Claim: Schmitz (former head coach at Eastern Illinois) earned his first head coaching job at his alma mater Wilmington in Wilmington, Ohio in 1984; before he served three seasons and led the program to its first 20 win season and first NAIA Tournament appearance in 1986.
Evidence: Jim Schmitz is an American college baseball coach, formerly the head coach at Wilmington (OH) (1984–1986), Cincinnati (1987–1990), and Eastern Illinois (1995–2015). Schmitz earned his first head coaching job at his alma mater Wilmington in Wilmington, Ohio in 1984. He served three seasons and led the program to its first 20 win season and first NAIA Tournament appearance in 1986.