Gorman hires Day as baseball coach

Nick Day has had an up-close view of how two of the most successful high school baseball coaches in state history operated.

After playing for Rodger Fairless at Green Valley and serving as an assistant under Chris Sheff at Bishop Gorman, Day will have a chance to implement what he has learned.

Day, 32, was introduced as Gorman’s baseball coach Thursday. He takes over for Sheff, who was named the College of Southern Nevada’s coach and athletic director July 9.

“One reason I got hired was because Fairless and Sheff were two of the most successful coaches we’ve ever had in Vegas,” Day said. “I saw their similarities, what they do differently, and I can take their styles and make my own.”

Day has spent the past two years on Gorman’s coaching staff, leading the junior varsity program and serving as a varsity assistant.

Day also was on the staff for Gorman’s American Legion team, which reached the Western Regional final. Scott Baker, the head coach for that team, joined Sheff at CSN.

Sheff coached Gorman to the past five Class 4A state titles. As a player, Day was a part of teams that won four of six straight state championships at Green Valley.

Day said both coaches have prepared him for his new opportunity. “Fairless, he was so structured and got the most out of every guy,” Day said. “He took average players and made them good players.

“Sheff’s game management was the best I’ve ever seen, pitching the right guy, having the right lineup, the right calls. I’ve been picking his brain for two years on that kind of stuff.”

Day was named Gatorade Nevada Player of the Year as a senior outfielder at Green Valley in 1996. He was a 15th-round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1996 but chose to fulfill his college commitment to Stanford before finishing his career at Brigham Young.

After being chosen in the 20th round of the 2000 draft by the San Diego Padres, Day played parts of two seasons in the minor leagues.