Dennis Grall | Daily Press Two new coaches were named to the Bay de Noc Community College staff Wednesday. Athletic director and men’s basketball coach Matt Johnson, center, introduced Jim Murtha, left, as cross country coach and Rae Drake Jr., right, as women’s basketball coach during a press conference.

ESCANABA — Bay College introduced Rae Drake, Jr. as its head women’s basketball coach and Jim Murtha as its head cross country coach.

“We believe Rae Drake and Jim Murtha are both great additions to Bay College and our athletic department,” athletic director and men’s basketball coach Matt Johnson said. “They are both men of strong character, and we know they will put their hearts and souls into establishing successful programs at Bay College.”

Bay College President Dr. Laura Coleman also expressed her excitement.

“We are very excited to take another step forward with our Athletic Department,” said Dr. Coleman. ” We could not be more excited about having these two fine gentlemen on board and returning to Bay College.”

Both athletic programs are new to the college and will begin in 2017 fall. Both coaches are excited and will be looking to mold these programs to be successful for years to come.

Drake attended Bay College from 1977-1979 and graduated from Northern Michigan University in 1982 with a degree in special education.

“I am a graduate of Bay and I recognize what a great asset it is to the Upper Peninsula,” said Drake. “I am very excited and honored to be starting the first ever women’s basketbll program and working with Matt and the rest of the team at Bay College. I believe we will build a solid foundation that will last for years to come.”

Drake has spent the past four years working with the Northern Michigan University women’s basketball team, including the last two as an assistant coach.

Previous to working at NMU, Drake had worked with both the men’s and women’s basketball programs at Michigan Tech. He was assistant coach in 2010-2011, under Kim Cameron, when the Huskies were the NCAA Division II runner-up.

In addition to coaching, Drake spent 25 years as a special education teacher.

Drake is looking forward to getting to work to put a team together.

“I’m very excited to start the first women’s basketball team,” said Drake, whose wife Molly Smith is an Escanaba native. “I believe we will build a solid foundation.”

Drake is looking to implement his style of play with his new team.

“I want to run a fast style but it will be something I’ll have to gauge with the roster I have,” said Drake.

As far as chalenges Drake feels like he’s up to the task of building a team from scratch. He feels like he can recruit a full team of 12-20 players mainly from the U.P.

“I really believe its a gold mine here economically,” said Drake. “We will put a good product on the floor. I’m pretty confident with that.”

Murtha is also excited to start building his team.

“I would like to thank Dr. Coleman, Matt Johnson, and the entire Bay College community for this incredible opportunity,” said Murtha. “I am extremely excited and cannot wait to get started.”

Murtha has been a physical education teacher at Gladstone the past 18 years. He has spent the last 15 years as head girls track coach at Gladstone High School.

Murtha has seen great success, including his 2002 team that won the great Northern Conference, regional and Upper Peninsula titles.

Murtha graduated from Bay College in 1993 and NMU in 1995.

Just like Drake, Murtha’s biggest challenge will be putting a team together from scratch.

“My biggest challenge will be finding kids who want to run and are committed,” said Murtha. “I’m looking for the commitment level so there can be more consistant training.”

Murtha would like to put together a team of 20. He would like a team of 10 men and 10 women.

Murtha will continue coaching track and field for Gladstone.