Mike Gambino joined the Virginia Tech staff as an assistant coach in the summer of 2006 not only with playing and coaching accolades on his resumé, but with professional scouting experience as well. Now in his third season in Blacksburg, he serves as the Hokies' recruiting coordinator and works with Tech's infielders and hitters. Much like associate head coach Dave Turgeon, Gambino has a history with head coach Pete Hughes, having both played and coached for him at Boston College.

"We are very fortunate to have someone with Mike's extensive background on our staff," Hughes said. "We believe his talents as an instructor and as a recruiter/evaluator are instrumental in carrying on the winning tradition of Hokie baseball. I have had the pleasure of both coaching Mike and working with him. He is loyal, a tremendous worker and a true competitor - all qualities that we need to have in our program to win in the ACC."

Gambino, 31, came to the Hokies from the Detroit Tigers, where he worked as a regional scout. Gambino was an infielder for Hughes at Boston College from 1995 through 2000, earning the team's leadership award as a redshirt sophomore in 1997-98. He was named second-team All-New England and made the BIG EAST Academic team following the 1999 season. In 2000, Gambino collected a school record 78 hits on the way to earning first-team All-Big East, All-New England and All-Northeast Region honors.

Following his collegiate playing career, Gambino spent two seasons as a minor league infielder for the Boston Red Sox. In February 2002, he became a special assistant to the Red Sox Major League staff. In that capacity, he assisted the coaching staff with all on-field activity and aided the scouting department with coordinating the Amateur Draft.

Gambino was a coach for the Lowell Spinners, the Red Sox Short Season-A team in the New York-Penn League, from June-September 2002. He worked with hitters and infielders and coached first base for the Spinners. He also assisted with all game and prospect reports. When the season concluded, the Red Sox sent Gambino to the Major League Baseball Scout Development Program.

In January 2003, Gambino returned to Boston College as a volunteer coach for Hughes. He coordinated the developmental program for hitters and infielders, and also coordinated BC's summer baseball camps.

After two seasons with the Eagles, Gambino moved back to the pro ranks in November 2005 to become an area scout for Detroit, working in the Northeast and Deep South (Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi).

Gambino, who received a bachelor's degree in English and theology from BC, is a native of Garrison, N.Y.