SDSU Dismisses Head Baseball Coach Shaun Cole

Categories: College University AthleticsCollege/University NewsEducation

SDSU's baseball field in need of upgrades and maintenance.

News Summary

San Diego State University has decided to part ways with head baseball coach Shaun Cole after two disappointing seasons. Under his tenure, the Aztecs posted a 37-76 overall record, including a last-place finish in the Mountain West Conference. Following this decision, several players, including star hitters and the top pitcher, are entering the transfer portal. As the university seeks a new head coach, it faces challenges in recruitment amid changes in college athletics and facility conditions at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

San Diego

San Diego State University (SDSU) has terminated head baseball coach Shaun Cole after two challenging seasons. Under Cole’s leadership, the Aztecs recorded an overall record of 37 wins and 76 losses, including a disappointing 20-39 record in the most recent season. The decision was made public by Athletic Director John David Wicker, who emphasized the need for a shift in leadership.

During Cole’s tenure, SDSU had a difficult run, finishing last in the Mountain West Conference for the 2023 season with a 10-20 record. Despite qualifying for the Mountain West Conference tournament, the Aztecs were eliminated in the first round. Notably, the team struggled on the road, compiling a 10-41 record away from home and a combined conference record of 24-56 over the two seasons.

In the wake of Cole’s departure, multiple players have chosen to enter the transfer portal, including several star hitters as well as the team’s top pitcher. Among those leaving is sophomore infielder Finley Bates, who announced his decision to transfer on the same day he was named to the CSC Academic All-District Team for maintaining a GPA of 3.59. Bates proved to be a reliable player, starting 56 of 57 games throughout the season.

The transfer portal has opened, and thus far, at least eight SDSU players have declared their intent to transfer, indicating potential challenges ahead for the program.

SDSU is now embarking on a national search for a new head coach, with potential candidates emerging from programs in Hawaii, Santa Clara, USD, and Utah, all of whom have ties to the Aztec baseball tradition. The university aims to find a coach who can breathe new life into the baseball program amidst ongoing changes in the college athletics landscape, which includes Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and scholarship limitations that complicate recruitment and retention of talent.

The condition of SDSU’s baseball facility, Tony Gwynn Stadium, has also come under scrutiny, as it has fallen behind competing schools regarding maintenance and modern upgrades. This has further complicated the university’s efforts to attract qualified candidates and secure top players. The school is expected to allocate more resources toward the baseball program to entice experienced coaches from Division I backgrounds.

As the university navigates these challenges, it is evident that the competitive landscape for college baseball has evolved significantly. Factors such as NIL agreements and changes in scholarship allocations are impacting SDSU’s historical advantages, creating an urgent need for a strategic approach in revitalizing the baseball program.

The Aztecs will look to establish a more competitive presence in college baseball with a fresh leadership direction, hoping to re-establish themselves as formidable contenders in the Mountain West Conference.