On Monday, VP for Intercollegiate Athletics Jason Coomer named PJ Finigan as the head coach in waiting for the baseball program.
 
"I would like to thank Jason Coomer, Dr. Porter, Katie Zingg, and Tom Wagganer for entrusting me with this incredible opportunity to be the head baseball coach at Lindenwood University," said Finigan.  "My family and I have been blown away by all of the great things happening here at Lindenwood, and I could not be more excited to lead the program.  I look forward to building on the great lineage of Lindenwood Baseball, set forth by Doug Bletcher and our passionate alumni."
 
Finigan will begin his first year on staff after spending the last three seasons at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville as an assistant baseball coach.  From 2021-22, Finigan also served as the interim head softball coach.  In his lone season as the interim head softball coach, Finigan helped lead the team to its first OVC Tournament appearance in three years, and first tournament win in four years.  Finigan guided four all-OVC baseball selections and three all-OVC softball selections.
 
"We are fortunate to have a tremendous staff leading our young men," said Coomer.  "PJ has demonstrated throughout his career that it was only a matter of time before he had an opportunity to lead a program.  Today, I am extremely happy to announce PJ Finigan as our Head Coach In Waiting with him taking over officially as Head Coach on July 1st this summer."
 
Prior to his stop in Edwardsville, Finigan spent nine seasons at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.  Finigan served as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator, before being promoted to associate head coach in 2018-19.  Under the pitching leadership from Finigan, the Saluki baseball program produced one National Pitcher of the Year, eight MLB Draft picks, and four school records.  Finigan guided 20 all-MVC selections, 12 MVC Pitchers of the Week, and two Louisville Slugger Freshman All-Americans.
 
Finigan was selected in the seventh round of the 2005 MLB Draft by the Detroit Tigers as the 210th overall pick.  In 2006, Finigan was named the Detroit Tigers Gold Glove Award Winner.  Finigan was a four-year starter at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.  Finigan collected Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American accolades in 2002, and was named academic all-MVC honorable mention in 2004.  In 2005, Finigan was named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year, earning first-team honors as a starting pitcher and a shortstop.  Finigan was inducted to the 2018 SIU Athletics Hall of Fame, and was named to the MVC All-Century team.
 
"Today's announcement brings continued stability to our baseball program, said Coomer.  "Coach Bletcher has guided the program to where it is today and we are excited to see him take the Lions into the first year of Division I.  For the future, it was important for players and recruits to know who would be their leader.  We are very happy to have the quality of coaching on the staff that we do."
 
"The focus is on the 2023 season, and starting this journey with our current student-athletes," said Finigan.  "I cannot wait to get this new challenge underway and create a memorable season for Coach Bletcher.  All of our current energy and excitement is on Nicholls State on Friday evening."
 
On February 6, current head coach Doug Bletcher announced the 2023 season as his final year of coaching.  Lindenwood will open the season on Friday in Thibodaux, La. as the Lions take on Nicholls at 6:00 p.m. to begin a four-game series.