By Jared Sugerman

When Northeastern pitching coach Greg DiCenzo left in May for the head coach position at Holy Cross it created a vacancy Justin Gordon was eager to fill.

A native of Taunton, Gordon said he is enthused by the opportunity to return to the area where he learned to play baseball so he can impart knowledge upon young players.

“To be able to come home, to have the duties of a pitching coach at the Division I level and in the Colonial Athletic [Association], which is a very solid conference and a step up from the conferences that I’ve been in, this was one of my top choices to have come at this point in my career,” Gordon said.

Equally as excited about Gordon’s return to New England is Neil McPhee, head coach of the baseball team.

“Justin came extremely highly recommended,” McPhee said. “When we sat down and talked baseball and pitching, he talked about the structure of his practices, and it immediately stood out to me how well spoken he is.”

At 28 years old, Gordon has experience as a pitching coach, working with the Temple staff last season and previously at Western Illinois. He spent the summer managing the Little Falls Miners of the New York Collegiate Baseball League, a team that included Northeastern sophomores James Donaldson, an infielder, and pitcher Tyler Thornton.

After playing baseball during his freshmen year at Massasoit Community College, Gordon was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1999. Though he never reached the majors, he is ready to pass on some of what he learned during his baseball career.

“The one thing I tell every guy is that there is no one way to do anything,” Gordon said. “Every coach that I’ve had, every coach that I’ve coached under or played for, I’ve tried to take at least one thing from, and that’s what I want my players to do.”

However, it is not just the opportunity to continue coaching that has Gordon excited about his new job.

“I haven’t been at home for a full year since I was drafted at 19 years old, and I’m 28 now,” he said. “So we’re talking nine years since I’ve been home for a full year, and been able to attend family parties and family gatherings and to do the things that everybody wants to do with their family.”

Gordon said he is ready to join the Husky ranks to continue the strong tradition of outstanding pitching.

“I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this baseball tradition,” he said.