Donnie Suttles begins his second season as the Golden Eagles Pitching Coach and Recruiting Coordinator.  Under Suttles the 2011 pitching staff lowered its stats in five major pitching categories from 2010 including team ERA, Runs, Walks, and Opponent Batting Average.  

Prior to taking the position at Tennessee Tech, Suttles was the Head Coach at the North Carolina powerhouse TC Roberson High school were he produced five MLB baseball draft picks in four years. This included 1st round draft picks through the 28th round. TC Roberson was ranked within the top five programs in North Carolina by Baseball America from 2007-2010 reaching number two in 2007 with a record of 23-4.  Suttles holds a career record of 92-21.

Hailing from Marion, N.C., Suttles is a member of the Professional Baseball Representatives (PBR), acted as the N.C. State Games Coach and developed the North Carolina Pro Player Clinic for players and coaches.

Prior to his time at TCR, Suttles helped out his high school alma mater, McDowell High School, from 2004-2006 and served as the American Legion Coach during the same time. He also spent a year helping Gardner-Webb  make the transition to Division 1 baseball in 2004. His coaching experienced commenced with his role as a player instructor for the Cleveland Indians’ Class A affiliate, the Columbus Redstixx.

Suttles’ experience on the diamond goes far beyond coaching.  He was drafted in the 12th round of the 1998 MLB draft by the Cleveland Indians after his junior year at Western Carolina. Suttles was named the most athletic player in the draft for the Cleveland Indians. He was named Pitcher of the Year and Top Prospect in the Appalachian League in 1998 where he teamed up with future teammate/roommate Cy Young winner CC Sabathia for a combined no hitter.

That Burlington Indians team won the regular season with players such as Sabathia, Victor Martinez, Johnny Peralta, Macier Icturiz, and Willy Taveras all future MLB All-Stars. Suttles posted ERA and strikeout stats that rank fourth and fifth in the minors.  In 1999, Suttles pitched the Columbus Redstixx (South Atlantic League) to the first half championship. Suttles spent time at every level before finally retiring from professional baseball in 2003 due to injury.

Western Carolina was where Suttles spent his college career becoming the 1997 Southern Conference regular and post season champions under Coach Keith LeClair.  He was named SoCon Pitcher of the week three times, and honored as Pitcher of the Year for the Rocky Mountain Rockfish in the Coastal Plains summer league.  Suttles graduated from Western Carolina University with a double Major in Physical Education and Sociology.

Suttles is married to Amy Suttles of Marion, N.C.  They reside in Cookeville, with their two children, son Jayden “J.T.” (10) and Maris (5).