (9.24 K/9) in 2022, marking the third time in the last four full seasons the pitching staff reached the 400-K mark. In their 55 games that season, the Lions racked up 10-plus strikeouts 21 times and surrendered three earned or fewer 16 times. The team strikeout record was initially eclipsed with 491 Ks in Newman’s second season (2019), leading the Big Ten and ranking ninth nationally with 10.1 K/9. Newman’s instrumental role in Penn State’s pitcher development dovetailed with his use of cutting-edge technology, including TrackMan, Edgertronic, K-Vest and Rapsodo systems. The Lions were also renowned around the league the last few years for their balanced pitching approach. In 2022, eight PSU pitchers made at least one start and earned at least one save. This past season, that same list was at six pitchers. Goff and Newman were also in opposite dugouts during league play in 2015 and 2016, first crossing paths in Conference USA. Newman’s pitching staff helped Marshall win a team-record 34 games and finish second in the C-USA standings in 2016, ahead of Goff’s 40-win NCAA Regional team at Louisiana Tech. Three of the Thundering Herd’s pitchers were named all-conference that season, headlined by all-time wins leader Chase Boster. JD Hammer was one of the three Marshall pitchers drafted that year and made it to the big leagues with the Philadelphia Phillies. “My family and I are excited about this opportunity in West Lafayette,” Newman said. “Greg Goff, Purdue and the Big Ten makes for an elite trio of factors that attracted me to this position. Going back to our weekend series against each other in Conference USA, I’ve admired the way Greg runs his program and prepares the players. I’m eager to begin working with the pitching staff and lead the development of Boilermakers on the mound.” D1Baseball.com has named Newman among its list of “top, up-and-coming” assistant coaches. Newman was selected in the 2003 and 2004 MLB Drafts and pitched professionally for six seasons. He made his big league debut with the Colorado Rockies in 2007 and was on the active roster for the World Series that fall. He pitched for the both the Rockies and Kansas Royals the following season. A three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and 2004 graduate of Ohio State, Newman returned to Columbus in time for the 2010-11 school year when he joined the new coaching staff assembled by Greg Beals. The Buckeyes’ overall win total improved every year he was on staff, highlighted by a 35-win campaign in which OSU finished second in the Big Ten in 2013. Ohio State had three pitchers drafted during his years on staff and saw its ERA drop by 1.70 points over the three seasons, highlighted by a 3.24 mark in 2013. Newman was in the visiting dugout when Purdue’s Alexander Field hosted its first games in March 2013. He also coached at Alexander with Penn State in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2023. Newman was a workhorse and four-year member of OSU’s weekend rotation from 2001 to 2004, finishing his career ranked among the top three in team history in wins (32), innings pitched (369) and strikeouts (291). The Buckeyes compiled a 161-84-1 record (77-42 Big Ten) during his career, winning the league’s regular-season title by a half-game over Purdue in 2001 and consecutive Big Ten Tournament titles in 2002 and 2003. The Buckeyes finished no worse than second in the standings all four years and qualified for three consecutive NCAA Regionals (2001-03). Selected in the 31st round of the 2003 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds a few days after Ohio State had won an NCAA Regional at Auburn, Newman opted to return for his senior season. He went on to earn first-team All-Big Ten honors, striking out 100 batters in 103 1/3 innings. The Rockies drafted Newman in the 19th round in 2004. He was also a Freshman All-American in 2001. As a Buckeye, Newman pitched at Purdue’s Lambert Field in both 2003 and 2004. Newman and his wife, Sarah, are the parents of three children – daughter Ayda and sons Kash and Miller. NEWMAN'S COACHING CAREER BY SEASON Purdue – Hired in July 2023 Penn State – 2018-23 Marshall – 2014-17 Ohio State – 2011-13