Joe Muzio Joins Navigators as Assistant Coach

LYNN, Mass. 一 The North Shore Navigators of the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) have announced the hiring of assistant coach Joe Muzio to round out the on-field staff for the upcoming 2026 season.

A Rockport native and St. John's Prep graduate, Muzio returns to the North Shore to work under first-year field manager Jack Hawke. He carries a vast baseball background into the Fraser Field dugout, having played at the collegiate and professional levels before starting his coaching career. 

Muzio will join the Navigators at the conclusion of his first season at the University of Maine, where he coaches the Black Bears' hitters and infielders under head coach Nick Derba.

"We are excited to have Joe join the Navs staff," President Derek January said. "His energy and experience coaching at UMaine will bring an added dimension to the staff that we haven't had in the past. The players will love playing for Coach Muzio."

Before moving to Maine, Muzio coached with the Amsterdam Mohawks last summer, helping the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL) team to first place in the East Division regular-season standings. He worked with infielders and coached first base for manager Keith Griffin's squad.

Muzio's summer in New York followed a stint playing professionally with the Utica Unicorns of the United Shore Professional Baseball League in Michigan. He recorded a .260 average and .416 on-base percentage.

As a collegiate student-athlete, Muzio started his career at Northern Essex Community College in 2019 before spending two seasons at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla. After graduating from Eckerd in 2023, he received his Master's degree and played at UMass Dartmouth, earning All-Little East honors while becoming the sixth player in NCAA Division 3 history to reach base in 65 consecutive games. 

Muzio's playing career also included stints with summer collegiate teams in the PGCBL, Northwoods League, Futures League and NECBL. In the NECBL, he was a member of the Bristol Blues in 2024. 

"I'm excited to help some of the top baseball players in the country take advantage of opportunities this summer and see them develop into better players for their programs," Muzio said.

Muzio will be one of three assistant coaches alongside Hawke in North Shore's dugout this summer, joining a fellow newcomer in pitching coach Howard Rebhun and returning bench coach Dan Hirsch.

The Navigators will return to historic Fraser Field and the NECBL for their 19th summer season in 2026, with first pitch slated for early June. Stay up to date on the latest Navs news by visiting nsnavs.com and following the team on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.