Official: Michigan names former Maryland boss Erik Bakich as its new baseball coach
Previous story: Report: Michigan hires Maryland baseball coach Erik Bakich
The Michigan baseball program now has its man.
Officially.
The university announced Wednesday that former Maryland coach Erik Bakich has been hired to fill the program's void, replacing Rich Maloney.
Bakich, 34, is the youngest head baseball coach at any BCS-level school. He will be formally introduced at a 1 p.m. press conference on Thursday.
"My wife, son and I could not be more excited to join the Michigan Athletics family and the Ann Arbor community," said Bakich in a released statement. "The University of Michigan represents a standard of academic and athletic excellence which will be upheld by our coaches and players every day.
"Michigan baseball has a storied tradition and I am honored to lead this program back to winning championships. We are eager to attack the recruiting trail and will finalize our coaching staff as quickly as possible."
The news was first reported Wednesday by College Baseball Daily.
Former Maryland coach Erik Baklich, right, will be formerly introduced as Michigan's new baseball coach at a 1 p.m. press conference on Thursday.
Greg Fiume | Maryland Athletics
Bakich replaces Maloney, who went 341-224 during his 10 seasons in Ann Arbor before not being signed to a new deal in June. His club went 22-34 last season, the Wolverines' second-straight sub-.500 year.
Maloney made a base salary of $190,000 in 2011, and it's been reported that Bakich was offered a deal in the area of $400,000 per season. That figure has not been confirmed by Michigan.
"Coach Bakich is regarded as one of the top recruiters and developers of talent in collegiate baseball," Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said in a statement. "His leadership and enthusiasm will be critical in restoring our baseball program to a championship level.
"We are excited about Erik and his family joining Michigan Athletics."
During his three years at Maryland, Bakich went a combined 70-98 overall and 20-70 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. The Terrapins finished last in the six-team ACC Atlantic Division in each of his three season.
Maryland's record did improve in each of his three seasons, going from 17 wins in 2010 to 32 wins in 2012.
Known for his recruiting prowess, Bakich's first recruiting class at Maryland was ranked inside Baseball America's Top 25.
Prior to his stop at Maryland, Bakich spent seven seasons as an assistant and recruiting coordinator at Vanderbilt -- building Top 25 classes each season, including the signing of current Tampa Bay Rays star pitcher David Price.
He played college baseball at San Jose City College and East Carolina before spending one season in the Independent Professional Baseball League.
Bakich's biggest local tie comes in the form of Maryland pitching coach Sean Kenny, a Pioneer High School and Eastern Michigan graduate.
Also on Wednesday, University of Maryland athletic director Kevin Anderson released a statement thanking Bakich for his services.
"I would like to congratulate Erik and thank him for the job he has done in laying a foundation for success over the past three years," Anderson said. "While we're sorry to see Erik go, we are confident we can bring in someone who will represent our values at Maryland and who can continue the positive momentum we have built in our program.
"I wish Erik and his family all the best in this next chapter of their life."
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
Comments
Raoul
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 12:27 p.m.
To the naysayers: Maryland has historically been one of the worst programs in ACC baseball. Their 32-24 record in 2012 under Bakich represented the second-highest win total in the program's history. You can't just look at his overall record--context matters. In three years, Bakich took a shambles of a program and turned it into a respectable one. Given that the Big Ten is hardly one of the power conferences in college baseball, it's actually a coup to land an up-and-coming coach from one of the sport's top conferences. Also, in regard to the $400,000 figure that's been rumored: If that number is accurate, I highly doubt that's base salary--it's probably base salary plus additional compensation. Maloney's base salary was $190,000, but he was also making $159,000 in additional compensation for a total of $349,000. So the difference in pay isn't nearly as great as the article tries to make it appear.
B2Pilot
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 11:33 a.m.
The ACC & SEC are the top divisions in college baseball for all of you who do not follow college baseball. Michigan is a tough sell for a coach to come here. The Big ten is not a hot bed for baseball - not yet. My hope is that being a top recruiter we can get some of the kids from down south to look north. I think this is a very good hire. Maloney had a winning record at Ball state before he came here, how did that work out?
GetRealA2
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 9:59 a.m.
Mainly Mediocre Maryland Man Making More Money Mystifies Me!
belboz
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 1:48 a.m.
Completely uninspiring hire. Such an excellent recruiter would not have such a poor record. I would have been impressed with someone coaching in the south for the recruiting help. A step backwards it seems, but only time will tell. Seems like change for changes sake.
Blue Marker
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 11:10 a.m.
Underwhelmed here as well. The guy is 20-70 in conference play. DB is getting advised from someone and let's hope that person knows what they're talking about.
Danai
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 3:59 a.m.
I'm not a baseball fan and don't know much about the program but I wouldn't say that in and of itself "an excellent recruiter would not have such a poor record." Bakich was only at Maryland for 3 years. Look at the entire program in his time there. Sounds like he put the program on much better footing, has a great reputation as a coach, develops players, brought in great recruits and the wins have gone up each year. Again, I'm not a baseball fan but he looks good to me. I can't believe the salaries, though. Craziness. But I guess that's big-time college athletics.
B2Pilot
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 1:11 a.m.
Welcome coach! I would love to take a trip to Omaha in the near future! Go Blue!!
a2miguy
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 12:31 a.m.
Photo caption.... will be FORMERLY introduced? I can't wait to see that...
heartbreakM
Wed, Jun 27, 2012 : 11:23 p.m.
Would love to the new coach bring UnderArmour with him to replace this awful adidas stuff!! Good luck and go blue.
B2Pilot
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 1:12 a.m.
I don't care what they wear as long as Maize and Blue and they Win.