FDU Knights Athletics

Justin McKay is set for his first season at the helm of the Fairleigh Dickinson baseball program in 2019. 

McKay spent six seasons as the recruiting coordinator and offensive coach at FDU prior to his ascension to interim head coach in 2019.

Throughout his time coaching baseball, McKay has been recognized as one of the top offensive minds and recruiters in the northeast. He was voted the Top Recruiter in the Northeast Conference by his peers in the DIbaseball.com Top 30 Recruiters 2017 National Coaches Poll after assembling the first nationally ranked recruiting class in FDU Baseball history.

In 2016, the FDU offense finished #32 in the nation in batting average posting a .299 overall and .305 in NEC play. Finishing top 15 in the nation for the second straight year in stolen bases per game. The Knights held four of the top seven individual batting averages in the NEC - #1 Mike Veit (.382) #2 Matt McCann (.379), #3 Ryan Brennan (.370) and #7 Evan McDonald (.331). Highlighted with Senior Shortstop Matt McCann being selected in the 25th Round of the MLB Draft by the Angels. McCann was McKay’s third FDU recruit in 4 classes selected in the MLB Draft - Brendan Butler (2015) & Brett Bittiger (2016). 

During his time as assistant coach for the Knights, McKay has helped guide the program to setting a program record in conference wins, overall wins (tying - 1993 team) and produced the most statistically outstanding offensive year in program history (2016). Assisting coach Puccio in leading the team to the first NEC championship round this century. Under McKay’s tutelage, the program has set a record in doubles, total bases and stolen bases.

McKay served as assistant coach for the Knights from 2011-2013. During the 2012 season, the team compiled the most wins (25) since 1994. The team also produced the most wins in its Northeast Conference history (18) and played in its first NEC Tournament since 1999. Senior shortstop Ryan Kresky became the first student-athlete at FDU since 1994 to win the NEC Player of the Year award after hitting .371 on the season. Over his five seasons, McKay has coached 13 All-NEC position player selections.
 
McKay's national recruiting abilities earned him a selection to the 2014 United States National 18U Team - National Team Identification Series task force. His responsibilities included coaching, evaluating and selection of players to move forward in the process for the eventual gold medal winning 18U National Team.
 
Prior to returning to FDU, McKay was the co-creator of the MLB Bat Company Chandler Bats, nationally ranked Chandler World Teams travel ball organization. Directing 62 players from the three teams on to Division I programs and 12 players from McKay’s program were selected in the 2016 MLB Player Draft, which included a 1st round selection Dylan Carlson (33rd overall - Cardinals).
 
Prior to FDU, Coach McKay began as an assistant coach at Briarcliffe College under Coach Puccio. McKay's offensive philosophy played a big part in the school's second national title. The team never trailed a single-inning during the playoffs and won the championship game 16-4 as the team collected 18 hits in the victory. He coached 10 USCAA All-Americans in 2009 and 2010.
 
McKay played his college baseball for Briarcliffe College, a former nationally ranked Division I Junior College located in Long Island, N.Y. During his two years at Briarcliffe, he had a career batting average of .404. In 2006, he was a member of the school's first-ever USCAA National Title team and was named Captain for the 2007 season. Injuries to his ankle, wrist and back eventually cut his college career short. McKay finished in 2008, playing one season at Queens College helping the Knights to the most wins since the 2003 season.