Dan Fitzgerald named Big 12 Coach of the Year following record-breaking KU baseball season

LAWRENCE, Kan. (KCTV) - A record-breaking season for the Kansas Jayhawks has earned several awards for the program. Most notable among them is for KU head baseball coach Dan Fitzgerald, who was named Big 12 Coach of the Year on Tuesday.

Fitzgerald, who led the Jayhawks to a 42-14 record and conference-leading 20 Big 12 wins, is the first Big 12 Coach of the Year in KU history.

“It’s a great honor for my entire coaching staff,” said Fitzgerald, who in his third season with the Jayhawks led KU to the best regular season in program history. “Individual awards always point to the awesome accomplishments of a team. My assistants are elite baseball coaches but even better men. I’m very proud of the work we have all done together.”

Under Fitzgerald, KU set program records for most regular season wins (42), Big 12 wins (20), conference wins (20), conference series wins (7), conference series sweeps (5), road wins (20) and home runs (98). The Jayhawks are one of just 10 teams in Division I baseball with at least 42 wins this season and are a lock to be included in next week’s NCAA Tournament.

Along with Fitzgerald, first baseman Brady Ballinger was named to the All-Big 12 First Team. Outfielder Jackson Hauge, pitcher Cooper Moore and designated hitter Dariel Osoria were named to the All-Big 12 Second Team. Brady Counsell was named an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.

The Jayhawks are the No. 2 seed in this week’s Big 12 Tournament in Arlington, Texas, and will find out their NCAA Tournament seed on Sunday.

KU will open the tournament in the quarterfinals against the winner of Oklahoma State and Baylor. That game will be played at 4 p.m. on Thursday and air on ESPNU.

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