Fall 2025 Commencement Speaker

Nov 13, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Clayton McCullough Interview and Headshots at loanDepot park. Mandatory Credit: Nick Vega-Miami Marlins

Former East Carolina University baseball player Clayton McCullough, manager of the Miami Marlins and a World Series winning coach, will deliver the keynote address during fall commencement on Dec. 19 at Minges Coliseum.

McCullough, a Greenville native whose parents still live in the area, will address about 1,800 students and their guests during the 10 a.m. ceremony.

“We are excited to recognize our graduates and celebrate such a special moment with their friends and families,” ECU Chancellor Philip Rogers said. “It’s a pleasure to welcome Clayton back to campus to offer words of encouragement to our graduates. As a Greenville native and alumnus, he inherently understands our university’s mission, and his career achievements clearly demonstrate his proven leadership.”

McCullough was hired as Miami’s manager on Nov. 11, 2024. In his first season, he guided the Marlins to a 79-83 record, an improvement of 17 victories from the previous season. He also served as a coach during the 2025 Major League All-Star Game.

McCullough came to the Marlins after working nine years in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, including as the first base coach during the 2024 season in which the Dodgers won the World Series.

McCullough played catcher for three seasons at ECU, helping the Pirates earn three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances as well as the program’s first national seed in 2001. During his final season, he helped ECU capture the Conference USA Tournament title and received NCAA All-Regional team honors.

McCullough played minor league baseball in the Cleveland Indians organization, including in Kinston. He then returned to ECU in 2006 to begin his coaching career as a volunteer assistant, and later that year, completed his studies and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in communication.

Before joining the Dodgers, McCullough spent nine seasons coaching and managing in the Toronto Blue Jays’ minor league system, earning Manager of the Year honors twice.

McCullough’s baseball career continues a family legacy. His father, Howard McCullough, lettered in baseball at ECU. His mother, Eva McCullough, is also an ECU graduate and retired as an elementary school physical education teacher. His parents reside in Greenville.

McCullough lives in Jupiter, Florida, with his wife Jill and their three children.