ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – After 14 years of service to Lewis University as the head coach of the baseball program, Tim McDonough announced his resignation on Tuesday (June 15) to pursue other professional interests.

"The past 14 years at Lewis have truly been amazing and I have loved coming to work here every day," McDonough said.  "Lewis is such a special place because of the tremendous people here and my family and I will miss it greatly.  There are too many people to thank, but I would like to especially thank Dan Schumacher for taking a chance on me and John Planek for his leadership, support and mentorship.  We would've never had any of the success we had without the terrific assistant coaches I was lucky to have and I have to particularly single out Mike Vucsko for his efforts and support. At the center of everything, however, are the student-athletes that I have had the honor and privilege to coach and learn from.  I will miss them the most and I will cherish the memories that we have had on and off the field for the rest of my life."

"On behalf of Lewis University, I want to thank Coach McDonough and his family for his good work leading our baseball program for fourteen years," Lewis University Director of Athletics Dr. John Planek said. "We wish him success in his future endeavors."

In his 14 seasons, McDonough led the Flyers to an overall record of 321-328-1 and a 199-206 mark in GLVC play, seven GLVC Tournament appearances and two NCAA Tournaments. He coached 51 All-GLVC players and 12 All-Midwest Region selections. McDonough led Lewis to winning seasons in each of his last three years. In the classroom, Connor Rutherford (2019), Ben Albano (2014) and Matt Frahm (2013) were named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America team. The Flyers have earned the ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award for having a team GPA over 3.0 five years in a row.

This past season, he led Lewis to a record of 24-18, 18-14 GLVC and a spot in the GLVC Tournament. The season was highlighted by a 12-10 win over then 14th ranked Illinois Springfield which saw the Flyers score six runs in the bottom of the ninth with the final four runs coming on Michael O'Brien's (Joliet, Ill./Joliet Catholic) walk-off grand slam. Lewis also swept a doubleheader against then second ranked Lindenwood by scores of 13-8 and 6-2 at Brennan Field. O'Brien, Jake Karaba (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley) and Austin Tittle (Lemont, Ill./Lemont) were named to the All-GLVC team with Karaba being named Freshman of the Year. O'Brien and Karaba were named to the NCBWA, ABCA and D2CCA All-Region teams and Anthony Rios (Lemont, Ill./St. Laurence) was named to the D2CCA All-Region team.

The 2019 season saw the Flyers record its first winning season in three years as it finished the year with a record of 27-24, 19-14 GLVC and advanced to the GLVC Tournament for the first time since 2014. Rutherford, Brandon Post, Peter Hamot and Ryan Schefske (Lombard, Ill./Glenbard East) were named to the All-GLVC team. Post was also named to the D2CCA, ABCA and NCBWA All-Midwest Region team.

McDonough's most accomplished season came in 2013. The squad won a program-record 23 GLVC games on their way to a GLVC East Division title. Eight Flyers were named All-GLVC. Lewis earned a berth to the NCAA Tournament and bested host and top seed Drury in the opening game 11-8. The Flyers also defeated Ashland in the regional 5-4 in dramatic fashion on a two-run home run by Jake Murray with two outs in the top of the ninth. Lewis compiled a 33-18 record on the year. Tom Helwich finished fourth in the GLVC in ERA (1.95) as he helped the Lewis hurlers post a 3.90 ERA. The duo of Murray and Ben Albano helped the Flyers lead the league in slugging (.433) and runs per game (6.84). McDonough was named the GLVC's Coach of the Year in 2013.

In 2012 the Flyers earned an NCAA Tournament berth for the first time since 1996. Lewis finished with a 33-22 mark. The squad, made up of many of McDonough's first recruits, earned six All-GLVC nods. The entire starting outfield of Andrew Brauer, Mike Bolling and Albano were named to the All-GLVC First Team, a feat last accomplished by a Lewis team in 1987. On the mound, the Lewis pitching staff was anchored by Pat Lahey. He led the nation in fewest walks per nine innings by walking just six batters on the season. The 2012 Flyers earned three victories over nationally ranked squads, including a 12-6 decision over No. 6 Grand Valley State on March 8.

In 2011 Lewis won a GLVC Tournament game for the first time in nine seasons. Six Flyers were named All-GLVC, the highest total for a Lewis team since 1993. Following the season, the 2011 squad was honored with a GLVC Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Team Sportsmanship Award.