LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Bellarmine University Director of Athletics Scott Wiegandt announced today that he has accepted the resignation of Head Baseball Coach Deron Spink. Bellarmine's winningest and longest-serving baseball coach, Spink said he resigned due to family interests and to pursue other professional opportunities.
Wiegandt said the position will be posted officially by the university's human resources department in the very near future and that a national search will be begin immediately.
Spink came to Bellarmine in the fall of 2004 and completed seven years as head coach of the Knights. During that span, he compiled a record of 211-194, including three 30-win seasons. His 211 career victories are 60 more than any other Bellarmine baseball coach.
Bellarmine's most successful season under Spink came in 2008, when Bellarmine went 36-22 and tied a school record for most wins in a season. The 2008 Knights also earned an NCAA tournament berth, the first in 19 years for the Bellarmine program. The team also picked up Bellarmine's first NCAA win since 1980.
Spink came to Bellarmine after spending six years as an assistant coach at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. During his tenure there, he coached future Phillie great Ryan Howard in a summer league. The two have remained in contact, and in 2009, Howard asked Spink to pitch to him in the Home Run Derby at the Major League All-Star Weekend, which was held in St. Louis.
Spink's Bellarmine Career:
2005 29-31
2006 24-27
2007 29-30
2008 36-22
2009 33-24
2010 34-24
2011 26-26
Total 211-194