Contract of Baseball Coach Joe Kruzel Will Not Be Renewed
5/8/2003 12:00:00 PM | Baseball
May 8, 2003
Toledo, OH - University of Toledo Athletic Director Mike O'Brien announced today that Head Baseball Coach Joe Kruzel's contract will not be renewed.
"We're looking to move the baseball program in a new direction," O'Brien said. "I want to thank Joe for all of his work with the program over the years."
O'Brien added that a national search for a new head coach will begin as soon as the season concludes. Toledo's season would end on May 18, the date of its final regular-season game, unless the Rockets make the Mid-American Conference Tournament (May 21-24). Six out of 13 teams make the tournament. The Rockets (20-23, 6-14 MAC) are currently in seventh place in the seven-team West Division and 12th overall.
In 11 years at the helm of the University of Toledo baseball program, Kruzel's record is 257-325, and 131-182 in conference play. Toledo's only winning season under Kruzel came in 1999 when the Rockets went 39-20 and finished second in the MAC's West Division with a 23-9 league mark.
Prior to assuming the head coaching reins, Kruzel served as an assistant coach for the Rockets for four seasons (1988-92) under longtime UT mentor Stan Sanders. Kruzel was the starting second baseman for the Rockets for four seasons (1985-1988) and graduated from UT in 1989. In his senior campaign, Kruzel hit .311 with 28 RBI. A 1984 graduate of Central Catholic High School in Toledo, Kruzel played second base during his prep career and garnered all-district honors his senior year.
Coach Kruzel's record at Toledo
Overall Conference
Year School Won Lost Pct. Won Lost Pct. MAC Finish
1993 Toledo 24 31 .436 13 17 .433 T-6th
1994 Toledo 23 31 .426 12 16 .429 7th
1995 Toledo 21 32 .396 9 21 .300 8th
1996 Toledo 27 27 .500 18 14 .563 T-3rd
1997 Toledo 18 33 .353 9 20 .310 8th
1998 Toledo 20 32 .385 13 17 .433 5th (West)
1999 Toledo 39 20 .661 23 9 .719 2nd (West)
2000 Toledo 21 33 .389 9 19 .321 T-5th (West)
2001 Toledo 26 29 .473 10 17 .370 T-5th (West)
2002 Toledo 18 34 .346 9 18 .333 6th (West)
2003 Toledo 20 23 .465 6 14 .300
* Nine games remain on 2003 schedule
11 seasons 257 325 .442 131 182 .419
