WARRENSBURG, Mo. – University of Central Missouri Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Matt Howdeshell announced Thursday, July 18, that Mules Baseball Head Coach Kyle Crookes has signed a five-year contract extension through the 2029 season.

"Coach Crookes and his staff have developed and maintained a culture that has resulted in outstanding performances, athletically and academically," Howdeshell said. "His teams have consistently been amongst the best in the nation. Even more impressive, is that they have done it with young men who represent all that is great about the University of Central Missouri. We are fortunate to have Kyle leading our program for many years to come."

The new contract is highly competitive in the MIAA and NCAA Division II and provides incentives for MIAA championships, postseason appearances and achievements, coach of the year awards, and academic achievement.

"My family and I are excited to be able to continue to call Warrensburg and Central Missouri home," Crookes said. "The university, from President Roger Best and First Lady Robin Best to Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Matt Howdeshell and the rest of the athletic department, continues to create and nourish a culture of elite growth and development in our student-athletes on and off the field. Supporting our efforts to grow our players into the best versions of themselves while continuing to grow in our community has been an honor and one that we are excited to continue to be a part of."

Crookes, who will enter his 11th season as head coach of the Mules in 2025, has compiled an impressive 398-133 (.750) record as the skipper at Central Missouri. He is the second-winningest coach in program history and has led UCM to 11 MIAA Championships and four NCAA Division II Regional Titles and College World Series appearances.

Last season, in 2024, he helped lead the Mules to a MIAA Regular Season and NCAA-II Central Regional Championship as UCM compiled an overall record of 52-10 and a conference mark of 29-4. The Mules advanced to the College World Series for the 20th time in program history. UCM hit a single-season record 126 homers and 38 triples and stole a season-record 197 bases. The 38 triples, 126 home runs and 197 stolen bases are also MIAA records. In addition, Central Missouri compiled program and MIAA single-season records for RBIs (605), runs (662) and total bases (1,344).

Outfielder Brennen van Breusegen was named the MIAA Player of the Year and was a consensus First Team All-American while fellow outfielder Carter Young and pitcher Conner Wolf also earned All-America accolades from various Division II baseball organizations. In addition, Wolf was the MIAA and D2CCA Central Region Pitcher of the Year.

Van Breusegen, Young and designated hitter Vance Tobol all earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-American honors for their successes both on the field and in the classroom.

During his 10 seasons at the helm, 102 players have earned All-MIAA honors, including 33 First Team nods, Players of the Year in Erik Webb in 2019, Dusty Stroup in 2021 and Brennen van Breusegen in 2022 and 2024, Pitcher of the Year Conner Wolf in 2024, and Co-Freshman of the Year Jack Scott in 2024. Twenty-nine players have earned All-Region honors, 13 All-American and five players have been selected in the MLB Draft.

Crookes has been named the MIAA Coach of the Year four times, Central Region Coach of the Year six times and was the 2022 ABCA Division II National Coach of the Year.