College Coaching Carousel

Kendall Rogers

COLLEGE BASEBALL COACHING CAROUSEL
Appalachian State
Out: Chris Pollard In: Billy Jones Buzz: The Mountaineers will have a very tough time replacing someone of the caliber of Chris Pollard, but it certainly can be done. Pollard did some great things at Appalachian State, leading the program to an NCAA Regional, and two wins there, for the first time since 26 seasons this past season ... The Mountaineers hired Billy Jones, who previously was an assistant coach at Oklahoma State under previous Cowboys skipper Frank Anderson. Jones spent eight seasons with the Cowboys. Before that stint, he spent three seasons with N.C. State, where his ties to Appalachian State come into play.
Ball State
Out: Alex Marconi In: Rich Maloney Buzz: The Cardinals parted ways with Alex Marconi, who spent two seasons with the program. He compiled a 29-71 overall record, 20-33 mark in Mid-American Conference play during his tenure with the program. Before his stint as head coach, Marconi also was an assistant in the program. The Cards replaced Marconi with former Michigan head coach and previous Ball State head coach Rich Maloney. Maloney amassed a 256-144-1 (.640) record during his previous stint at BSU. He also spent the last 10 seasons at Michigan, where he compiled a 341-224 (.601) record, leading the Wolverines to one NCAA Super Regional appearance.
Brigham Young
Out: Vance Law In: Mike Littlewood Buzz: Law has been a staple in the Cougars program for the last 12 seasons. Law entered his 13th season at helm of the program with a 375-321-2 (.539) record. However, the Cougars have struggled this season sitting 22-26 overall with a single game remaining against Gonzaga ... The Cougars hired talented coach Mike Littlewood. Littlewood spent the last 16 seasons as the head coach at Dixie State College in St. George, Utah. There, he compiled a 563-238 (.702) record. He also captured eight league titles.
Bucknell
Out: Gene Depew In: Scott Heather Buzz: In not a surprising move, Gene Depew decided to call it a coaching career after spending 40 seasons with the Bisons program, including 31 of those as the program's head coach. Depew assembled over 550 victories during his tenure with the program ... After Depew retired his post, the Bison used a national search and eventually settled on hiring long-time assistant Scott Heather, who spent the last eight seasons with the program.
Chicago State
Out: Michael Caston In: Steve Joslyn Buzz: Caston spent four seasons as the head coach at Chicago State before parting ways with the program. The program hired Steve Joslyn, who spent the last 10 years as an assistant coach at Northern Illinois. Chicago State finished last season with a rough 13-40 overall record.
Duke
Out: Sean McNally In: Chris Pollard Buzz: McNally just was unable to get over the hump as the skipper of the Blue Devils. In his seven seasons with the Blue Devils, he compiled an overall record of 192-198-1 (.491), including a 63-145-1 (.301) mark in the ACC. McNally guided Duke to winning seasons from 2007-2010. The Blue Devils hired Chris Pollard from Appalachian State to replace McNally. Pollard really did a terrific job at Appalachian State, leading the program to its first postseason appearance in 26 years last season.
George Washington
Out: Steve Mrowka In: Gregg Ritchie Buzz: The Colonials parted ways with Mrowka, who spent eight seasons with the program. He compiled a 202-245 mark in those eight seasons, including a 95-109 mark in Atlantic 10 action. The Colonials last qualified for the A-10 tournament in 2005, his first year with the program. Despite hiring an interim head coach, the Colonials made a statement by going out and hiring a big name in Pittsburgh Pirates hitting coach and former player Gregg Ritchie.
Harvard
Out: Joe Walsh In: Bill Decker Buzz: In one of the most disheartening stories of the year in college baseball, the Crimson is looking for a new head coach after long-time skipper Joe Walsh passed away at age 58. Walsh spent the last 17 seasons in charge of the Harvard program, capturing five Ivy League titles in the process. With the fall semester nearing, the Crimson decided to go with long-time assistant coach Tom Lo Ricco on an interim basis. Instead of going with Lo Ricco, the Crimson hired Bill Decker as head coach. Decker spent the last 22 seasons as the head coach at Trinity College (Conn.). There, he compiled a 529-231 (.696) record.
Maryland
Out: Erik Bakich In: John Szefc Buzz: The Terrapins are now searching for a new head coach after Erik Bakich, who spent three years with the Terps, took the head coaching position at Michigan. Though the Terps are still going through a national search for a new full-time head coach, volunteer assistant Eric Milton has been promoted to the interim tag for the time being. The Terrapins hired Kansas State associate head coach John Szefc. Szefc had his stint with the Wildcats, but before that, helped lead Marist to four conference titles as the head coach there.
Maryland-Eastern Shore
Out: Will Gardner In: Pedro Swann Buzz: Looking for someone with extensive playing experience at an elite level, the Hawks certainly got a seasoned veteran in Pedro Swann. Swann spent 17 seasons in the professional ranks, three of them at the big league level.
Michigan
Out: Rich Maloney In: Erik Bakich Buzz: In somewhat of a surprising move, the Wolverines parted ways with and announced they weren't renewing the contract of long-time head coach Rich Maloney. Maloney was removed after guiding the Wolverines to a 22-34 overall record this past season, missing the Big Ten tournament. Maloney guided the Wolverines to four-straight NCAA tournament appearances in 2005, '06, '07 and '08, leading the program to an NCAA Super Regional in '07 ... The Wolverines made a very solid hire with the addition of Bakich, who spent the last three seasons as the head coach at Maryland, and before that, was an assistant for Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin. Bakich guided the Terrapins to a 32-24 record last season, almost guiding them to the NCAA tournament.
Middle Tennessee State
Out: Steve Peterson In: Jim McGuire Buzz: The Blue Raiders had a successful and lengthy period of baseball under the tutelage of Peterson. Peterson spent 25 seasons with the Blue Raiders before announcing his retirement. He finished his lengthy tenure with a 944-733-3 overall record. In what was one of the more roller-coaster like coaching searches of the summer, the Blue Raiders swung and missed with Liberty's Jim Toman and Arkansas State's Tommy Raffo before hiring long-time assistant Jim McGuire. McGuire is well respected at MTSU and in the coaching community having spent the last 20 years as an assistant for the Blue Raiders.
Morehead State
Out: Jay Sorg In: Mike McGuire Buzz: After five seasons with the program, Jay Sorge decided to call it a tenure. Sorg announced his resignation. He guided Morehead State to a 28-27 overall record this past season, its first winning record since the 2005 season ... MSU hired Mike McGuire away from Louisburg JC. McGuire spent last season as the head coach of Louisburg. Before that, he was an assistant coach/associate head coach under Joe Hudak at Winthrop. McGuire is a Morehead State alum and knows what it will take to win there.
New Jersey Tech
Out: Mike Cole In: Brian Guiliana Buzz: In one of the stranger situations of the summer, NJIT parted ways with previous coach Mike Cole after an arrest earlier this summer. As a result, it hired Brian Guiliana, who spent the last two seasons with the program. Before his stint as an assistant at NJIT, Guiliana served as a scout in the Florida Marlins system.
New York Tech
Out: Butch Caulfield In: Bob Malvagna Buzz: In somewhat of a strange situation, Caulfield announced earlier this season that he was resigning and wouldn't accept the university's tabbed role for him as head assistant, as they transitioned away from coach Bob Hirschfield, who spent 30 seasons with the program. NYIT is expected to do an official search this summer, but Mike Mac Millan served as the interim coach this past season ... New York Tech hired Bob Malvagna to replace Caulfield. He has 20 years of coaching experience, most recently coaching at Adelphi University. Malvagna played his collegiate baseball at St. John's.
Northwestern State
Out: J.P. Davis In: Lane Burroughs Buzz: Northwestern State has been the breeding ground for some fantastic coaches of the years, and perhaps they'll reel another one in with this coaching search. The Demons parted ways with J.P. Davis, who spent five seasons with the program and compiled a 131-139 mark overall, 82-75 mark in Southland Conference play ... The Demons have hired Lane Burroughs, an assistant at Mississippi State. Burroughs has quite the impressive resume, having served four years with the Bulldogs, and also serving stints as an assistant at both Kansas State, Southern Mississippi, and of course, Northwestern State.
Ohio
Out: Joe Carbone In: Rob Smith Buzz: With his state retirement settling in, Carbone decided to call it a coaching career after 24 seasons on the job. Carbone tallie over 650 wins as the head coach of the Bobcats, and led the program to a 28-26 regular season record this past campaign. Former Michigan coach Rich Maloney could be a legitimate option for the Bobcats, though, some other interesting names are in the mix for the position ... The Bobcats made a very solid hire in bringing on Creighton associate head coach Rob Smith. Smith earned a very good reputation as an assistant for six years with the Bluejays. In addition to being a solid pitching coach, Smith also is considered a good recruiter.
Oklahoma State
Out: Frank Anderson In: Josh Holliday Buzz: Anderson spent nine seasons as the head coach of the Cowboys. During that time, he compiled a 329-208 overall record, reaching the NCAA tournament six times and coming one win away (2007) from reaching the College World Series. OSU, though, missed the postseason two of the last three seasons, prompting a change if regime by athletic director Mike Holder. -- The Cowboys hired former player and assistant coach Josh Holliday. Holliday has earned a stellar reputation as an outstanding recruiter and assistant coach during previous stops at Arizona State, Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt.
Oral Roberts
Out: Rob Walton In: Ryan Folmar Buzz: In very surprising fashion, long-time ORU head coach Rob Walton decided to leave his post to become the newest assistant coach on Josh Holliday's staff at Oklahoma State. As a result, the Golden Eagles have promoted assistant Ryan Folmer to the head coaching position. Folmer is considered to be one of the nation's better hitting coaches, having experienced a lot of success as the hitting coach for the Eagles the past nine seasons.
San Jose State
Out: Sam Piraro In: Dave Nakama Buzz: The Spartans are looking for a new head coach after Piraro retired after the 2012 campaign. He spent 25 seasons as the head coach at SJSU, tallying an 806-632-6 overall record, with his career beginning in 1987. Piraro also guided the Spartans to the College World Series during his tenure. Though the Spartans tabbed assistant and former Santa Clara head coach Mark O'Brien the interim coach, they ended up hiring Dave Nakama. Nakama is very respected in the coaching community, having spent the last two seasons at Washington. Prior, he had spent several seasons at Stanford.
SE Missouri State
Out: Mark Hogan In: Steve Bieser (interim) Buzz: The Redhawks are looking for a new head coach after Hogan surprisingly retired after spending the last 16 seasons as the head coach of the program. Hogan guided the Redhawks to a 23-36 overall record last season. The Redhawks continue to search for a new head coach with Bieser having the interim tag for the time being. He has spent the past couple of seasons as the pitching coach for SEMO.
Texas-San Antonio
Out: Sherman Corbett In: Jason Marshall Buzz: After 12 seasons with the Roadrunners, both Corbett and the UTSA administration have decided to move him to an administrative role within the athletic department. Corbett assembled a 353-329 (.518) record in his tenure as the baseball coach for the Roadrunners. UTSA will embark on a national search, which should include some of the better assistants in the State of Texas, perhaps even some head coaches in the Southland Conference. The Roadrunners have hired long-time assistant Jason Marshall. Marshall has spent the last 12 seasons as an assistant for the Roadrunners, and has a stellar reputation in the Southland Conference.
Texas Tech
Out: Dan Spencer In: Tim Tadlock Buzz: In not so surprising of a decision, the Red Raiders decided to part ways with Spencer, who spent four seasons as the head coach of the Red and Black. Spencer surprisingly compiled just a 115-112 overall mark and 41-61 Big 12 mark in his four campaigns with the Red Raiders. Additionally, Tech was turned off by the fact the Red Raider failed to reach the Big 12 tournament this season with a 29-26 overall record -- In not so surprising fashion, the Red Raiders gave associate head coach Tim Tadlock the interim coach tag before giving him the full-time head coach tag a few weeks later. Tadlock earned a great reputation as a great recruiter and coach during his time at Oklahoma.
UNC Greensboro
Out: Mike Gaski In: Link Jarrett Buzz: The Spartans decided to part ways with Gaski, who spent 22 seasons with the program. In those 22 seasons at UNCG, Gaski guided the program to an outstanding 657-540-1 overall record. He also guided the Spartans to a 25-27 overall record this past season, including a 10-20 mark in the Southern Conference. The Spartans made a very good hire with the addition of Link Jarrett. Jarrett made his mark with the Auburn Tigers the last three seasons. But before that, he made a big-time statement with a good stint at East Carolina.
West Virginia
Out: Greg Van Zant In: Randy Mazey Buzz: The Mountaineers have thoroughly struggled the past few seasons, and as a result, athletic director Oliver Luck announce the contract of coach Greg Van Zant would not be renewed. WVU, of course, is headed to the Big 12 in 2013, so a greater commitment must be made. Van Zant went 528-451-1 with the Mountaineers over 18 seasons. WVU finished 2012 with a 23-32 overall record ... West Virginia athletic director Oliver Luck certainly made a huge splash with the hiring of Mazey. Mazey has spent the last six seasons as the associate head coach at TCU, dealing primarily with pitchers. However, he has had an integral with the rest of the staff as well. Before his stint at TCU, Mazey spent three successful seasons as the head coach at East Carolina.
Western Illinois
Out: Mike Villano In: Ryan Brownlee Buzz: With the fall semester approaching, Villano surprised many by announcing his resignation to pursue other interest outside of baseball, particularly business sales. Villano spent three seasons with the Leathernecks, guiding the program to a tough 17-35 overall record and last-place Summit League finish this past season. Hoping to make a statement, the Leathernecks hired someone with strong knowledge of the region in Iowa's Ryan Brownlee. Brownlee has spent the last 15 seasons as an assistant coach, nine of them with Jack Dahm and the Hawkeyes.
William & Mary
Out: Frank Leoni In: Jamie Pinzino Buzz: William & Mary coach Frank Leoni announced his resignation. Leoni had spent the last seven seasons with the Tribe, where he compiled a 196-178 (.524) overall record. He also recorded 96 wins during Colonial Athletic Association play. Leonie announced that'd he'd be pursuing other opportunities. The Tribe hired previous assistant Jamie Pinzino as the replacement for Leoni. Pinzino spent six seasons as the head coach at Bryant before assistant stints at Northeastern an William & Mary.
Youngstown State
Out: Rich Pasquale In: Steve Gillispie Buzz: The Penguins have struggled lately and released head coach Rich Pasquale as head coach. Pasquale spent five seasons as the head coach at YSU, compiling a 86-187 overall record. This past season, Pasquale guided the Penguins to a rough 11-44 overall record ... The Penguins have made a really solid hire. They snagged Steve Gillispie, who previously was an assistant coach at Jacksonville State. Gillispie has an impressive resume. He spent the last 10 seasons at Jacksonville State, but was a scout in the Philadelphia Phillies organization at one point. He also coached at Nebraska back in the 1990s.