Texas-Arlington coach Thomas agrees to 3-year extension
07/30/2008
University of Texas-Arlington baseball coach Darin Thomas will lead his team for at least another three years.
Thomas, who became head coach in November after the resignation of his predecessor, has agreed to extend his contract through 2010-11.
"He is deserving of continuation," Athletics director Pete Carlon said. "Athletes admire him a lot."
Thomas joined the Mavericks in 2001 as associate head coach to Jeff Curtis. After Curtis resigned Thomas became the teams sixth head coach. The contract extension still needs final approval from the UT System Board of Regents.
In his first season as head coach, Thomas led the team to several successes, including wins against nationally ranked opponents Oklahoma State, Texas and Texas A&M.
Carlon endorsed his recommendation to President James Spaniolo.
Thomas said he is grateful for the trust.
"I appreciate the confidence of the administration," Thomas said. "I also appreciate that they know we‘ll do a good job."
Thomas is already planning the coming season. He said only four new recruits will join the team.
"This year we have 30 returnees," he said. "With only four newcomers, it is basically the same team."
However, 2009 will be a big recruiting season in high schools and junior colleges, he said.
"Hopefully, we will take care of most of these needs in November for the early sign-in period," he said. "Then we will finish it in April."
Under his leadership, the team captured 12 out of 14 games in one stretch and doubled its total score.
Thomas said that this is what he is most proud of.
"Last season, the team was picked last and they finished sixth out of 12," he said. "Being picked last motivated them."
Having the same team and the success from the past season will boost team morale.
"We have a good chance next season," said kinesiology sophomore and outfielder Michael Choice. "We know each other, we know the coach, so it will help us."
To himself, however, Thomas biggest accomplishment was not performed on the field, but in the classroom.
"My biggest pride is that the guys GPAs did not change very much between the fall, when there is no game, and the spring, when they play games," Thomas said.
Thomas said he placed great emphasis on the teams academics.
"They need to be students first. It was a goal we set out, to reach a 3.0 GPA," he said. "It is the first time since I came in 2001 they have done that."
Choice said that, thanks to Thomas, the team would perform well next season.
"He pushes all of us all year to do better, even though there are hard times," he said.
"We just need to get started!" Thomas said.
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