Rob McCoy is cashing in and so is his longtime assistant Matt Spatafora.
After 15 seasons as Niagara’s head coach and two as an assistant, McCoy accepted a job in the same position at William & Mary Thursday. McCoy is fresh off leading the Purple Eagles to their first MAAC tournament championship and first appearance in the NCAA tournament, all while winning a school-record 38 games.
McCoy went 299-460-3 at Niagara, while producing six Major League Baseball draft picks in Wynton Bernard (2012), Jordan Schwartz (2014), Daniel Procopio (2017), Tanner Kirwer (2017), Greg Cullen (2018) and Matt Brash (2019). Current Niagara player Eric Rataczak is playing the MLB Draft League.
Now McCoy returns to Virginia, where he completed his Master’s degree at the University of Virginia and was an assistant at James Madison before arriving at Niagara. McCoy takes over old Canisius nemesis Mike McRae, who was William & Mary’s head coach from 2022-2024.
“I am forever indebted to (athletic director) Simon Gray and Niagara University President Father James J. Maher for their patience, confidence, and investment so we could take this program to new heights,” McCoy said in a statement. “… The program is in a great place and I look forward to following the success of these special young men.”
Spatafora, who has been an assistant and recruiting coordinator for McCoy for the last 12 years, will take over as the program’s interim head coach. A Toronto native, Spatafora has helped create an influx of Canadian players on the roster, with 15 on last year’s squad after having fewer than 10 when he arrived.
“(McCoy) and Matt Spatafora have provided a program that exemplifies our core values of integrity, commitment, and excellence,” Gray said. “While we are sorry that Rob will no longer be with us, we are so happy for him and his wonderful family in this new opportunity. I am excited that Coach Spatafora will fulfill this enhanced role and we very much look forward to continuing the championship standard for Niagara Baseball.”