Miami’s J.D. Arteaga dips into Boston Red Sox organization for newest Hurricanes hire
New University of Miami baseball coach J.D. Arteaga has announced his second hire.
The Hurricanes announced Friday that long-time Boston Red Sox organization assistant Darren Fenster has joined UM as an assistant coach — one of three paid assistant coaches that the NCAA allows in baseball.
The release did not specify Fenster’s exact responsibilities, but he has spent the last 12 years with the Red Sox organization, including six years as a manager in the minor leagues.
Fenster, 44, worked as the minor league infield coordinator and minor league outfield and base running coordinator over the past five years, so he will likely have the role of infield or outfield coach as one of his responsibilities. Arteaga on June 29 named Laz Guitierrez, who played at Miami and spent the last four years as the coach at Division II Nova Southeastern University, as the UM pitching coach.
“Darren brings a wealth of experience and a championship pedigree to our program,’’ Arteaga said in a release. “Having worked extensively with the Red Sox and Team USA, as well as at the collegiate level with Rutgers, he has helped shape many of the stars in our game today. Darren is a tactician and a tireless worker, and I’m looking forward to his impact on the growth and development of our student-athletes.’’
Fenster has worked with the U.S. National Baseball Team since 2021. He was the third-base coach for the latest Olympics in Tokyo, at which the U.S. won the silver medal.
“One thing about @JDArteaga33, he’s putting together a great coaching staff... @CanesBaseball and future is looking [thumbs up]!!!’’ former UM and former Major League Baseball star Yonder Alonso posted on Twitter after the announcement.
Before he joined the Red Sox, Fenster worked for five seasons at Rutgers as the director of operations who helped the Scarlet Knight win the 2007 Big East title. He was a two-time Rutgers All-American shortstop and four-year starter from 1997 through 2000 and is a member of the Rutgers Athletic Hall of Fame. He holds the program record for hits, doubles, at-bats and single-season hits.
UM still hasn’t specified who will serve as recruiting coordinator and hitting coach.
Arteaga was promoted to Miami’s head coach on June 26 after former coach Gino DiMare announced that he was stepping down.
This story was originally published July 14, 2023 at 3:28 PM.
