Finwood Resigns as Head Baseball Coach

Although the baseball season ended more than a month ago, the team took a major “hit.” On Wednesday, Chris Finwood announced his resignation as head baseball coach at WKU and stated he would be accepting a head-coaching job at Old Dominion. The news came as a shock and quickly spread around campus this morning. By mid-morning, many people were in disbelief by the news. Athletic Director Ross Bjork offered Finwood a contract extension, but Finwood's decision ultimately came down to what was best for his family. A long time coach in the State of Virginia, Finwood jumped on the opportunity to return to Virginia. “Ross and I had many conversations both during this past season and recently… He offered a very fair extension to me and has a vision for continuing to improve the baseball program, and my leaving is in no way a reflection on anything at WKU. This is just a unique opportunity for our family that we cannot turn down. I am very proud of all that we accomplished in the last six years. We did some special things…”

Finwood has been one of the most successful coaches at WKU in the last few years. Since becoming the head coach for the WKU baseball team, the Tops reached new heights on the hill. In 2008, Finwood led the WKU to a 33-27 record, its first winning season since 2004, and even took the Hilltopper to the NCCA tournament. In 2009 he improved upon his success leading his team to the school's first 40-win season in 21 seasons. The Hilltoppers finished an impressive 42-20 and set a new school record for the highest home winning percentage in school history with a record of 27-3. In 2010, Finwood helped schedule one of the toughest seasons in WKU history. Of the 56 games his team played, 24 games came against teams that appeared in the 2009 NCAA Tournament.

However, not only has Finwood revitalized the program, he has increased the excitement of baseball in the Bowling Green area. 6,183 fans, the largest crowd to ever watch a college baseball game in Kentucky, came out to watch WKU defeat UK 24-8 in 2010. Coach Finwood also coached some of the best players to ever come through the program. He elevated his players to the next level and watched 60 of his players sign professional baseball contracts. In just six years, Finwood successfully built WKU into one of the best baseball teams in the Sunbelt Conference and his success will be greatly missed.

The attention now turns to Ross Bjork. This will be the first time that Bjork has had to go out and hire a new head coach. The youngest athletic director of the 120 FBS schools, Bjork has shown that he is willing to go out a spend money on a new baseball coach. The athletics program already committed a significant increase in salary for assistant coaches for the baseball program and will likely do the same for the head coach position as well. There are no clear favorites for the job, but in a statement released Tuesday, Bjork stated that, “Our program will attract a number of quality candidates that can lead WKU baseball to the next level… the process of identifying and hiring the best person to serve as our next head baseball coach will begin immediately.” Although untested, I have confidence that Bjork will hire a qualified candidate for the job and am hopeful that the new coach continues to build the program to even newer heights.

Finwood Coaching Resume:

Virginia Military Institute, Assistant Coach, 1989-90; 1991


Radford, Assistant Coach, Fall 1990


Virginia Military Institute, Head Coach, 1992-94


Virginia Commonwealth, Assistant Coach, 1995-98


Virginia Commonwealth, Associate Head Coach, 1999-2000


Auburn, Assistant Coach, 2001-05

WKU Head Coach 2006-2011

Fant Shows Out at KY-IN All-Star Game

The Kentucky- Indiana All-Star game was supposed to be a beat down with Indiana being the aggressor, but WKU signee George Fant (#3) had other plans. Indiana jumped out to an early lead and took the wind out of Kentucky’s sails. That is, until Fant put back a missed shot with a monstrous dunk and brought the entire gym to its feet. Kentucky went on a run and remained in the lead most of the game. Fant got into foul trouble early in the second half. It was easy to see the team wasn’t the same when Fant was on the bench. Kentucky gave up the lead, and with the game tied UK signee Marquis Teague hit a buzzer beater to win it for Indiana. The big story in the game however, was Fant’s performance. Everyone knew “Mr. Basketball” Anthony Hickey would lead the Kentucky team; but not many people (besides this guy) would have guessed Fant would be the one to keep Kentucky in the game. Fant finished with 18 points and 5 rebounds in 20 minutes of action. His energy was incredible on the court and he truly looked like a team player. Offensively he is a player who can hit the mid-range jumper, and though he has a good stroke, needs a little bit more work from the arc. He battles for rebounds and loose balls with no regard for his body. He reminds me of Steffphon Pettigrew in a lot of ways. He has more fire and intensity than Pettigrew and my bet is that he’ll be a fan favorite for years to come on the hill.

I was able to catch up with Fant after the game and ask him a few questions:

Q: What does it mean for you to represent WKU in an all-star game like this with so many great players?

A: I know Coach Mac and and everybody is watching. I know they’re proud of me to be able to play in this game and show what I can do. I’m a team guy and whatever team I’m on, I want to do whatever it takes to win.

Q: What do you have to say about the recruiting class that's coming in this year?

A: We’re good. We have eight guys that can all play at a high level and even our walk-on (Spence Sheldon) is a good shooter and all around player. I’m just ready to get with all the guys and start building our chemistry. It starts in the weight room. We’re all excited to get together finally and get going.

WESTERN KENTUCKY DAWG!



Four Hilltoppers Taken in the First 10 Rounds of the MLB Draft



    The WKU Baseball program has made great strides over the past few years. These past two days could have been the two greatest strides for the program in its history. Kes Carter was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays with the 56th overall pick in the MLB Amateur Draft. Carter was picked on the first day of the draft in the second round while 3 more Hilltoppers were selected on the second day. Phil Wetherell was selected in the 8th round by the Yankees, Matt Rice was selected in 9th round by the Tampa Bay Rays, and Logan Robbins was taken by the Atlanta Braves in the 10th round. That makes 4 Hilltoppers selected within the first 10 rounds. An astonishing accomplishment for a program that is considered a "mid-major".

    Carter and Robbins now face the decision of whether to leave school or return for their senior season. I'd say that it's a safe bet that Carter will take this tremendous oppurtunity and run with it. Robbins however has a tougher decision to make. Both Carter and Robbins not only will receive tremendous financial compensation but also were selected by two very great organizations. As much as I'd love to see them in a WKU uniform next year, the odds are, they will both take the oppurtunity.
   
    The most interesting aspect of the draft was that Kes Carter and Matt Rice were both selected by the Tampa Bay Rays. Single-A is the level that both Carter and Rice will ultimately begin at after their short season in the rookie league. The Rays Single-A affiliate happens to reside in Bowling Green, KY. That's right...the Hot Rods. It would be so awesome for both of theses guys to come right back to Bowling Green and start their Pro Careers in front of the fans that watched them grow as college players. I know that if one or both of these guys end up on the Hot Rods next season, I'll be at alot of games.
  
    The third day of the draft could have a few more Hilltoppers hearing their names called. Thirdbasemen Casey Dykes and Pitcher Rye Davis are two prospects. Davis just finished his season and hopes to get a call to continue his baseball career. Dykes is a junior and one has to think that at this point, regardless of where he gets drafted, he'll return to the hill next year.


WESTERN KENTUCKY DAWG!