FULLERTON, Calif. – In a joint announcement by athletic director Jim Donovan and Titan Baseball head coach Rick Vanderhook, it was announced on Friday that after spending 10 years at the helm of the Cal State Fullerton program, Rick Vanderhook has decided to retire, effective December 30, 2021. Until his effective retirement date, he will be serving in a role as special assistant to the athletic director.
"I am very appreciative of all that Hook (Vanderhook) has done for our baseball program and want to celebrate those successes," Donovan said. "I have fond memories of our winning at Louisville and Long Beach State to secure trips in 2015 and 2017 to Omaha, the Big West Championships we won and his part in us winning the Big West Commissioner's Cup in 2017-2018. In addition to his achievements on the field, Coach has also been a prolific fundraiser, raising more than $2.6 million for Titans Baseball - the most of any coach in school history - and for that we are extremely grateful."
In 10 seasons as the Titans' head coach, Vanderhook led Fullerton to seven NCAA Tournament appearances. His teams won five Big West Conference championships and four NCAA Regional titles along with two trips to the College World Series in 2015 and 2017. His record as head coach of the Titans was 322-225. Vanderhook was named Big West Coach of the Year five times over his career.
Prior to being named head coach in 2012, Vanderhook spent 21 years as an assistant coach with the Titans (1985-1988, 1991-2007) where he was a part of the national championship teams in 1995 and 2004. In 1995 he was named Collegiate Baseball's National Assistant Coach of the year.
A product of the prominent Cerritos College program where he played for Horton, Vanderhook originally came to the Titans in 1983 when he took a redshirt season. He was a member of the Titans' 1984 national championship team, earning his first of three Cal State Fullerton championship rings.
"It has been a pleasure to be the head coach of this program," said Vanderhook. "I have spent most of my career here and I am proud of all the things we were able to accomplish on the field. Not only on the field, but I am proud of all the student-athletes that earned their degrees under my tutelage. I am looking forward to continuing to work with Jim Donovan for the rest of the year."
A national search for a new head coach will begin immediately.