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.
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