Steve Connelly Named Pitching Coach

BURLINGTON, VT --- Former Major League pitcher Steve Connelly has been named pitching coach for the 2014 Vermont Lake Monsters, the Oakland Athletics announced today. Connelly will replace 2013 Vermont pitching coach Craig Lefferts, who had previously been annouced to return to the Lake Monsters for the upcoming season.

Connelly was a 24th round pick for the Athletics in the 1995 draft and spent eight seasons in the Oakland and San Francisco Giants Minor League systems, finishing 34-31 with 51 saves and a 4.50 ERA in 335 career games. He made three appearances in the Major Leagues for the A's during the 1998 season, allowing one run on 10 hits over 4 2/3 innings.

Prior to his professional career, Connelly spent three years at the University of Oklahoma and helped lead the Sooners to the College World Series appearances including the 1994 National Championship.

The 39-year-old native of Long Beach, California has spent the last three years as the pitching coach for the University of Alabama-Huntsville.

Connelly will join a Lake Monsters coaching staff that includes previously announced first-year manager David Newhan and hitting coach Tommy Everidge.