UCM Mules head baseball coach Kyle Crookes during an elimination round baseball game of the NCAA-II College World Series against the East Stroudsburg University (ESU) Warriors at the USA Baseball Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina on June 3, 2025.
Andrew Mather | University Photographer

Baseball

Crookes Earns Sixth ABCA / ATEC Central Region Coach of the Year Honor

GREENSBORO, N.C. – University of Central Missouri Mules baseball head coach Kyle Crookes has been named the 2025 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) / ATEC Central Region Coach of the Year, announced on Tuesday, June 24.
 
Crookes led the Mules to a runner-up finish at the 2025 NCAA-II Baseball Championships this past season after capturing their second consecutive regional title and 21st in program history. With a record of 48-14 overall, including 29-7 in MIAA play, the Mules won their 31st conference regular-season title while Crookes became the winningest coach in program history, ending the season with 446 victories.
 
This is Crookes's sixth ABCA / ATEC Central Region Coach of the Year honor in his 11th season in Warrensburg and previously won the award in 2024, 2022, 2021, 2019, and 2016. The Mules had four individuals earn All-American honors while 14 players were All-MIAA selections.
 
The ABCA/ATEC Regional and National Coaches of the Year are selected by members of the ABCA All-America & Coach of the Year committees in all nine divisions: NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA Divisions I, II and III, Pacific Association Division and high school.

The 2025 ABCA/ATEC National Coaches of the Year in all divisions will be announced on Wednesday, June 25.

Founded in 1945, the American Baseball Coaches Association is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches at the amateur level. Its over 15,000 members represent all 50 states and 41 countries. Since its initial meeting of 27 college baseball coaches in June 1945, Association membership has broadened to include nine divisions: NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA, Pacific Association Division, High School, Youth and Travel.

About ATEC Sports
ATEC Sports manufactures industry-leading training equipment and machines for elite baseball and softball programs. From training machines to tees, nets and screens, ATEC sets the standard when it comes to equipment today and is the Official Training Equipment of Major League Baseball. You can learn more about all these products – including the revolutionary M3X training machine – at http://atecsports.com.
 
Print Friendly Version