Birling Promoted to Bulls General Manager Evers To Return as Skipper of Team

Durham Bulls new General Manager Mike Birling

The 2003 season of the Durham Bulls will see a new GM step up to the plate and will welcome the return of the all-time winningest Manager in Bulls history Bill Evers.

Durham Bulls’ Mike Birling will take the General Manager reigns. Birling has served as assistant general manager for the past four seasons, and previously served as GM for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Class A) and as an account executive for the LaCrosse Catbirds of the Continental Basketball Association.

Birling takes over for George Habel, who will now solely serve as Vice President of the Bulls and Capitol Broadcasting Company’s sports group.

“Mike has done an exceptional job as assistant GM,” said Habel. “He has been the mastermind of our attendance growth, and he shares Capitol Broadcasting Company’s commitment to innovation and community service. We want to take full advantage of his talent.”

Durham Bulls Manager Bill Evers

Coach Bill Evers will remain in his role as skipper of the team. He led the Bulls to their first ever Governor’s Cup Championship and league title in the 2002 season, became the winningest manager in Bulls history hitting 398 wins in the 2001 season and has managed the team for all five of its seasons as a Triple-A club.

Also returning to the Bulls coaching staff are Pitching Coach Joe Coleman and Hitting Coach Richie Hebner. Tom Tisdale will serve as the team trainer for the first time, replacing Paul Harker, who has taken another position with the Devil Rays.