The University of Akron Athletics
Bangtson Resigns as Baseball Head Coach
May 24 | Baseball
AKRON, Ohio – Pat Bangtson, who just completed his sixth season as head baseball coach at The University of Akron, announced his resignation on Tuesday.
"I would like to thank my players for entrusting the coaching staff and me by choosing to play baseball and attend The University of Akron," Bangtson said. "I would also like to thank the University and the administration for giving me the opportunity to be the head coach of the Zips. I wish all at the University – especially the players – all the best in the future."
The 2011 Zips finished the season with a 16-37 overall record and a 7-20 mark in Mid-American Conference play. UA, which went 10-12 in its last 22 games while out-scoring its opponents 116-90, were the victim of 15, one-run games this spring, including 11 in conference play.
In all, the Zips were 119-188 during Bangtson's tenure. "We thank Pat and his staff for their leadership of our baseball program over the last six years," Akron Director of Athletics Tom Wistrcill said. "The program has enjoyed several milestones during that time. On behalf of the University and our athletics department, we wish them and their families all the best."
After taking over the helm in 2006, Bangtson, an Akron native and graduate of nearby St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, produced some of the best offensive seasons in school history.
Bangtson's Zips broke the program's hits record in back-to-back seasons in 2009 (574) and 2010 (629). The 2009 team also broke the school record for home runs with 57, and the 2010 club hit more doubles (114) than any other team in school history.
Under Bangtson's guidance, Akron produced two of the most prolific hitters in the history of the program. Kurt Davidson, who has served on Bangtson's coaching staff for the last three seasons, became UA's all-time home run leader in 2008, clubbing 41 home runs during his four-year career. Drew Turocy had one of the best offensive seasons in program history in 2010, snapping a 22-year-old school record with 95 hits and rewritting the milestone for at-bats in a season with 265.
Additionally, Bangtson produced three Major League Amateur Draft selections. Pitcher Tom Farmer and infielder Doug McNulty were both selected in 2008, while pitcher Ross Liersemann was picked in 2006.
Six members of Bangtson's teams were All-MAC honorees, including Davidson who was a two-time first-team selection (2007, 2008). Davidson also was a member of the 2007 ABCA All-Region team.
Bangtson's student-athletes earned Academic All-MAC honors on six occasions. Kevin Haas was a three-time Academic All-MAC honoree and a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District selection. The team closed out the 2010-11 academic year with a 2.84 cumulative grade-point average.
Bangtson became the 15th coach in Akron baseball history in July of 2005 after spending 15 seasons as an assistant coach at Ohio State. Prior to beginning his coaching career Bangtson was a hall of fame pitcher at Kent State and played for six seasons in the Minnesota Twins organization after being selected in the 23rd round of the 1987 MLB draft.
A national search will begin immediately to fill the head coach vacancy.
