News Summary
San Diego State University has announced the departure of baseball head coach Shaun Cole after two difficult seasons. With a disappointing record of 38 wins and 76 losses, the team struggled in the Mountain West Conference. As the program looks to improve, a search for Cole’s successor begins, with potential candidates including several notable coaches known for talent development. The decision to part ways reflects the university’s goal to enhance the performance and reputation of the Aztec baseball team moving forward.
San Diego, CA – San Diego State University (SDSU) has officially parted ways with baseball head coach Shaun Cole following two challenging seasons that culminated in a significant loss record. The announcement was made by SDSU Director of Athletics John David Wicker, highlighting the need for a change in leadership for the baseball program.
During his tenure, Cole concluded with a disappointing record of 38 wins and 76 losses, translating to a winning percentage of only .333. The Aztecs faced tough competition in the Mountain West Conference, finishing the last two seasons with records of 17-37 and 20-39 under Cole’s guidance. The team struggled particularly with pitching, evidenced by a 6.98 Earned Run Average (ERA) and a 1.87 WHIP (Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched).
The Aztecs led the Mountain West Conference in several unwanted categories, including walks, runs allowed, wild pitches, balks, and hit batters. Despite these struggles, the team managed to secure a spot in the Mountain West Tournament, finishing their conference play with a modest 14-16 record. However, their postseason was short-lived; although they won their opening game against the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), they lost their next two matches, marking the end of their season.
As the program moves forward, a search for Cole’s successor will begin immediately. Among the potential candidates are notable coaches such as Rusty Filter, the current head coach at Santa Clara, and a former player and assistant coach at SDSU. Filter has a proven track record of developing talent, including producing Stephen Strasburg, the first overall pick in the 2009 MLB draft. Other candidates under consideration include Brock Ungricht, head coach at the University of San Diego, Gary Henderson from the University of Utah, and Rich Hill, who currently leads the University of Hawaii baseball program.
Wicker expressed gratitude towards Cole for his dedication to the baseball program, but emphasized that a change was required to rejuvenate the team and set it on a better path for the future. Additional comments were made by SDSU Senior Associate Athletic Director Jamie McConeghy and Assistant Director Jim Solien, although they opted not to provide further elaboration on the decision to let Cole go.
Shaun Cole’s dismissal marks a significant shift for the SDSU baseball program as they aim to improve their competitive standing in the Mountain West Conference and beyond. The decision reflects a broader goal to enhance the performance and reputation of the Aztec baseball team moving forward.
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Additional Resources
- San Diego Union-Tribune
- Wikipedia: San Diego State Aztecs baseball
- The Daily Aztec
- Google Search: San Diego State baseball coach Shaun Cole
- East Village Times
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Baseball
- BVM Sports
- Google News: Shaun Cole SDSU baseball
- Times of San Diego
- Google Scholar: Shaun Cole baseball SDSU
