Reports: Clemson to hire Erik Bakich as next head baseball coach
Clemson has hired Michigan coach Erik Bakich to be its next baseball coach, according to multiple reports.
The news was first reported by On3’s Matt Connolly and Fox Sports Radio 1400’s Teddy Heffner and confirmed by D1Baseball’s Kendall Rogers. Clemson has not yet officially announced a hire, but the school did announce it will hold an introductory press conference for its new head coach on 2 p.m. Thursday. Bakich is in line to become the 29th head coach in Clemson program history.
A 10-year head coach with the Wolverines, Bakich will replace seven-year coach Monte Lee, whom the Tigers fired after Clemson failed to reach the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive season. Under the predecessor Jack Legett, the Tigers reached the NCAA tournament in 22 consecutive seasons.
Bakich, 44, has led the Wolverines to five NCAA tournament appearances in his nine seasons, including a trip to the Louisville regional this season after a 34-28 (12-12 Big Ten) regular season. In 2019, Bakich earned national coach of the year honors for leading Michigan to a 50-22 record and a runner-up finish in the program’s first College World Series trip since 1984. Bakich posted a 328–216 career record with Michigan.
D1Baseball reported Bakich intends to bring top Michigan assistant and recruiting coordinator Nick Schnabel with him to Clemson.
Coming to Clemson is a full-circle moment of sorts. Bakich started his coaching career at Clemson as a volunteer assistant in 2002 before joining Vanderbilt’s staff from 2003-2009. Prior to coaching the Wolverines, Bakich was the head coach at Maryland from 2010-12.
Bakich and wife Jiffy have two sons, Colt and Beau, and a daughter, Tempie.
This story was originally published June 15, 2022 at 6:21 AM with the headline "Reports: Clemson to hire Erik Bakich as next head baseball coach."
