From Washington University Athletics
Washington University in St. Louis Director of Athletics Josh Whitman announced Thursday that baseball coach Steve Duncan will not return as head coach of the Bears.
"We would like to thank Steve Duncan for his five years of service to Washington University. We have an aggressive vision for the future of WashU Baseball, including early plans for sweeping facility improvements, enhancements to our coaching staff, and a strengthened commitment to our students' personal and athletic development," said Whitman. "Ultimately, our goal is to compete on the national stage in baseball as we do in so many other sports at Washington University. The timing is right for new leadership to help us usher in this new and exciting era in the baseball program's proud history."
Duncan compiled a 144-78 overall record in five seasons at WashU. He leaves as the second winningest coach in school history with a 64.9 winning percentage and is fourth all-time in wins. Duncan led the Bears to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances, and a share of two University Athletic Association (UAA) titles.
This spring Duncan guided the Bears to a 34-16 overall record, tied for the most wins in school history. The 30-win season was the fifth in school history, and first since 2007. Duncan and his staff were named the UAA Coaching Staff of the Year after leading the Bears to the 2015 UAA Co-Championship. The Bears also advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the ninth time in school history, and tied or broke 11 single-season school records in 2015.
Duncan mentored nine student-athletes to 17 ABCA/Rawlings and D3baseball.com All-Region honors, including two-time All-America selection Brandon Rogalski (2011-12) and 2015 D3baseball.com All-America First-Team selection Chris Lowery.
Duncan's teams also excelled in the classroom, with seven individuals earning 10 Academic All-District honors, including Academic All-Americans in Rogalski (2012) and Dom Quaranta (2013).
A national search will begin immediately, with a new coach to be hired before the beginning of the 2015-16 school year.