Rooney Promoted to Associate Head Coach
12/6/2019 11:57:00 AM | Baseball
Pitching staff led The American Athletic Conference in ERA (3.82), opponent batting average (.238) in 2019
HOUSTON -- Terry Rooney has been promoted to associate head coach, University of Houston Baseball Head Coach Todd Whitting announced Friday afternoon.
"I am very excited to announce Coach Rooney has been promoted to the position of Associate Head Coach at UH," Whitting said. "In his two previous seasons, Coach Rooney has proven to be a relentless, tireless and knowledgeable member of our coaching staff. Coach Rooney has consistently coached our pitching staff to be one of the best in The American Athletic Conference, and I look forward to his continued leadership in that role.
"He is also one of the top recruiters throughout college baseball. His drive and will to bring the best student-athletes from around the country to Houston will be evident for years to come. Coach Rooney and his family are an integral part of our success, and this promotion is well deserved."
Hired on June 26, 2017, Rooney serves as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator for the Cougars.
His impact was felt right away, as Houston won The American regular-season title and made a berth in the NCAA Chapel Hill Regional in 2018.
Under his direction, junior Aaron Fletcher, who was the team's closer the previous season, recorded a league-best 2.19 ERA and was 7-3 en route to being named The American Pitcher of the Year. Junior Trey Cumbie was tabbed to The American Second Team after ranking third in the league with 110 strikeouts.
The Houston pitching staff compiled a 3.84 ERA, the third-best in the league, while striking out 492 batters and holding opposing hitters to a .240 average. The Cougars also led The American with five shutouts.
Houston pitchers Cumbie (13th), Fletcher (14th) and senior Joey Pulido (32nd) were all selected in the 2018 MLB Draft.
In 2019, the staff's numbers got even better, leading The American in both ERA (3.82) and opponent batting average (.238).
At the conclusion of the regular, junior Devon Roedahl was named The American Newcomer Pitcher of the Year, as three pitchers garnered postseason honors. Sophomore Clay Aguilar was named to The American First Team, while Roedahl and junior Fred Villarreal were tabbed to the Second Team.
For a second straight year, three pitchers were taken in the MLB Draft. Junior Sean Bretz, who later elected to return for his senior season, was a 15th-Round selection by the Kansas City Royals. Villarreal was tabbed by the Seattle Mariners in the 25th Round, while Roedahl was grabbed by Boston in the 27th Round.
In addition, senior Ryan Randel signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Angels on June 13.
"The last two years have been very special for myself and family to be here at the University of Houston," Rooney said. "I extremely appreciate all that Todd Whitting has done and the opportunity to continue coaching alongside him everyday. We are continuing to work for the ultimate goal, and that is to get UH back to Omaha."
Rooney has an extensive background in college baseball, having made several stops at established programs throughout the country.
The associate head coach at Alabama in 2017, Rooney served as the head coach at UCF for eight seasons (2008-16). Prior to Orlando, Rooney was on staffs at LSU (2007-08), Notre Dame (2004-06), Stetson (2002-03), Old Dominion (2000-01), James Madison (1998-99) and George Washington (1997). Rooney served as the associate head coach at LSU in 2008. In all of those stops, he was involved in some capacity with the pitching staff and/or recruiting.
Across his career, Rooney has helped six different schools reach the NCAA postseason and been a part of eight championships. He has had 68 pitchers sign professional contracts, 18 Top-10 Round selections and 12 pitchers debut in the big leagues.
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