After 11 years as associate head coach and a total of 18 years as an assistant, John McCormack was elevated to head coach of Florida Atlantic University's baseball program at a press conference in FAU's Tom Oxley Athletic Center July 1, 2008.

McCormack has played an essential role in developing the Owls into a nationally recognized program, acting as FAU's recruiting coordinator for the past 16 seasons. His efforts have brought in 73 players that have continued their baseball careers as professionals, seven have earned All-America honors, six have been named Freshmen All-American and three were conference Player of the Year selections.

McCormack was promoted to associate head coach in 1998, working with long-time FAU coach Kevin Cooney. Together, Cooney and McCormack won 658 games, appeared in seven regional tournaments, captured a Regional Tournament Title in 2002 and advanced to the Super Regional.

A big part of FAU's success was McCormack's passion for the Boca Raton area and the University, allowing the program to reach some of the best players in the state. Having lived in Boca Raton for more than 30 years, McCormack realizes what a great area South Florida is and what it can provide student-athletes.

McCormack joined the staff in 1991. He approached Cooney about assuming the duties of recruiter and the current program was launched. McCormack has focused his attention on the pool of talent in the South Florida area. His first FAU recruiting class (1993) finished the season 41-17 and made a trip to the South Regional, where they fell to the eventual national champion.

In the 16 years that McCormack has recruited, FAU has won 607 games, tied a national record for consecutive games won (34), participated in seven NCAA Regionals (playing in the championship game four times) and won the Tuscaloosa Regional over the nation's No. 3 team, Alabama, in 2002. McCormack was recognized with the AFLAC National Assistant Coach of the Year Award in 2003.

During his tenure in Boca Raton, he has developed relationships with local baseball scouts and 73 FAU players have been drafted by or signed with professional teams; four of them have moved on to the major leagues. Twelve players were drafted in the first 10 rounds, including three third-rounders and two fifth-rounders.

In many cases, the talent was evident only to McCormack. FAU's baseball program has been built around the premise that McCormack would find athletes with the desire to win. The coaching staff would develop talent and the players would become better.

Before joining FAU, McCormack played ball for nearby Lynn University, where he received his bachelor's degree in business administration in 1990. At Lynn, McCormack earned All-Conference honors his junior (catcher) and senior (third baseman) seasons and All-Area Team MVP honors during his junior season. Prior to Lynn, he attended Indian River Community College and Pope John Paul II High School.

Born in New York, McCormack has lived in South Florida for more than 30 years. He and his wife, Katrina, reside in Boca Raton with their sons Conor (10) and Shane (7).