UCLA Assistant Returns To Titans …
FULLERTON, Calif. – Rick Vanderhook has been named head baseball coach at Cal State Fullerton, after serving as an assistant coach at UCLA the past three seasons. Vanderhook played at Cal State Fullerton in 1983 and ’84 before spending 21 seasons as an assistant coach for the Titans.
Over the past three years at UCLA, Vanderhook guided the Bruins as their hitting and outfield coach, in addition to playing a central role in the program’s recruiting efforts.
“Rick did an outstanding job for our program the last three years,” head coach John Savage said. “I am very excited for him and his new opportunity, one that is well-deserved.”
Vanderhook has spent 26 total seasons as an assistant coach – 21 at Cal State Fullerton (1985-1988, 1991-2007), three at UCLA (2009-11) and two at Cal State Northridge (1989-1990).
In 2010, Vanderhook made his 11th trip to the College World Series as an assistant coach, helping lead UCLA to the program’s third appearance at the College World Series. UCLA ultimately advanced to the best-of-three championship series at the College World Series for the first time in school history, posting a school-record 51 wins that season.
In 2011, UCLA earned its first outright Pac-10 Conference title since 1986 and hosted an NCAA Regional for the second consecutive season. Prior to 2010, the Bruins had not hosted a postseason game since 1986.
During the past three seasons at UCLA, Vanderhook saw 12 of his hitters selected in the MLB Draft, including five position players at the conclusion of the 2011 season.
As a Division I assistant coach, Vanderhook has helped his teams compile a 1,026-469-2 record spanning 24 seasons. Overall, his teams have posted a 1,095-510-3 record in 26 years as a collegiate assistant coach.