Dan McDonnell named Baseball America national Coach of the Year

Baseball America has named Louisville head coach Dan McDonnell as its national Coach of the Year for the 2017 season. This is the second national COY award that McDonnell has received in his career, and the first from Baseball America.

McDonnell helped U of L set a school record for wins in 2017, guiding the Cardinals to a 53-12 record and a trip to the College World Series in Omaha.

“I don’t think anybody could’ve foreseen something this exceptional—what he’s done,” Jurich said of McDonnell. “He’s not only just a wonderful addition to the university and the athletic department, but he’s a wonderful addition to the community, and he’s really put baseball on the map here.”

Jurich signed McDonnell to a 10-year extension with a $1 million annual base salary prior to the 2017 season. The deal is fitting, given that McDonnell and his staff have helped make several Cardinals millionaires over the last few drafts.

Louisville quickly has evolved into one of the country’s top programs in terms of player development. Kyle Funkhouser (35th overall, 2015), Ray (No. 5 overall, 2016) and McKay (No. 4 overall, 2017) make it three straight years that Louisville has set a record for its highest draft pick ever.

Congrats to coach Mac on a very deserved honor.