DETROIT -- Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said he’s not surprised that pitching coach Chris Fetter has been linked to head coach opening at the University of Michigan. But he said Fetter had not yet had any formal contact with his alma mater about the position.
News emerged late Tuesday that Erik Bakich was leaving Michigan after 10 years as head coach to take the helm at Clemson University. Fetter served as an assistant under Bakich from 2017-2020. He’s been the Tigers’ pitching coach since being hired to Hinch’s first staff in November of 2020.
“I knew that question was coming. I’m not surprised that the rumors have started,” Hinch said Wednesday at Comerica Park. “From what I understand there’s been no contact or anything like that yet.
“We love Fett. He’s very talented. He can do anything at this level, or certainly the college level. We have to do everything we can to keep him. He’s a big part of what we’re doing.”
A native of Indiana, Fetter was a standout pitcher for the Wolverines, graduating in 2009. He was selected by the San Diego Padres that summer in the ninth round of the MLB draft. He spent four seasons in the Padres’ minor-league system before being released, but it was with the Padres that he first met Hinch, who was then a rising young executive in the club’s front office.
Fetter, like all Tigers assistant coaches, generally is not made available to the media.
“He and I have known each other a long time. I know him really well,” Hinch said. “He’s fully focused here.”
Hinch is no stranger to mid-season coaching departures.
Last summer, assistant hitting coach Jose Cruz Jr. was named head coach at Rice University in June. Third base coach Chip Hale was hired as head coach at the University of Arizona in July.
Hinch said he didn’t think Fetter would be the third coach to head to the college ranks.
“I’m not losing another coach right now,” Hinch said. “Fett’s in a good spot...He needs to coach in this area, it just needs to be with the Tigers. We want him to stay here.
“I have no idea what is ahead, but he’s very happy here.”