The 2021 season is the fourth as Vanderbilt’s volunteer coach for David Macias.
Despite a shortened 2020 season, the Commodores saw significant development from true freshmen class that accounted for 37 percent (37 of 99) of the team’s RBIs, 36 percent (59 of 65) of hits and 35 percent of runs (34 of 98). Meanwhile, junior Austin Martin continued his spectacular career, batting .377 in 16 starts while leading the team with 15 runs and six doubles.
With the help of Macias, the Commodores surged offensively during their historic 2019 campaign, setting single-season records in home runs (100), RBIs (541), walks (339) and runs (578). Vanderbilt posted an SEC-record 59 wins en route to capturing the College World Series title. Vanderbilt secured the SEC regular season and tournament titles, becoming the first program to accomplish the feat outright since Vandy’s 2007 program did so.
During 2018, the Commodores run of 10 of 14 wins to close the season, highlighted by three straight at the NCAA Clemson Regional to capture the event for the second-consecutive season. With the result, Vandy went on to host the NCAA Super Regionals for the first time since 2014.
The Black and Gold set a program record and ranked fifth nationally with a .981 fielding percentage. With 101 stolen bases, Vandy finished atop the SEC for the third time in six seasons. The team’s 67 home runs also ranked 23rd nationally.
Macias rejoined the Commodores’ staff after previously serving as Corbin’s strength coach in 2014 when the Dores won the national championship, and volunteer assistant in 2015 when Vanderbilt returned to the College World Series finals.
Prior to rejoining Corbin’s staff, Macias was with the Seattle Mariners organization as a minor league manager. He took over as skipper of the Single-A Clinton LumberKings midway through the 2017 Midwest League season. He had been serving as the Mariners player and staff systems coordinator before taking over managerial duties. In 2016, he was the team’s coordinator of international player programs.
The former Commodore outfielder played four seasons in professional baseball (2008-11), all in the Chicago Cubs’ organization. He was drafted by Chicago in the 19th round of the 2008 MLB Draft.
Macias played at Vanderbilt from 2005-08. During his senior season, he was named first team All-SEC and second team All-South Region/All-District 3, and garnered the Jeff Peeples Most Valuable Teammate award. His 96 hits during the campaign are tied for fifth-most on Vanderbilt’s single-season list. Macias is also among Vanderbilt’s all-time leaders in at-bats (9th, 784) and hits (10th, 255).
Macias graduated from Vanderbilt with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. He resides in Nashville with his wife, Pam, and sons Manny and Javier.