New Orleans head baseball coach Bruce Peddie added a familiar face on the local baseball scene to his coaching staff by announcing the hiring of James Jurries on Nov. 7, 2012.
“I’m very excited to announce the hiring of James Jurries as the newest member of our coaching staff,” said Peddie. “After an outstanding playing career at Tulane and with the Atlanta Braves, James brings unbelievable energy and passion for the game.”
“He will run the offense and take over the third base coaching duties for the program.”
A former standout at Tulane, Jurries joins the UNO program after most recently spending the last three seasons as an assistant coach at the Uptown school.
"I am very excited about joining the UNO baseball family,” said Jurries. “Before I was hired, Coach Peddie and I sat down to discuss the future and direction of UNO baseball.”
“A couple of minutes into our conversation, I could tell this was the right place for me. I could hear the passion in his voice and see the direction he wanted to take the baseball program in. I am thankful for the opportunity and ready to work so we can develop our players not only on the field but in the classroom as well."
With the addition of Jurries to the staff, Peddie now has a full complement of coaches for the first time in his UNO head coaching tenure
“I want to thank Dr. Fos and our Athletic Director, Derek Morel for their vision and assistance in completing our staff and helping the program move back to NCAA Division I,” said Peddie. “This is the first time in my four years as the head coach, that I have had three full time members on staff which will ensure success on and off the field.”
“Justin Garcia returns for his third year as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator, Kal Bonura returns for his second season as the student assistant and first base Coach and now having James on board makes for a great staff.”
Jurries primarily worked with the outfielders on head coach Rick Jones’ staff at Tulane and as an assistant hitting coach. The Freeport, Texas native also handled first base coaching duties on game days while playing a key role in working with the base runners.
Jurries’ coaching efforts paid off as the Green Wave led Conference USA with a .305 batting average in 2012, while also pacing the league in four other categories.
Defensively, Tulane outfielders under Jurries’ watch eye boasted a fielding percentage of .978 while tallying 19 assists. A year prior, the 2011 squad posted a .983 fielding percentage with 12 assists.
The group accumulated five All-CUSA honors and six All-Louisiana team placements. Jeremy Schaffer highlighted the recognition by receiving All-America honors from College Sports Madness in 2012, while also earning a nod as a semifinalist for the prestigious Johnny Bench Award.
Prior to his return to Tulane, Jurries played five seasons in the Atlanta Braves organization from 2002 through 2006 after being drafted in the sixth round of the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.
The tenure in the minor leagues included parts of three seasons at the Triple-A level.
Jurries was named the Greenville Braves (AA) Player of the Year in 2003 and again earned that honor with the Richmond Braves (AAA) in 2005. His career batting average was .269, with 69 home runs, 101 doubles and 257 RBIs in 496 games.
Jurries followed his professional career with a two year stint coaching and teaching at Brazoswood High School, his alma mater. During the two seasons at BHS, the Bucs earned berths in the regional semifinals in 2010 and regional finals in 2009 while posting a combined record of 62-14. Two members of the squad earned All-State honors.
The first player in Tulane history across all sports to earn All-American and Academic All-American honors in the same season, Jurries completed his playing career at Tulane ranking amongst the top-ten in 27 categories, including a tie for the school-record in runs scored (284).
A Tulane Hall of Fame inductee, Jurries played 239 career games, was part of four consecutive trips to the NCAA Regionals and a 2001 appearance in the College World Series.
Jurries earned his Bachelor of Science in Management degree in Finance from Tulane in 2002. He is married to the former Kim Murrell.
JURRIES’ COLLEGIATE BASEBALL PROFILE
Freshman Season
Freshman All-American, including National Freshman of the Year by Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball and College Baseball Insider… Also earned First-Team All-Conference USA, C-USA Freshman of the Year while receiving All-America recognition from Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball Magazine, College Baseball Insider, Baseball Weekly and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association… First player in school history to earn Freshman of the Year honors, starting all 65 games at second base and leading the team in hits (104), runs scored (90), doubles (22), triples (4) and total bases (194)…Runs scored and total bases were single-season Tulane marks.
Sophomore Season
Led Tulane in runs scored (69) and repeated as All-CUSA performer… Also hit .338 with 20 doubles, 12 home runs and 51 RBIs while walking team-high 51 times and contributing a .465 on-base percentage.
Junior Season
Led Tulane to first-ever College World Series appearance as a junior, playing 50 games and batting .324 with 10 home runs and 53 RBIs, earning All-CUSA honors during a campaign which saw Tulane win both the C-USA regular season and tournament titles.
Senior Season
Became first Tulane player since 1985 to post batting average of .400 or better, earning C-USA Player of the Year and First-Team honors… Produced 96 hits, while batting .400 and contributing 20 home runs, 30 stolen bases and 74 RBIs… Accounted for a .750 slugging percentage, a .493 on-base percentage and 40 extra-base hits… Earned All-American from Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball Magazine and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association… Also named the NCBWA District VII Player of the Year and earned First Team All-Louisiana honors.
