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Illini sign Hartleb to 5-year extension (link) and ranking news (link)

snowling

Hall of Famer
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Fighting Illini Director of Athletics Mike Thomas has announced that Head Baseball Coach Dan Hartleb has agreed to a five-year contract extension, keeping him at Illinois through the 2020 season. The contract is pending University of Illinois Board of Trustees approval.

"I'm excited about where Dan and his staff have our baseball program, which is on top of the Big Ten and among the nation's best," Thomas said. "Dan is committed to developing our student-athletes into fine young men, on and off the field, and sets a great example with his tireless work in the community. We all look forward to the future of Fighting Illini Baseball under Dan's leadership."

Hartleb completed his 10th season as head coach at Illinois and 25th season on the Illini coaching staff in 2015. Hartleb ranks among the winningest coaches in school history, as he is currently third with 326 career victories. He has won a pair of Big Ten titles (2011, 2015) and owns a conference record of 151-108.

"I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to continue to build our baseball program at the University of Illinois," Hartleb said. "Both the University of Illinois and Champaign-Urbana community are very important parts of our family's lives. I know Gina, Zak and Haley are also very excited to remain a part of the Fighting Illini family and this outstanding and supportive community. Mike Thomas has made a tremendous commitment to our family as well as our program to allow us to continue to push forward in building a consistent championship contending program."

Hartleb took Illinois to its first-ever Super Regional in 2015 and has taken UI to an NCAA Regional in three of the past five years (2011, 2013, 2015). He has led the Illini to the Big Ten Tournament in eight of his 10 seasons at the helm, giving the Orange and Blue eight postseason appearances in the last 11 seasons and 15 in the last 20 years.

"The support that Mike Thomas and Mike Waddell have shown our program has been impressive," Hartleb said. "Mike Thomas has done an outstanding job allowing us to elevate our program by being competitive with salaries and budget needs. I can't thank enough everyone who plays a role in the success of our program. I am fortunate to have this opportunity because of the great players, coaches and support staff within our athletic department."

It was a record-setting 2015 season for Illini baseball under Hartleb, who was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year, ABCA Mideast Region Coach of the Year and a National Coach of the Year finalist. The team won 50 games, breaking the previous school record of 49 wins set in 1982.

Along the way the Illini reeled off a Big Ten-record 27-game winning streak from March 30-May 20, the longest in the nation in 2015. Illinois won its first outright conference title in 10 years, claiming the crown with a 21-1 record. The UI's .955 winning percentage was the best by a league champion since 1966.

The Illini earned the No. 6 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament; becoming just the second Big Ten team to earn a national seed. Illinois went on to win its first-ever NCAA Regional, advancing to the Super Regional for the first time in school history. The Orange and Blue hosted both the Regional and Super Regional during a season in which the Illini won a school-record 25 games at Illinois Field.

Illinois swept the Big Ten individual awards for the first time in school history with first baseman David Kerian being named Player of the Year, left hander Tyler Jay selected as Pitcher of the Year and Dan Hartleb garnering Coach of the Year. Jay went on to earn first-team All-America honors while Kerian and pitcher Kevin Duchene were chosen as second-team All-Americans. The 2015 Illini pitching staff set a pair of school records with a 2.55 ERA and 449 strikeouts.

Immediately following the season a school-record nine players were selected in the MLB Draft, highlighted by Jay's selection at No. 6 overall by the Minnesota Twins to become the highest draft pick in Illini history.

During his time with the Illini, Hartleb has been instrumental in recruiting and developing 64 players who have signed minor league contracts, including six in 2015, one in 2014, three in 2013, two in 2012, four in 2011, three in 2009, two in 2008, four in 2007 and seven in 2005. Ten former Illini have reached the major leagues, with Kyle Hudson (Baltimore Orioles), Tanner Roark (Washington Nationals) and Chris Robinson (San Diego Padres) adding their names to that list most recently.

In addition, 29 former players have earned All-America honors on 64 different teams and 10 Illini freshmen have been named to Freshmen All-America teams. Four of Hartleb's pitchers have been named Big Ten Pitcher of the Year and Illinois has produced six Big Ten Players of the Year, along with 38 first-team All-Big Ten selections.

The Illini also have achieved a great deal of success in the classroom in Hartleb's 10 years as head coach, earning six NCAA Public Recognition Awards, an honor bestowed on the highest-achieving schools in the NCAA's Academic Progress Rate (APR). Illinois also has ranked in the 90th percentile of all baseball programs in eight of Hartleb's 10 seasons.

Go Hoosiers!

http://fightingillini.com/news/2015/7/15/HartlebContract.aspx
 
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