Brad Hill Named K-State Baseball Coach
Jun 03, 2003 | Baseball
June 3, 2003
MANHATTAN, Kan. - Kansas State University Director of Athletics Tim Weiser on Tuesday announced the hiring of Brad Hill as the 20th head baseball coach in school history.
"I think one of the things I wanted to find first in a baseball coach was someone who was a good fit," said Weiser. "Clearly with Brad's ties to the state as both a player and a coach, it was pretty obvious to me he would be a good fit. Beyond that, if you look at Brad's history, the fact that he competed at the World Series as a player and now has consistently been in World Series play as an assistant coach at Kansas under Dave (Bingham) and now several times as a head coach at at Central Missouri State, it speaks to the fact that he's a winner. He knows how to win. I think in the end that's what we knew was important for us."
Hill, 41, comes to Kansas State after an ultra-successful nine-year stint as the head coach at Central Missouri State in Warrensburg, Mo. The winningest active Division II coach in the nation, Hill guided the Mules to an impressive 418-91 (.821) overall record during his tenure. The seven-time Central Region Coach of the Year, he led the school to the NCAA Tournament each of his nine seasons, including seven trips to the College World Series.
Hill recently concluded his ninth year at Central Missouri by helping the school win its second national championship in baseball and first since 1994. The Mules capped their fourth straight season of 50 or more wins on Saturday night by rallying for an 11-4 victory over the University of Tampa at Paterson Field in Montgomery, Ala. Trailing 4-3 after five innings, CMSU scored eight unanswered runs in the last four frames to give Hill his first national championship. For his efforts, he was named the 2003 NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year. It marked the second time in three seasons that Hill had coached the Mules to the championship game.
"First of all, I am very excited to be here at Kansas State," said Hill. "Just coming off a national championship at Central Missouri, I am anxious to get started. I really appreciate the opportunity Tim (Weiser) and Casey (Scott) have given me to build a successful baseball program. I am looking forward to the challenge of taking this program to the next level."
The national championship this past season came on the heels of back-to-back record-breaking years by Central Missouri in 2001 and 2002. The Mules posted a then school-record 53 wins in 2001 en route to advancing to their first championship game under Hill where they lost to St. Mary's of Texas by a score of 11-3. A year later in 2002, he broke the school record for wins yet again by posting 54 en route to a third place finish at the College World Series. The Mules' winning percentage of .838 (290-56) over the past six seasons ranks among the best in the nation.
Hill's .821 winning percentage in nine seasons is the best among active Division II coaches with at least five seasons as a head coach. Hill's .821 winning percentage ranks second in CMSU baseball history, a mere two points behind current Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn, who went 51-11 in his one season as coach in 1994. With 481 wins, Hill is the all-time winningest coach in school history with over 200 more victories than the coach in second place (248, Bob Tompkins, 1965-80).
Hill has a career head coaching record of 501-141 (.780) in 12 seasons, which includes his nine years at Central Missouri and a three-year stint at Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, Kan., from 1988-90. His teams have won 40 or more games seven times and 50-plus games on four occasions. He is believed to be the only coach in Division II history to guide his team to four consecutive 50-win seasons.
"I have always been intrigued with the athletics program at Kansas State," said Hill. "Just look at the success the football team has achieved under Coach Snyder the last 15 years. There is a tremendous commitment to athletic excellence here, including baseball. It comes from the top down with President (Jon) Wefald. Just look at the beautiful, new state-of-the-art stadium. I'm just excited to be around people that want to help build a successful baseball program."
Under Hill's guidance, a number of Central Missouri players have earned national acclaim. He has seen 22 of his players earn All-America distinction as a first, second or third team selections, including 10 first-team honorees. Hill coached at least two All-Americans in eight of his nine seasons at Central, including four each in 2001 and 2002. He has coached one National Player of the Year in 2001 recipient Chris Umphres and back-to-back national defensive players of the year (Chris Curry in 2000 and Umphres in 2001). Hill has also helped five individuals earn Central Region Player and Pitcher of the Year accolades, including the last three Players of the Year. His influence extends off the field as well, as four players have earned Verizon/CoSIDA Academic All-American honors.
"We had to have someone who understood the uniqueness of Kansas State and the challenges we have here," said Weiser. "Yet knows how to build a winner. Having watched his team play here a week or so ago (at the Division II World Series), they play hard and smart. They play the way I was taught to play the game. Those are all things that strike me as obvious reasons why he is a perfect choice to build on the success that Mike has laid in the way of a foundation for this program."
The Mules dominated the Mid-American Athletic Association (MIAA) during Hill's tenure, winning eight conference titles and posting a gaudy 198-17 (.921) league mark. The seven-time conference Coach of the Year has coached six league most valuable players, two freshman of the year and one pitcher of the year. In all, 43 players have earned first team All-MIAA honors under Hill.
In each of the last six seasons, Central Missouri has led the MIAA in batting average, earned run average and fielding percentage. In 2003, the Mules not only led the league in all three categories, but also ranked in the top 10 nationally in the NCAA. CMSU ranked second in Division II in batting average (.363), fourth in scoring (9.7 runs/game), seventh in ERA (3.14) and 10th in fielding percentage (.968).
Before coming to Central Missouri in 1995, Hill was an assistant coach at the University of Kansas under his college coach, Dave Bingham, for four seasons. The Jayhawks' hitting coach and recruiting coordinator from 1991-94, he helped Kansas to a 144-92 overall record and a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances, including the school's first and only trip to the College World Series in 1993. The 1993 team broke school records for most hits, doubles, triples, home runs and stolen bases in a single-season. Of note, the Jayhawks posted a 10-7 record against the Wildcats during his Hill's tenure in Lawrence.
Prior to joining the Kansas coaching staff, Hill was the head coach at Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, Kan., for three seasons from 1988-90, compiling an 83-50 overall record. His 1989 squad posted a school-record 34 wins, while in 1990 the Dragons registered the highest winning percentage in school history with a 32-9 overall mark.
Hill graduated from Emporia State in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in health and physical education. He was a four-time NAIA All-America selection for legendary head coach Dave Bingham and the Hornets from 1981-84. Hill capped off his stellar four-year career by helping ESU to the 1984 NAIA College World Series. For his efforts, he was named a second team All-American and the ESU Student-Athlete of the Year. A 1993 inductee into the ESU Athletic Hall of Honor, Hill still owns a majority of the Hornets' offensive marks, including the career marks for games played (244), at-bats (809), hits (302), runs scored (241), RBIs (264), doubles (71) and home runs (47).
Following his collegiate playing career, Hill spent four seasons in the Texas Rangers' minor league system before entering the coaching profession.
A native of Galva, Kan., Hill is a 1980 graduate of Canton-Galva High School where he was a three-sport athlete.
Hill and his wife, Crystal, have three children; sons Skylar Southards (20) and Harrison (10) and daughter Shelby Lynne (9).
Hill takes over as head coach of the Wildcats following the resignation of 17-year head coach Mike Clark on May 5.
"I have a great deal of respect and admiration for Mike Clark," said Hill. "He has done a tremendous job here under some tough circumstances. I would not be here right now if it wasn't for all the hard work that Mike has put in these last 17 years to help build this program. Some of the things this program now enjoys, like the new stadium, are all due to the blood, sweat and tears of Mike Clark. I am looking forward to building on the foundation he has laid."
The Hill File
Hometown: Galva, Kan. (Canton-Galva High School, McPherson, Kan.)
Birthdate: May 2, 1962
Education: Emporia State '85 (B.S. Health and Physical Education)
Family: Wife, Crystal... Stepson Skylar Southards (20)... Son Harrison (10)... Daughter Shelby Lynne (9).
Hill's Coaching Experience
1988-90 - Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, Head Coach (83-50, .624)1991-94 - University of Kansas, Assistant Coach/Hitting/Recruiting Coordinator (144-92, .610)1995-2003 - Central Missouri State University, Head Coach (418-91, .821)2003-Kansas State University, Head Coach
Hill's Year-by-Year Coaching Record
Year School Position Record League Finish Postseason1988 Hutchinson CC Head coach 17-231989 Hutchinson CC Head coach 34-181990 Hutchinson CC Head coach 32-91991 Kansas Assistant coach 31-28 5th (11-13)/Big 81992 Kansas Assistant coach 25-28 T6th (8-16)/Big 81993 Kansas Assistant coach 45-18 2nd (17-9)/Big 8 NCAA Mideast Regional Champion, CWS Series (8th)1994 Kansas Assistant coach 40-18 3rd (17-9)/Big 8 NCAA Atlantic II Regional Participant1995 C. Missouri St. Head coach 49-10 1st (15-1)/MIAA NCAA Central Region Champions, CWS (3rd)1996 C. Missouri St. Head coach 40-12 1st (16-2)/MIAA NCAA Central Region Participant1997 C. Missouri St. Head coach 39-13 1st (17-2)/MIAA NCAA Central Region Champions, CWS (T5th)1998 C. Missouri St. Head coach 39-8 1st (20-2)/MIAA NCAA Central Region Champions, CWS (T7th)1999 C. Missouri St. Head coach 43-10 2nd (20-1)/MIAA NCAA Central Region Participant2000 C. Missouri St. Head coach 50-13 1st (29-1)/MIAA NCAA Central Region Champions, CWS (T5th)2001 C. Missouri St. Head coach 53-10 1st (26-3)/MIAA NCAA Central Region Champions, CWS (2nd)2002 C. Missouri St. Head coach 54-8 1st (28-3)/MIAA NCAA Central Region Champions, CWS (3rd)2003 C. Missouri St. Head coach 51-7 1st (27-2)/MIAA NCAA Central Region Champions, CWS (1st)
Overall Coaching Record: 645-233 (.735)/16 years
Overall Head Coaching Record: 501-141 (.780)/12 years
Record at Hutchinson Community College: 83-50 (.624)/3 years
Record at Kansas: 144-92 (.610)/4 years
Record at Central Missouri State: 418-91 (.821)/9 years
Hill's Coaching Accomplishments
-2003 NCAA Division II National Championship
-Two Trips to the NCAA Division II National Championship Game (2001, 2003)
-Seven Trips to the NCAA Division II College World Series (1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003)
-Seven NCAA Central Region Championships (1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003)
-Nine Consecutive Trips to the NCAA Division II Tournament (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002)
-Eight Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Championships (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003)
-One NCAA Division II Player of the Year (Chris Umphres, First Base, 2001)
-Two NCAA Division II Defensive Players of the Year (Chris Curry, Second Base, 2000; Chris Umphres, First Base, 2001)
-22 All-Americans (10 first team, eight second team and four third team)
-Four Verizon/CoSIDA Academic All-Americans (Bob Poisal, 1995; Aaron Christensen, 1997; Brayden Whitney, 1998; Corey Clinefelter, 2001)
-Five NCAA Central Region Players of the Year (1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003)
-Five NCAA Central Region Pitchers of the Year (1995, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002)
-43 First Team All-MIAA Conference Selections
-Six MIAA Most Valuable Players (1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003)
-Two MIAA Freshman of the Year (1998, 2003)
-One MIAA Pitcher of the Year
Hill's Coaching Honors
-Winningest Active Head Coach in NCAA Division II (.821)
-Winningest Head Coach in Central Missouri State history (418)
-2003 NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year
-Seven-time Central Region Coach of the Year (1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003)
-Seven-time Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Coach of the Year (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003)
-Two-time Missouri/Illinois Area College Coach of the Year by the Greater St. Louis Area Baseball Scouts Association (1998, 2001)
Hill's Playing Honors
-Guided Emporia State to a 155-91 (.630) record from 1981-84 capped by an appearance in the 1984 NAIA College World Series (2-2)
-Inducted into the Emporia State Athletic Hall of Honor in 1993-Four-time All-American (first team in 1981, honorable mention in 1982 and 1983 and second team in 1984)
-Still holds seven career records at ESU, including games played (244), at-bats (809), hits (302), runs scored (241), RBIs (264), doubles (71) and home runs (47). Also ranks second all-time in walks (148) and eighth in batting average (.373)
-Hit a team-best .421 as a freshman in 1981 which ranks as the 9th best single-season batting average in ESU history.
