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June 28, 2006
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – – University of Virginia head baseball coach Brian O’Connor will remain as the school’s head coach.
O’Connor, who just completed his third season at the helm of the Cavalier program – the most successful season in the history of the program, indicated to athletic officials his plan is to continue to build one of the top programs in the country.
“I’m proud to be the head coach at the University of Virginia, and I plan to be the Cavalier coach for many years to come,” O’Connor said. “I came to the University of Virginia to build one of the best baseball programs in the country. When I took the job here three years ago, that was my goal and that will continue to be my focus.”
Virginia finished the 2006 season, 47-15 and 21-9 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Cavaliers finished third in the ACC and earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament as UVa advanced to its school record third consecutive NCAA Regional. Virginia earned its highest ever ranking when the Cavaliers were ranked as high as No. 5 in college baseball polls. Four Cavaliers earned All-ACC honors including 2006 ACC Player of the Year, Sean Doolittle, who also is a finalist for the Brooks Wallace Award, given to the nation’s top player. Four Cavalier freshmen earned Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-American honors.
“Since our coaching staff has been here at Virginia, we’ve been able to attract some of the top recruiting classes and student-athletes in the country. Our university offers a special opportunity for young men to come play baseball at the highest level while earning one of the top degrees in the country.”
“Our donors and fans are very supportive of the direction that our baseball program is going. Cavalier fans have continued to come out at record-setting numbers and support our ball club. Their support has meant a lot to the success of our program, and I’m excited to continue to watch that grow in the coming years.”
“I feel very good about the commitment that Craig Littlepage, and the rest of our administration has made in the last three years and continues to make in helping our program reach our goal. Their commitment will continue to help develop our program into one of the best in the nation.”
“Brian O’Connor and his staff have built an incredible baseball program,” Executive Associate Athletics Director Jon Oliver said. “We are extremely proud of the success that he and his staff have brought in developing one of the top programs in the country and producing some of the best student-athletes at the University of Virginia. We look forward to him staying at Virginia for a long time and helping the department achieve its long-term goals.”
In the last three years, O’Connor and his staff have guided the Cavaliers to a 132-52 overall mark including a school record 47 wins in 2006. Virginia has hosted a NCAA Regional, two of the last three years. O’Connor was named the 2004 ACC Coach of the Year and was tabbed a 2006 College Baseball Foundation Coach of the Year. The UVa program has produced the 2004 and 2006 ACC Players of the Year as well as 11 All-ACC selections, three All-Americans and seven freshmen All-Americans.