A familiar face and name has returned to lead Georgia Gwinnett College's prominent NAIA baseball program, with Tommy Goodale being named the Office of Athletics' third head baseball coach, announced by Executive Athletics Director Dr. Ian Potter.

Goodale brings a wealth of coaching experience after stints at NCAA Division I and junior college ranks and returns to Lawrenceville after being an assistant coach during the Grizzlies' successful 2022 and 2023 seasons.

Goodale replaces Jeremy Sheetinger, who departed after six seasons for a leadership position within Major League Baseball's Washington Nationals minor league complex in West Palm Beach, Florida.

"Tommy made a lasting impression as an assistant during his time at Georgia Gwinnett College. He's an up-and-coming coach with a bright future and we are fortunate to have him lead GGC baseball into its next chapter," said Potter. "Tommy understands GGC Athletics, the championship tradition of GGC baseball, and the standard of excellence we expect across our athletic programs."

Goodale most recently was an assistant coach at perennial junior college powerhouse LSU Eunice. He led the program's offensive staff, primarily working outfielders. The team posted 70 home runs and a .340 team batting average during the 2025 season.

Between positions at GGC and LSU-Eunice, Goodale was the first base coach and outfield instructor at Division I Murray State University for the 2024 season. The Racers set team records with 464 runs scored, 591 hits, 102 home runs, and 437 runs batted in while compiling a 37-20 record.

"I am so honored and excited to be Georgia Gwinnett College's next head coach. I would like first thank God for letting me live out my dream of leading this great group of men. Second, I want to thank Dr. Ian Potter, (Vice President of Advancement and Community Engagement) Dr. Darin Wilson and Jeremy Sheetinger for their belief in me and for the opportunity to uphold the high standard of the Georgia Gwinnett College baseball program," said Goodale.

The Grizzlies won the 2021 NAIA national championship and have advanced to the Avista NAIA World Series for seven consecutive seasons, qualified for the national NAIA tournament in 11 of their 13 seasons, posted a 607-156 overall record (.796 winning percentage), and have had more than 50 players sign professional contracts.

GGC advanced to the semifinal round of the 2025 World Series, had a 56-7 record in 2025 and enter the 2026 season ranked No. 2 in the NAIA preseason poll.

"The opportunity to lead the Grizzlies is something I take with great responsibility," said Goodale. "The standard has been set high at Georgia Gwinnett College and I am excited to continue that tradition of excellence and lead these men on and off the field. Our goals do not change; we will compete at a high level and develop the person, student and player. We will continue to help our players write their stories and push them to be the best selfless version of themselves."

Goodale's coaching career started at St. Ambrose University (Iowa), his alma mater, in 2018 after being a team captain during his senior season. He then spent two seasons as a graduate assistant at Division I University of Southern Mississippi, specializing in facility management and game operations. Goodale was a hitting coach at Out Front Hitting in 2021 and the head post graduate coach at Combine Academy for one season. He also worked as an intern with the 2019 NCAA College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, and worked with Team MaxBat in 2015, conducting baseball skills showcases in 35 states.

Goodale earned a bachelor's degree in business management, with an emphasis in leadership, from St. Ambrose in 2018 and a master's degree in sports management from Southern Mississippi in 2020.

GGC is scheduled to begin the 2026 season on January 30 with games against Rust College (Mississippi) and Midway University (Kentucky) at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.