TAMPA, Fla. ? Former University of South Florida pitcher Dave Eiland has been named the pitching coach for the New York Yankees for the 2008 campaign.

"It's an honor and a privilege, and something that I'm very much looking forward to," Eiland said at his press conference on Nov. 20. "I'm very anxious to get started."

Beginning his sixth season in the Yankees' organization, Eiland replaces Ron Guidry, who had been New York's pitching coach for the past three seasons.

Eiland will be a familiar face to young pitching prospects Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy after being promoted from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he held the same position.

"Dave knows all the young pitchers," said Yankees Manager Joe Girardi at the press conference announcing his new coaching staff. "Obviously those young guys are going to play an important role with us this year, so I thought it was important that the pitchers were comfortable with the pitching coach."

Eiland's 2007 pitching staff was second in the International League in strikeouts (1,101), tied for second in shutouts (13) and fourth in ERA (3.64). He has also coached the AA Trenton Thunder, who led their league in strikeouts (1,107) and ERA (3.27) in 2006.

Eiland pitched for the Bulls from 1986-87, then spent five of his nine professional seasons with the Yankees after being selected in the seventh round of the 1987 Major League Baseball Draft. In his 10-year career, he finished with a 12-27 overall record and a 5.74 ERA. He struck out 152 batters in 373 career innings. He also played for the San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays.