Randolph-Macon head baseball coach Ray Hedrick ’97 has announced the hiring of former Yellow Jacket catcher Jacob Selden ’21 as an assistant coach.
“Any time there are disruptions to a coaching staff,” Hedrick said, “it is difficult on everyone associated with the program. To have it happen in December, two months away from the season, is a punch in the gut.
“It didn’t take long, however, for people who value our program to reach out and share their perspectives on who should fill that void. Whether it be fellow leaders in the industry or former players and coaches who invested significant time into RMC Baseball, Jacob Selden was the name that kept coming up. Words like loyal, dedicated, and passionate kept accompanying his recommendations. Somebody even mentioned his "obsession" with RMC Baseball. That fired me up and made me realize how important the connectivity to the program was to this hire. We are beyond fortunate to have this opportunity, at this time of year. This is an exciting moment for Diamond Jacket Baseball."
Selden returns to Ashland after serving as Director of Player Development at The Citadel in the fall of 2023. He will primarily work with position players at RMC, including overseeing the hitters. Selden will partner with assistant coach Charlie Fletcher to lead the recruiting efforts.
During the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Selden was a graduate student at VCU. He appeared in 47 games with 41 starts in helping the Rams win the Atlantic 10 Championship in 2022. Selden belted a game-winning two-run homer in the bottom of the 10th in a 9-7 victory over eighth-ranked Virginia at The Diamond. He also went deep in an 8-1 win over Georgia in the Chapel Hill Regional. Selden was limited to nine games in 2023 due to injury. He spent most of that season as a student assistant to first-year head coach Bradley LeCroy.
Selden batted .353 during his four-year career at RMC, the 14th-highest average in program history. The Yellow Jackets won three ODAC regular season titles during Selden’s career. In 2018, RMC won the Holly Springs Regional and was a national semifinalist at the College World Series.
As a senior in 2021, Selden was All-South Region Third Team, All-ODAC First Team and VaSID All-State First Team. He appeared in 31 games with 29 starts. Selden batted .365 with 25 runs and 22 RBI. Selden led the team with three triples and 25 walks while recording an on-base percentage of .482, the fourth-best in the league. He threw out 10 potential base-stealers and posted a fielding percentage of .985. Against ODAC competition, he hit .384 with an on-base percentage of .500. Selden tied for 14th in program history with a career batting average of .351.
A native of Lynchburg, Va., Selden earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from RMC in 2021. He received a master’s in accounting from VCU in 2023. Selden takes over for Chris Corbett, who accepted a position in the Kansas City Royals organization after spending two years at RMC.
What They’re Saying About Jacob Selden
Shawn Stiffler, Notre Dame head coach, former VCU head coach
“This is a fantastic hire! Jacob loves the Randolph-Macon community and has great pride in the baseball program! His ability to develop meaningful relationships and bring lasting energy will have an effect on the program immediately. There is no question that Jacob is working to become one of the premier coaches in baseball!”
Bradley LeCroy, VCU head coach
"Jacob is the perfect fit for Randolph Macon Baseball. His work ethic, enthusiasm, energy, along with his association and with an appreciation for the program will lead him to be a great asset to the program. I'm excited for him and the Randolph Macon Baseball program and I know he has a bright future in this profession. "
M.L. Morgan, Tampa Bay Rays scout, former RMC assistant coach
“Jacob is an excellent hire. Not only is he an intelligent baseball mind, but he also has an infectious energy and work ethic that will be a great example for everyone in the program. He understands what it takes to be successful, having been an integral part of championship teams at both RMC and VCU. Those experiences, along with his personality and work ethic, will allow him to build strong relationships with recruits and their families. He will continue the great tradition of coaches that have preceded him in that role and help push the program forward. Go Jackets!”
C.J. Rhodes, Better Way Athletics VP for Operations, former RMC, Longwood and VCU assistant coach
“Jacob Selden’s journey from player to now assistant coach at Randolph-Macon College is a testament to the enduring legacy of his time while in Ashland. From the moment I recruited him, you could see that he embodied every characteristic that we were looking for at RMC. A game-changing personality, relentless work ethic and unyielding competitiveness on the diamond. Our paths crossed again at VCU during his graduate years, where I was able to see Jacob as the consummate teammate, selflessly contributing to the collective success of the team.
“Jacob’s competitiveness was not just about winning games, it was a commitment to excellence in every aspect of the game. His drive to improve himself and elevate his teammates made him a force to be reckoned with on the field.
“Now, as he steps into the role of an assistant coach, Jacob’s qualities as a player seamlessly translate into his coaching ability. He will undoubtedly foster a culture of collaboration and team-first mentality. His infectious work ethic that defined his playing days will serve as a foundation for instilling discipline and dedication in the next generation of players.”
