Harley Douglas, who has steered Washburn’s baseball program for the past twelve seasons, announced his resignation this week, ending a tenure that reshaped the Ichabods’ national profile.
A Legacy Defined by Milestones
Under Douglas’s guidance the team captured its only NCAA regional appearance in 2022, a feat that underscored the program’s rapid ascent. He also oversaw 81 All‑MIAA honorees, including a player and pitcher of the year, and mentored two players who would later be selected in the MLB draft.
The announcement comes as the university taps Connor Crimmins, a familiar face within the program, to serve as interim head coach. Crimmins, who has been an assistant since 2018, brings both playing experience and a deep connection to the campus.
Before joining the coaching staff, Crimmins spent two seasons leading the Topeka Golden Giants and enjoyed a four‑year playing career at Washburn from 2012 to 2015, during which he also contributed to the football team.
Douglas’s decision to step away reflects a desire to devote more time to his family, a personal consideration that has become increasingly common among coaches at the collegiate level.
The administration praised Douglas’s impact and expressed confidence in Crimmins’s ability to maintain momentum while the search for a permanent head coach proceeds.