Wayne State University Director of Athletics Rob Fournier announced the promotion of Jay Alexander to head baseball coach on December 11, 2002. Alexander, who had served as the assistant coach since 1998, became the eighth head coach in WSU history and is entering his sixth year at the helm.

He replaced Rod George who passed away in October 2002 as the all-time leader for baseball coaching victories at WSU with 272.

The 2005 "Rodger George Coach of the Year", Alexander led his alma mater to the regular-season title and the No. 1 seed in the league tournament with a 19-8 conference mark. The 2005 squad tied the school record with 32 regular-season wins and helped the program record its first-ever trip to the NCAA tournament. In addition, shortstop Frank Jeney was named GLIAC Player of the Year.

In his first season as head coach, Alexander led the Warriors to a 22-26 overall record, the most wins by any first-year coach in WSU history. For the first time since 2001, the Warriors landed two players on the All-GLIAC First Team as Frank Jeney and Bobby Marten were honored under Alexander. In all, Alexander has coached six All-Great Lakes Region players, 23 All-GLIAC selections, three All-GLIAC Tournament team players and has landed 32 on the GLIAC All-Academic squad in his first four seasons.

Under Alexander, Wayne State also had its first player sign a major league contract since 1999 when Randy Surratt joined the Chicago White Sox organization after WSU's 2003 season. Then in 2005, RHP Steve Squires became the first Wayne State player to be selected in the Major League draft when the White Sox picked him in the 49th round.

A native of Detroit, Alexander has been a part of Wayne State baseball since 1991. He played shortstop and center field at Wayne State and was a steady player in his sophomore and junior years, but excelled his senior year. In his last year, Alexander led the Warriors in hits, runs scored, stolen bases and batting average, while also being ranked nationally in those same categories. For his play, Alexander earned First Team All-GLIAC and All-Regional honors.

"Jay continues the legacy of Coach George and the teaching skills and emphasis on academics so important to the success of our overall athletic program," said Fournier. "His familiarity with our systems and personnel is an added bonus that furthers underscores his qualifications. He has already ably guided our program through a difficult season in 2002 and I look forward to his personal direction that will further develop our long-term objectives for the baseball team."

He graduated from WSU in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies in history and later earn his master's of arts in human resource management at Marygrove College in 2002.

"I'm very excited to have an opportunity to work and coach at the institution where I've spent most of my career. It is a pleasure to have the chance to build upon the foundation Coach George has established," stated Alexander.

Alexander resides in Redford with his wife Kia.

Jay Alexander's WSU Coaching Career
	Overall				GLIAC
Year	GP	Won	Lost	Pct.	GP	Won	Lost	Pct.	Finish	Notes
2003	48	22	26	.458	26	10	16	.385	5th
2004	53	25	28	.472	26	14	12	.538	4th	GLIAC Tournament
2005	51	32	19	.627	27	19	8	.704	1st (RS)	GLIAC Tourn./NCAA Tourn./School Record 32 Wins
2006	53	19	34	.358	31	17	14	.548	4th	GLIAC Tournament
2007	51	29	22	.569	30	17	13	.567	5th
Career	256	127	129	.496	140	77	63	.550	-------------------- Five Seasons --------------------