A Historic Season for Kansas Baseball
Dan Fitzgerald has been crowned the 2026 Baseball America National Coach of the Year, the first Kansas baseball coach to receive this distinction.
Under his leadership the Jayhawks captured both the Big 12 regular‑season and tournament titles, hosted and won their inaugural home NCAA Tournament regional and Super Regional, and finished the year with a school‑record 45 victories.
The team also set new marks for conference wins, road victories, home runs, slugging percentage and pitching strikeouts, positioning Kansas among only five programs nationally with multiple double‑digit winning streaks.
Shortstop Tyson LeBlanc praised Fitzgerald as the greatest coach in the Big 12 and the country, while closer Boede Rahe called him "Best in the Business" on Twitter.
Athletic Director Travis Goff expressed confidence that Fitzgerald will remain at KU for several more years, noting a contract extension that runs through the 2031 season.
Fitzgerald’s player‑led philosophy, which emphasizes character and team chemistry, has sparked heightened interest in the program, filling stadiums and attracting significant financial support.
Looking Ahead
The coach, who loves Lawrence and may stay beyond his current deal, continues to shape a culture that blends on‑field success with off‑field growth, promising continued momentum for the program.