KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan University and head baseball coach Billy Gernon have announced the addition of former Major League pitcher Zach Putnam as the program's new pitching coach. 
 
"Change is inevitable in our industry, and it was important to be very conscientious on who we brought in to lead our pitching staff," coach Gernon said. "Several very qualified candidates inquired, but at the end of the process I concluded that Zach was the right coach at the right time for Western Michigan Baseball. Zach exudes confidence and has experienced high levels of success both in college for Michigan and at the MLB level. His confidence, success and knowledge will all help develop our players as we pursue another championship."
 
A Michigan native, Putnam starred at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, where he was named the Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year and Mr. Baseball in 2005. The Detroit Tigers selected him in the 38th round of that year's MLB Draft, but he instead elected to attend the University of Michigan, where he won three Big Ten Championships, was a three-time All-American as a two-way player and was named the 2008 Big Ten Pitcher of the Year. In the summer of 2008, he was taken by the Cleveland Indians in the fifth round of the MLB Draft.
 
The right-hander made his Major League debut for Cleveland in 2011, and made eight appearances for the club that season. He went on to play seven seasons in the majors with the Indians, Colorado Rockies, Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox. Over the course of his career in the big leagues, he posted a 3.20 ERA in 145 career appearances and struck out 162 in 152.0 innings (9.6 K/9). 
 
"I am very excited to join a tremendous program with a talented roster and excellent group of coaches," Putnam said. "Western Michigan has a long history of cultivating and developing talented players, and I am eager to help carry that torch into another successful season. I'm grateful to Coach Gernon for the opportunity and very much looking forward to winning a lot of baseball games in 2025!"
 
Putnam began his coaching career in 2023, joining the Ball State staff as a volunteer assistant coach. That season, the Cardinals went on to win the MAC Tournament and reach the NCAA Regionals.
 
This past season, Putnam returned to the Michigan dugout and served as a student assistant for the Wolverines while completing his undergraduate degree. U-M won 32 games this spring and made a run to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.