Michael Cleary - Baseball Coach - Florida Atlantic University Athletics

Michael Cleary

Title:
Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
Email:
clearym@fau.edu

Michael Cleary joined the FAU baseball staff in December of 2021. In August 2022, he was elevated to full-time assistant coach/recruiting coordinator. He also oversees outfield defense and serves as third base coach. Under the guidance of Cleary and infield defense coach Joey Bellini, the Owls led the American Conference and set a program record with a .978 team fielding percentage in 2026. Owls' outfielders committed just three errors in a possible 377 chances (.996 fielding percentage). In four seasons since Cleary joined the Owls' staff, four former FAU outfielders have gone on to the professional ranks, highlighted by Philadelphia Phillies 2022 third-round pick Gabriel Rincones.

Cleary came to FAU after time spent as a volunteer assistant at his alma mater, the University of Dayton. He coordinated the Flyers' outfield defense, assisted coaching with the hitters and baserunners, and threw batting practice.

Cleary graduated from Dayton with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2021. In four years with the Flyers (2018-21), he started 126 games and was a team captain. He held a career fielding percentage of .989 and OBP of .409, with 91 runs scored. He was a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference All-Rookie Team after his freshman campaign.