UCLA head baseball coach John Savage and the University have agreed to another contract extension that will run through 2017, athletic director Dan Guerrero announced today.

This new extension is an amendment to the extension that Savage signed back in 2011, adding two more years to the previous deal that was scheduled to run through 2015. Entering his ninth season at the helm of the UCLA Baseball program, Savage has led the Bruins to six NCAA Tournament appearances in the last seven years and guided the program to College World Series appearances in 2010 and 2012. He also coached the Bruins to Pac-12 Championships in 2011 and 2012, marking the first time in school history that UCLA has won back-to-back conference titles.

“We are very excited to have signed John to another extension,” Guerrero said. “He has brought this program to new heights with two College World Series appearances in three years, and has established UCLA Baseball as a consistent national championship contender. In addition, John’s players continually succeed both on and off the field at UCLA and exemplify what it means to be a UCLA student-athlete. We are very proud to have him as our coach and are excited for what the future holds for UCLA Baseball.”

“UCLA has been a special place for me and my family,” Savage said. “I am grateful to Dan Guerrero and the administration for allowing me to build on the success that we’ve had in recent years and to continue that success for years to come.”

This past spring, Savage coached the Bruins to a 48-16 record and a No. 2 national seed in the NCAA Tournament, the highest seed the program has ever received. In 2011, he led UCLA to its first outright conference title since 1986 and saw right-handed pitchers Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer get drafted No. 1 and No. 3 respectively in the 2011 MLB Draft. Under Savage’s coaching, Bauer also became the first UCLA ballplayer to earn the Golden Spikes Award, given out annually to nation’s top amateur player. Savage is one of just eight coaches in the history of college baseball to have led his team to a College World Series, produced a No. 1 overall MLB Draft selection and coached a Golden Spikes Award winner.

In 2010, UCLA won a school-record 51 games and advanced to the finals of the College World Series for the first time in program history. Savage is also the first head coach at UCLA to lead the baseball program to three consecutive postseason appearances, achieving the feat twice (2006-08, 2010-12). In addition, Savage has continued to bring in outstanding recruiting classes at UCLA, with seven of his eight recruiting classes being nationally ranked in the top 20 by Baseball America. Earlier this fall, Savage brought in the No. 2 ranked recruiting class in the country for the 2013 season.

UCLA has continued to succeed in the professional ranks under Savage as well. In his eight seasons as UCLA head coach, 58 Bruins have been selected in the Major League Baseball Draft. Six of Savage’s former players at UCLA (pitchers Hector Ambriz, Bauer, Tyson Brummett, David Huff and Josh Roenicke and shortstop Brandon Crawford) have played in the Major Leagues.

TCU Head Coach To Head 2013 USA Staff…

DURHAM, N.C. — USA Baseball announced Thursday the naming of Jim Schlossnagle as manager of the 2013 Collegiate National Team. The TCU head coach will be making his managerial debut for Team USA. He previously wore the red, white and blue as pitching coach of the 2006 Collegiate team.

Schlossnagle joined the TCU coaching staff in 2003 and became just the program’s ninth coach since 1940. He has won more games (388) in nine years than any coach in TCU history after posting the top nine win totals each of the last nine years. He is 388-175 (.689) as the head coach at TCU and 465-222 (.677) in 11 years as a head coach.

“The 2006 Collegiate National Team, led by Vanderbilt’s Tim Corbin, is arguably one of the best teams ever fielded by USA Baseball,” said Eric Campbell, USA Baseball National Teams General Manager. “Along with the hitters, the pitching staff was historic. Jim Schlossnagle led a staff anchored by current Tampa Rays star David Price, and it’s a pleasure to announce that Jim will lead the 2013 Collegiate National Team as its field manager.”

In addition to Price, the Schlossnagle-led 2006 pitching staff also included several players that have since logged Major League experience, such as TCU’s own Jake Arrieta, Ross Detwiler, Sean Doolittle, and Tommy Hunter. The U.S. team went 28-2 in 2006, and it was led by a pitching staff which posted a 1.24 ERA, with 341 strikeouts against only 98 walks in 275 innings pitched.

“I am truly humbled and honored to have the privilege of leading the 2013 Collegiate National Team,” said Schlossnagle. “My experience as an assistant coach in 2006 was a life experience that I will never forget, so, to get the opportunity to wear the USA uniform again is something that I am very thankful for. I am so grateful to the USA staff and to TCU for allowing me to represent our country on the international stage. Although our complete focus right now is on our respective institutions, I know our Collegiate National Team staff will be prepared to compete at the highest level next summer.”

Schlossnagle is a seven-time Mountain West Coach of the Year and was named the NCBWA National Coach of the Year in 2010 after leading TCU to its first-ever berth in the NCAA College World Series. TCU has finished ranked in the top 20 each of the last four seasons, including a high ranking of No. 3 at the end of the 2010 campaign. In 20 years of coaching at the Division I level, he has made 17 appearances in the NCAA Regionals, four NCAA Super Regionals and two in the College World Series.

The 2013 Collegiate National Team schedule and the remainder of the coaching staff are currently being finalized, but plans are in place for Team USA to continue its international friendship series with both Japan and Cuba. An announcement will be made prior to the end of the year and details will be available on USABaseball.com. In 2012, the Collegiate team finished with an 12-5 record, and its season was highlighted by a rekindling of the Cuba series — Cuba hosted and took the series three games to two — and a bronze medal at Honkbal Week in the Netherlands.

“Between the U.S. and Japan Collegiate All-Star series and the return of the Cuba series, which was restarted in 2012 with a team led by Tennessee’s Dave Serrano and an incredible staff, Jim will have a unique opportunity to help build upon two strong relationships that we share within the international baseball community,” Campbell said.

NCAA Violation Leads To Two Week Ban…

Repayments of the improper housing benefits by three coaches during Godwin’s tenure have already been submitted, received and verified, while the baseball program and ECU Educational Foundation (Pirate Club) staff have completed ancillary NCAA rules education training. Revisions to donor gift-in-kind and contributed services approval forms, and the procedural documentation of rental agreements by future volunteer coaches have also been implemented.

“It’s my responsibility to be in a lead role to promote compliance for our staff and players, and on top of that list is a thorough understanding of all NCAA rules,” Godwin said. “This wasn’t something that was conceived under the cover of darkness or done covertly. I was aware of the situation and assumed it was a permissible way to perhaps mitigate the financial burden our volunteer coach has without a salary or stipend. A lack of understanding of the rules is not, nor ever will be, an excuse.”

East Carolina submitted its report to the NCAA on Dec. 12, 2011, and will now await the association’s official ruling, which is expected in the near future.

Impermissible benefits, gifts and services to other ECU sports, coaches and student-athletes were not found during the process of the self-investigation.

“The NCAA and the university have worked hand-in-glove throughout the complete process and the ECU Office of Athletics Compliance under Jamie Johnson has worked tirelessly and effectively to resolve all issues on a timely and appropriate basis,” Holland added.

Godwin, who owns a 217-138 record as the Pirates’ head coach, has led East Carolina to NCAA Regional appearances in four of six seasons. ECU, which will begin itsin-season practice schedule Jan. 27 and open the 2012 campaign Feb. 17, turned in a 41-21 mark and advanced to the Charlottesville Regional a year ago.

In his absence, Godwin said, assistant coach Nick Schnabel will fill his role on a daily basis.

(Release)

Veteran Catcher Named To Replace LaRussa…

New Cardinals manager Mike Matheny played at Michigan from 1989-1991 (Courtesy MGoblue.com).

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — University of Michigan alumnus and 13-year Major League Baseball veteran Mike Matheny (1989-91) was officially introduced as the 49th manager in St. Louis Cardinals history at a press conference Monday (Nov. 14). Matheny replaces Tony LaRussa, who retired after the Cardinals won the 2011 World Series in seven games over the Texas Rangers.

Matheny becomes the first Wolverine alum to manage in the Major Leagues since Steve Boros (1956-57) was the skipper of both the Oakland Athletics (1983-84) and the San Diego Padres (1986).

“It’s very exciting to have one of our own named manager of the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals,” Michigan head coach Rich Maloney said. “Mike was an outstanding player at Michigan, a Gold Glove winner and All-Star in the big leagues, and now a Major League manager. Mike continues to raise the bar in everything he does. He’s a true class act, and we in the Michigan family could not be more proud.”

Matheny played for four teams during his Major League career and won four Gold Gloves at catcher, earning three with the Cardinals (2000, ’03, ’04) and another with the San Francisco Giants (2005). He helped the Cardinals to postseason play four times in five seasons, including a World Series appearance in 2004. Matheny also played for the Milwaukee Brewers and Toronto Blue Jays and ended his playing career with the San Francisco Giants. His best power year came with the Giants in 2005 when he hit 13 home runs and 34 doubles, drove in 59 runs and had a .406 slugging percentage.

A native of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, Matheny earned the Ray L. Fisher Award (Michigan’s Most Valuable Player) and was named to the All-Big Ten Conference third team his junior year (1991) in Ann Arbor. He had 15 doubles, seven home runs, and 39 runs batted in as a co-captain. A member of the 1990 Big Ten All-Academic team, Matheny won the Ted Sizemore Award as Michigan’s top fielder as a freshman and had just one error in 174 chances in 1990. He helped Michigan to the Big Ten regular-season title and an NCAA Regional appearance in 1989. Matheny was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the eighth round of the 1991 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

Matheny recently visited Ann Arbor as he was the keynote speaker in the 2011 Michigan baseball banquet in May.

(Release)

OU Assistant Named Associate Head Coach At Alma Mater…

Tadlock, 42, spent the previous six years producing several of the nation’s top recruiting classes at Oklahoma while helping lead the Sooners back to the College World Series in 2010.

“It’s my pleasure to welcome Tim Tadlock back to Lubbock and into the Red Raider baseball program,” Spencer said. “Tim is considered one of the elite college coaches and recruiters in the nation. He will be an asset to our program and we are excited for him to join us.”

It didn’t take Tadlock long to make his mark on the recruiting trail at Oklahoma, as his 2006 recruiting class ranked fourth nationally by Collegiate Baseball Magazine. The No. 4 ranking was the best for the Sooners since 1987.

Tadlock also had top-25 nationally ranked recruiting classes by Baseball America in 2006 (11th), 2009 (16th), 2010 (21st) and 2012 (13th). In addition, OU’s 2012 recruiting class received a No. 4 ranking this fall by Collegiate Baseball Magazine.

During his tenure at Oklahoma (2006-2011), the Sooners made five trips to the NCAA Tournament with two Super Regional appearances in 2006 and 2010 while making it back to the College World Series in Omaha in 2010. It marked OU’s first time to make five post-season appearances in a six year span since 1987-1992. The Sooners had unparalleled success at the plate under Tadlock’s guidance. Oklahoma batted over .300 during all six of his seasons – first time for OU since 1995-2000 – and his 2009 and 2010 clubs combined for 195 home runs, the most ever at Oklahoma in consecutive seasons while leading the Big 12 in home runs both years. The Sooners 104 home runs in 2010 rank second all-time in Oklahoma history.

While an assistant at Oklahoma, Tadlock mentored 41 players who were selected in the Major League Baseball First Year Players Draft. In 2011 the Sooners had 11 players taken in the draft which tied an all-time Big 12 record (Texas, 2007). In fact, during three of Tadlock’s six years with the Sooners at least nine players were taken in the draft.

Tadlock, like Spencer, played for legendary coach Larry Hays (1990-91) at Texas Tech before starting his career in college coaching as an assistant at Hill College in 1992.

After spending four seasons at Hill College, Tadlock became the head coach at Grayson County Junior College, where he led the Vikings to back-to-back National Junior College Athletic Association World Series titles in 1999 and 2000. During his nine seasons at Grayson, Tadlock posted a 435-127 (.774) overall record while being named National Coach of the Year following both title runs (1999-2000).

In addition, Tadlock recorded the highest winning percentage of any collegiate baseball coach, including all two and four-year institutions, with a .774 winning percentage while at Grayson County.

The Red Raiders benefited from six players that transferred to Tech from Tadlock’s program at Grayson while he was head coach. Included in those student-athletes are Texas Tech All-American shortstop Cameron Blair (2004-05) and former Major League catcher Trey Lunsford (1999-00).

Tadlock also served as the director of athletics at Grayson from 2000-2005.

After a prep career at Denton High School and two years at Hill College, Tadlock was a two-year starting shortstop for the Red Raiders while helping Texas Tech to its first-ever 40-win season as a senior in 1991 (42-18).

In his two-year career at Tech, Tadlock played in 120 games, batted .289 (120-for-415) with 96 runs scored, 19 doubles, four triples, eight home runs, 68 RBI, 71 walks, 65 strikeouts and was 28-of-41 in stolen bases.

Tadlock graduated with his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Texas Tech in May 1992. He also earned a master’s degree in education in August 1994 from the University of Texas at Tyler.

(Release)

Big Season Leads To 6-Year Deal…

After leading San Francisco to the second West Coast Conference Championship and NCAA Regional berth in program history, head coach Nino Giarratano earned a six-year contract extension to remain on the Hilltop as announced today by Director of Athletics Scott Sidwell.

“The work and the passion Nino and his staff have put into Dons Baseball are nothing short of remarkable,” Sidwell said. “USF has emerged as a consistent threat in the West Coast Conference and have turned in record-setting seasons on the diamond, in the classroom and in the community. We are pleased to keep Nino and his staff on the Hilltop, representing the Green and Gold for years to come. We are committed to helping Nino and the baseball program emerge as a national power and advance to the College World Series.”

San Francisco marched to the program’s second WCC Championship last season and led the league from wire-to-wire after defeating Gonzaga in the final game of the regular season. The Diamond Dons earned the automatic berth into the Los Angeles Regional where it defeated Regional host UCLA and the eventual No. 1 pick in the 2011 Major League Amateur Draft Gerrit Cole 3-0 at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

“I’m humbled and I’m glad someone wants me to coach,” Giarratano said. “I am really proud of where we are going with the program and where we’ve come with the program and how much we can do to improve the program. When you look at a contract extension, you’re always glad to get it and now hopefully we can make the same progress in the next six years that we’ve made in the last 13 years here at USF.”

Following the 2011 season, Giarratano earned his third WCC Coach of the Year honor after also being recognized by his peers in 2005 and 2006. Ten Dons earned postseason All-WCC honors for their performance on the diamond and nine garnered WCC All-Academic accolades.

Preparing for his 14th season as the Dons head coach, Giarratano owns a 368-370 record at USF and is just six victories shy of passing Legend of the Hilltop Dante Benedetti for the most wins in program history. Giarratano currently ranks eighth among WCC leaders in overall coaching triumphs and is seventh in career league wins with 169.

Since his arrival on the Hilltop, San Francisco baseball has posted four 30-plus victory seasons for a program that enjoyed just two campaigns with more than 30 wins in nearly a century. Since 2005, USF has posted an overall slate of 223-176 (.559) and has gone 94-62 (.603) during league play.

Giarratano guided San Francisco baseball to the program’s first NCAA Regional berth in 2006 after capturing the club’s inaugural WCC Championship. During their storied run, the Dons set program records for wins (39) and road victories (19), and three players were selected in the 2006 Major League Amateur Draft.

Since Giarratano’s tenure began at San Francisco, 18 players have been drafted, including five in the first three rounds of the Major League Amateur Draft. Three Diamond Dons have made their Major League debuts – Scott Cousins (Florida Marlins), Jesse Foppert (San Francisco Giants) and Aaron Poreda (Chicago White Sox).

“San Francisco is the greatest city in the world,” Giarratano said. “The university, the academics, the characteristics, the moral standards, the work of the people and the thread of the university and what it means to the city mean so much. It is an amazing place to raise a family from a cultural standpoint. My kids’ friends are here, my wife’s friends are here and my friends are here. The university has continued to make this progress to be one of the premier universities in the country.”

Prior to coming to USF, Giarratano spent two seasons serving as an assistant coach at Arizona State under head coach Pat Murphy. Giarratano served as hitting instructor, offensive coordinator and third base coach for the Sun Devils. During his final season in Tempe, Giarratano helped ASU reach the 1998 College World Series Championship game and constructed a staggering offense. Giarratano also served as recruiting coordinator for Arizona State, and the 1996 class was ranked third in the country by Baseball America, while the 1997 class was rated second.

(USF Release)

MLB Vet Joins DII Staff…

Morgan Ensberg (left) chats with Derek Jeter during his playing days.

Ensberg’s primary responsibilities will include working with the Triton hitters and infielders, as well as running camps.

“I think that this can be the best baseball school in the country,” said Ensberg, who primarily played third base during his career. “What UCSD has done in baseball has been incredible. The Tritons are consistently among the top-10 in the country and I’d love to help them be top-one in the country.”

No stranger to Southern California baseball, Ensberg graduated from Redondo Union High School in Redondo Beach, played for the Trojans at USC and spent time as a member of the San Diego Padres.

“We are so fortunate to be able to bring someone in with Morgan’s background and playing experience,” said Newman, who was named UCSD’s head coach in late August. “The players will relate well to him and he will be a great asset to our clubhouse.”

Drafted by Houston in the ninth round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft, Ensberg made his Astros debut on Sept. 20, 2000 and was with the team until 2007. His most memorable season came in 2005 as he was named a National League All-Star and helped lead Houston to a World Series appearance. He posted career-highs with 149 hits, 86 runs, 30 doubles, 36 home runs and 101 RBI over 150 games. Also in 2005, Ensberg was honored with a Silver Slugger Award for the best offensive third baseman in the National League. He finished fourth in league MVP voting.

In 2004, Ensberg won Houston’s Darryl Kile Good Guy Award, given to the player that best exemplifies the traits of “a good teammate, a great friend, a fine father and a humble man.”

In July of 2007, Ensberg was traded to San Diego, where he homered twice in his debut for the Padres. He then became a free agent and signed with the New York Yankees in late January of 2008. He played his final Major League game on May 25, 2008 as a Yankee.

While at USC, Ensberg won a national championship in 1998. He was tabbed an All-American as well as the team’s MVP and still stands as the only Trojan to ever amass 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a single season. Ensberg can be found among the top-10 in 15 offensive categories in USC’s record book.

Following his eight years in the big leagues, Ensberg returned to USC in 2010 to finish earning a finance degree. He also served as an assistant coach with the Trojans in 2010, working with the hitters and infielders and teaching base-running skills.

Currently, Ensberg is also a college baseball analyst for ESPN and co-hosts MLB Roundtrip, broadcast nationally by SiriusXM Satellite Radio.

UCSD, ranked No. 1 nationally for part of its 2011 campaign, made its fifth straight appearance in the NCAA postseason after winning its third consecutive CCAA regular season and tournament titles. The Tritons advanced to the Division II World Series in 2009 and 2010 and played in the national championship game in 2010.

Coach Considered Radar Gun Inventor…

Danny Litwiler led Florida State to the College World Series three times (FSU photo).

In 28 years of coaching Division I collegiate baseball at both Florida State and Michigan State, Litwhiler had a combined record of 678-445-9 (.603) and guided his teams to nine appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Litwhiler was inducted into the American Association of College Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1980 and was a recipient of the “Lefty Gomez Award” for outstanding contributions and distinguished service to college baseball.

Litwhiler’s head coaching career began in Tallahassee as he led the Seminole baseball team for nine seasons compiling a record of 190-83-1 (.695) from 1955-63. He led Florida State to seven NCAA Tournament and three College World Series appearances (1957, 1962, 1963) before taking over as head coach at Michigan State.

Under his direction at Florida State, Litwhiler never had a losing season and is credited for making the Seminoles a national powerhouse.  In fact, Litwhiler was the first coach at FSU to lead the Seminoles to the College World Series taking the Garnet & Gold in 1957 after guiding the team to a 22-9 record.  He also produced FSU’s first All-American players including three first team All-Americans in Dick Howser (1957-58), Buddy Teagle (192) and Mike Augustine (1963).

During his 19 seasons at Michigan State, Litwhiler, who was known to his players as “Skip,” amassed a record of 488-362-8 (.573), captured Big Ten Championships in 1971 and 1979, and led the Spartans to NCAA Tournament berths in 1978 and 1979.

Not only were his players successful at both Florida State and Michigan State, but 16 of Litwhiler’s players progressed to the major leagues, including Dick Howser (for whom FSU’s home stadium is now named), Ken Suarez and Woody Woodward at FSU, and Kirk Gibson (current Arizona Diamondbacks manager), Rick Miller, Steve Garvey and Mel Behney at MSU.

While at Michigan State, Litwiler is credited with helping develop the radar gun (MSU photo).

Litwhiler compiled a nine-year record of 190-83-1 (.695) from 1955-63 at Florida State and led the Seminoles to seven NCAA Tournament and three College World Series appearances (1957, 1962, 1963) before coming to MSU.

A great player and coach, Litwhiler also served as an ambassador and innovator. He was the International President for the U.S. Baseball Federation from 1978-83, a member of the technical committee of the International Association of Amateur Baseball, a member of the board of directors of the American Baseball Coaches Association, and conducted clinics in over 10 countries. Perhaps his greatest innovation and the most widely-known was the development of the radar speed gun, with the first prototype used at Michigan State now residing in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Other innovations included an unbreakable mirror for pitchers to check their deliveries and employment of a bat sawed in half to teach bunting. While at Florida State, Litwhiler developed “diamond dust,” which could be used to dry baseballs, and also “diamond grit,” which could be spread over wet spots in the infield, causing them to dry faster. All told, Litwhiler produced more than 100 inventions for the game.

In Litwhiler’s own 11-year major league career from 1940-51, he spent time with the Phillies, Cardinals, Braves and Reds. He was named an all-star in 1942 while playing for the Phillies. A member of the Cardinals’ 1944 World Championship team, Litwhiler was also with St. Louis when it lost in the 1943 World Series to New York.

Litwhiler, who entered the Army’s Special Services during World War II, did not play during the 1945 season but returned to the major leagues in 1946 with the Cardinals following his discharge. During his time in the service, Litwhiler helped organize recreation activities for thousands of troops and credited that time for preparing him for coaching.

One Coach Promoted, One Added…