In 24 seasons serving as the head coach at the University of Mobile, Mike Jacobs has led the Rams to a 776-497-2 record. In the past 24 years, more than 30 Rams have signed professional contracts, including Kyle McPherson, who reached the majors with the Pirates last year, former big leaguers J.C. Romero and Saul Rivera, and Marlins’ 3rd-Base Coach Joe Espada. The leadership that produced 30 professional players also led the Rams to the 2001 NAIA World Series in Lewiston, ID and a 43-win season in 2008.
Jacobs helped begin the University of Mobile baseball program in 1990, after coming to Mobile from UMS-Wright Preparatory School, where he spent two years as an assistant coach and the last four as the head coach. As the head coach of the Bulldogs, Jacobs led them to a second-place finish in the State 3A classification in 1987 and a state title in 1988. He was inducted into the UMS-Wright Hall of Fame last fall. In 1981, Jacobs coached the Evangel Christian School squad to a second-place finish in the Alabama Christian Athletic Conference. He began his coaching career at Central Baptist School, where his team won a district title in the Alabama Private School Association. As a college player, Jacobs had an outstanding career at the University of South Alabama under Eddie Stankey. He was a four-year letterman at USA and was the Jaguars’ leading hitter in 1976.
Jacobs and his wife, Joy, are members of People of Mars Hill, where he serves as an elder. Mrs. Jacobs is a registered nurse, a graduate of the University of Mobile, and works for Surgicare of Mobile. Jacobs has been a featured speaker at several Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ functions.
The Jacobs have two sons, Josh and Jeff. Josh, a pharmacist, and his wife, Kara, a classroom educator, reside in Birmingham with daughter Emma Kate and son Parker. Both are UMobile alumni. Jeff and his wife, Amy, reside in Mobile where he works for Day Trading Institute. Amy is a physician’s assistant. They are also UMobile alumni.
