Jeff Andrews, who was a pitching coach in the Pirate minor league system the previous five seasons, today was named the Pirates new pitching coach.

Andrews, 48, was the pitching coach at Class AA Altoona for three years and then at Class AAA Indianapolis for the past two years.

Thus, Andrews has tutored almost all of the Pirates' current pitchers.

He joins a coaching staff that includes bench coach Gary Varsho, third base coach Tony Beasley and bullpen coach Luis Dorante. The Pirates will announce their hitting and first base coaches after the Thanksgiving holiday.

The coaching staff will try to help the Pirates end a streak of 15 consecutive losing seasons

"It's a big challenge,'' Andrews said, "but I think we'll be up to it."