ABCA/Diamond Regional Coaches of the Year Release
GREENSBORO, N.C. - Fourth-year Cal State Fullerton head coach Rick Vanderhook was named the American Baseball Coaches Association's West Region Coach of the Year, the organization announced Wednesday.
Vanderhook and the Titans went 39-25 in 2015 and went to the NCAA College World Series for the 17th time in program history and the first time since 2009, ending Fullerton's five-year drought without a trip to Omaha, the longest in school history.
The Titans 39 wins in 2015 were the second most in Vanderhook's tenure as head coach, second only to the 51-win season in 2013. Vanderhook currently holds a 160-80 record overall in four seasons at the helm.
During the regular season, Vanderhook earned Big West Conference Coach of the Year honors for the third time in four years after leading the Titans to their 20th Big West Conference title and 27th conference title overall. The Titans went 16-5 in the Big West, winning all eight series in conference including three sweeps.
The Titans advanced to the NCAA postseason for the 24th consecutive season in 2015 and swept the Fullerton Regional, defeating Pepperdine in the opening game followed by an extra-inning victory over Arizona State and then another victory over Pepperdine in the regional championship game.
Under Vanderhook, 18 Titans have been selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft including six more in 2015. Thomas Eshelman, Justin Garza, Tyler Peitzmeier, David Olmedo-Barrera, A.J. Kennedy and Jake Jefferies were each selected this season, the second most players drafted out of Fullerton in Vanderhook's tenure, second only to the seven Titans that were drafted in 2014.
The ABCA, founded in 1945, is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches at the amateur level. Its over 6,600 members represent all 50 states and 23 countries. Since its initial meeting of 27 college baseball coaches in June 1945, Association membership has broadened to include eight divisions: NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA, Junior College (NJCAA and Pacific Association Division), High School and Youth.
The ABCA/Diamond Coach of the Year Awards are sponsored by Diamond Sports. Diamond products are sold through team sporting goods stores nationwide. Product and purchase information can be found at diamond-sports.com. Diamond is the official baseball of the ABCA.
NCAA Div. I - ABCA/Diamond Regional Coaches of the Year
Region - Coach, School
Northeast - Brett Boretti, Columbia
East - Shawn Stiffler, VCU
Atlantic - Brian O'Connor, Virginia
South -Tim Corbin, Vanderbilt
South Central - Todd Whitting, Houston
Mideast - Dan Hartleb, Illinois
Midwest - Jim Schlossnagle, TCU
West - Rick Vanderhook, Cal State Fullerton
