Virginia Tech has named Josh Reynolds as its new director of pitching performance and baseball analytics, a move that signals the program’s intent to sharpen its mound staff under head coach John Szefc.
A strategic addition for the Hokies
Reynolds arrives after a decade of progressive leadership at several Division I programs, including a stint as assistant coach and director of baseball operations at Tennessee, where he helped the Volunteers capture 84 wins and post a .672 winning percentage while ranking among the nation’s top ten pitching staffs.
At Northwestern, he trimmed the team’s earned run average by more than a run and boosted strikeouts by 98, a transformation that caught the attention of national analysts.
He also served as associate head coach and interim head coach at Northwestern from 2016 to 2022, guiding the Wildcats to a fifth‑place finish in the Big 12 and overseeing a staff that posted a sub‑3.50 ERA in his final season.
Prior to his coaching career, Reynolds was a right‑handed pitcher at Central Missouri, where he set a school record with 32 career victories and earned a third‑round selection by the New York Mets in the 2000 MLB Draft.
Reflecting on the hire, Szefc said Reynolds’ blend of analytical rigor and hands‑on coaching will complement the Hokies’ existing philosophy, adding that the new hire and his family will bring a positive energy to Blacksburg.
The appointment comes at a time when Virginia Tech is looking to rebuild its pitching rotation after a challenging recent season, and the administration believes Reynolds’ championship pedigree — including contributions to Kansas State’s 36‑win and 45‑win campaigns — will provide the missing pieces.
Fans can expect a data‑driven approach to player development, with Reynolds expected to integrate advanced analytics into everyday practice while maintaining the program’s tradition of tough, competitive baseball.