K-State has replaced outgoing hitting coach Mike Clement with Andy Sawyers, who will have the title of Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator.
Sawyers spent two seasons as an assistant on Hill’s staff in 2009 and 2010 when K-State made their first two NCAA Regional appearances in school history. The Wildcats led the Big 12 in batting average and stolen bases in each of those seasons. He has spent the past four seasons as associate head coach at Texas A&M.
“Kansas State is a place that has very special memories for me, including being a part of the school’s first ever trip to the NCAA postseason in 2009,” said Sawyers in a press release. “I’m very close to Coach Hill, and to get a chance to work with him once again is special. Manhattan is a place where my son was born, and although I am a California native, it is as close to home as I am ever going to have in the coaching profession. My wife and I are very excited to be coming home.”
Sawyers has been a part of 12 NCAA Regionals, four NCAA Super Regionals and two College World Series’ during his coaching career.
“When Mike Clement accepted the assistant coaching position at Ole Miss, there was one name that immediately came to mind to fill our position: Andy Sawyers,” said K-State head coach Brad Hill in a press release. He was directly involved in our four NCAA postseason appearances, from his offensive leadership during his coaching tenure to the recruitment of key players who led us to a Big 12 Conference championship three years after his departure to Texas A&M.”
K-State will look to bounce back from a 25-30 season in 2014 that saw K-State miss the Big 12 tournament for the first time since 2006.
