The 2014 season marks Husky skipper Neil McPhee’s 29
th and final season as head coach at Northeastern. He is the longest tenured coach in program history, just in front of McPhee’s own coach John “Tinker” Connelly.
McPhee announced his retirement in August 2013. One month later, NU named current head assistant coach Mike Glavine as the program’s next head coach. Glavine will assume head-coaching duties following the 2014 season.
McPhee, a standout student-athlete at Northeastern in both baseball and ice hockey, took the helm of the NU program before the 1986 season and quickly turned the Huskies into perennial contenders. In 28 seasons, he has amassed 697 career wins, which rank in the top 50 nationally among active coaches and are the most by any coach of any sport in Northeastern history. He was inducted into the Northeastern University Varsity Club Hall of Fame in 1980 for his achievements as a student-athlete.
McPhee has guided the Huskies to an amazing 19 winning seasons and postseason appearances in 16 of the last 22 years. Last season, he led Northeastern to a 31-26 record, a Beanpot title, and an appearance in the semifinal of the CAA tournament. During his tenure, NU has captured five conference championships and qualified for three NCAA tournaments.
McPhee has an excellent history of developing top prospects, including Rockies pitcher Adam Ottavino. Ottavino made strides as a Cardinals’ prospect in 2010, becoming the first Northeastern player to pitch in the major leagues. Ottavino played three years for the Huskies, and is currently NU’s all-time leader in strikeouts. He is the last Northeastern pitcher to toss a no-hitter.
Another McPhee product is first baseman Carlos Pena. Pena had a career year in 2007, in which he was named the American League Comeback Player of the Year and received the American League Silver Slugger Award at first base for the Tampa Bay Rays. He was critical during the Rays’ 2008 World Series run and won the 2008 Gold Glove Award at first base. In 2009, he tied for the American League lead in home runs with 39, while being named to his first American League All-Star team. Pena was a two-year letterman under McPhee from 1997-98 and was selected by the Texas Rangers with the 10th overall pick in the first round of the 1998 MLB Draft. He is the highest drafted player in any sport at Northeastern.
In total, McPhee has seen 14 of his players drafted by Major League teams over the last 12 seasons. In 2010, Charly Bashara signed with the Milwaukee Brewers organization as a non-drafted free agent. Bashara was one of two Brewers prospects selected to the 2010 Arizona League All-Star team, after posting a league-best 2.37 ERA, while leading the Brewers with five wins and 64 strikeouts.
In 2013, Aaron Barbosa signed with the Seattle Mariners, also as a non-drafted free agent. Barbosa is NU’s all-time leader in steals, and he amassed a .331 batting average through his three-year career with the Huskies.
Overall, McPhee has a record of 697-623-4 in 28 seasons at Northeastern. His 697 wins are the most of any coach of any sport in NU history. Under McPhee’s leadership, Northeastern qualified for the America East tournament every year from its inception in 1993 until NU joined the CAA in 2006. McPhee led the Huskies to America East titles in 1994, ‘97 and 2003. He was selected America East Coach of the Year in 1991 and ’94 and, in 1994, he also was voted the New England Div. I Coach of the Year.
McPhee joined Connelly in the NU Hall of Fame in 1980 for his accomplishments as a player in both baseball and hockey. Connelly, head coach of the Huskies from 1956-81 and a star second baseman himself, referred to McPhee as, “the best second baseman I ever had.” He was voted All-New England and All-Greater Boston League in each of his three varsity seasons. In 1964, McPhee led the club with a .333 average and 15 RBI, leadng the Huskies to the NCAA District I playoffs.
McPhee also impressed on the ice for the Huskies. During his two varsity seasons, he scored 35 goals and added 36 assists for a total of 71 points in 50 games. He was voted NU captain in 1964-65, but lost the year to a broken left arm suffered in the preseason.
After graduation, McPhee was a fifth-round draft choice of the Minnesota Twins. As a pro, McPhee joined the Wisconsin Rapids and was the Midwest League’s MVP and RBI leader in 1966. The feat earned him a spot on the ’66 Class A All-Star team. His professional odyssey also took him to stops in St. Cloud, Minn. and Wilson, N.C.
McPhee’s pro career ended in 1967 and he turned to coaching. He started at Newton South High School, where he coached both baseball and hockey from 1968-85. His Newton South baseball teams won several league titles and made numerous Eastern Massachusetts tournament appearances, twice advancing to the finals. In 1985, McPhee became the 10th baseball coach in Husky history and the fourth baseball alumnus to guide his alma mater.
McPhee graduated from Northeastern in 1968 and received a master’s degree from Boston State in 1978. He and his wife Sharon reside in Needham. The couple has three children, Heather, Jessica and Daniel, and five grandchildren.
McPhee's Coaching Record (All at Northeastern)
|
Year |
Overall |
Pct. |
Conf. (finish) |
Pct. |
|
1986 |
25-14 |
.641 |
9-5 (2) |
.643 |
|
1987 |
20-14 |
.588 |
9-6 |
.600 |
|
1988 |
19-23-1 |
.453 |
7-8 (5) |
.467 |
|
1989 |
21-20-1 |
.512 |
5-10 |
.333 |
|
1990 |
26-20 |
.565 |
9-6 (3) |
.600 |
|
1991 |
35-15 |
.700 |
12-3 (2) |
.800 |
|
1992 |
22-18-1 |
.549 |
16-12 (4) |
.571 |
|
1993 |
17-19 |
.472 |
7-14 (7) |
.333 |
|
1994 |
35-16 |
.686 |
18-6 (2) |
.750 |
|
1995 |
29-17 |
.630 |
16-8 (2) |
.667 |
|
1996 |
18-26 |
.409 |
11-11 (5) |
.500 |
|
1997 |
33-19 |
.635 |
12-12 (5) |
.500 |
|
1998 |
26-22 |
.542 |
17-9 (2) |
.654 |
|
1999 |
28-21 |
.571 |
18-10 (3) |
.643 |
|
2000 |
25-24 |
.510 |
15-11 (4) |
.577 |
|
2001 |
19-32 |
.373 |
11-17 (4) |
.393 |
|
2002 |
29-22 |
.569 |
11-11 (3) |
.500 |
|
2003 |
27-24 |
.529 |
12-10 (4) |
.545 |
|
2004 |
28-20 |
.583 |
14-6 (1) |
.700 |
|
2005 |
26-23 |
.531 |
14-6 (1) |
.700 |
|
2006 |
27-23 |
.540 |
19-10 (3) |
.655 |
|
2007 |
24-22 |
.522 |
12-17 (8) |
.414 |
|
2008 |
25-26-1 |
.490 |
12-17-1 (7) |
.417 |
|
2009 |
28-25 |
.528 |
13-11 (4) |
.542 |
|
2010 |
13-31 |
.295 |
5-19 |
.208 |
|
2011 |
18-33 |
.353 |
12-18 |
.400 |
|
2012 |
23-28 |
.451 |
13-17 |
.433 |
|
2013 |
31-26 |
.544 |
12-15 |
.444 |
|
Total |
697-623-4 |
.527 |
322-295-1 |
.522 |
