USA – University of Michigan head baseball coach Rich Maloney has announced the addition of Brant Ust to his coaching staff as a volunteer assistant. Ust, who was the Big East Player of the Year and an All-American in 1998 at Notre Dame, replaces Aaron Hepner on Maloney’s staff. Hepner took an assistant coaching position at Eastern Michigan (Dec. 4).

A native of Brussels, Belgium, Ust will be in his first season as a coach and will work with the outfielders and will work with batters for the Wolverines.

“We are very fortunate to add someone with such a wealth of experience to our staff,” said Maloney. “Brant has an outstanding background of success at the college and professional level. He played under two great coaches who I have a great deal of respect for in Paul Maneiri (LSU) and Brian O’Connor (Virginia). He will bring his wealth of experience as a standout collegian and nine years of professional playing experience to our staff.”

During his collegiate career at Notre Dame, Ust racked up accolades at a prolific pace. A three-time All-Big East first team honoree, Ust was named the conference Player of the Year as a sophomore. Splitting time between shortstop and third base, Ust earned a pair of All-America honors in his sophomore season and was a sixth round draft choice of the Detroit Tigers. Ust spent nine seasons in professional ball with the Tigers, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Ust also brings international experience to Michigan as a member of the USA Baseball (1998, 2005) and the Great Britain National Team (2007-08). Ust was honored by his homeland as the British Olympic Association Baseball Athlete of the Year in 2007.

Ust is no stranger to U-M, having spent seven months as an assistant strength and conditioning coach.

Ust and his wife Jessica reside in Ann Arbor and are expecting the birth of their first child in March.

Courtesy of the University of Michigan Athletics

Tags: Belgium, NCAA