ULM baseball head coach Jeff Schexnaider led the Warhawks to the 2008 Sun Belt Championship and was rewarded on Friday receiving a two-year contract extension through 2012. The agreement is pending final approval by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors.
“Coach Schexnaider has done a terrific job both on the field and in the community and we wanted to reward him for those efforts,” ULM director of athletics Bobby Staub said. “We are excited about the future of Warhawk baseball under his leadership and look forward to our continued success in one of the premier baseball conferences in America.”
Schexnaider, who played for the Warhawks from 1986-87, led ULM to 34 wins this past season – the most in seven years. The Warhawks set team records for home runs, hits, RBIs, total bases and double plays turned last season and had a pair of players selected in the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.
“I am extremely excited for the support from the administration,” Schexnaider said. “We had a successful season last year and we look forward to continuing to improve the baseball program. I appreciate the confidence the ULM administration has in me to continue this process.”
Schexnaider took over the head coaching duties midway through the 2006 season after returning to his alma mater as an assistant coach in 2005. In his first full season, Schexnaider led the Warhawks to within a half game of second place in their first season in the Sun Belt.
In the two seasons he has been the head coach, the Warhawks have ranked in the top 10 nationally in six different statistical categories and in the top 30 in 13 categories.
The Warhawks return five of their eight position starters from last season, including All-American shortstop Ben Soignier. Also back for the 2009 season will be closer Derek Ward and starters Drew Graham, Keith Christensen and Jordy Poche.