Latest news with #Longhorns'
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Who is Mike White? Meet Texas softball coach who hails from New Zealand
Who is Mike White? Meet Texas softball coach who hails from New Zealand Show Caption Hide Caption Texas Tech's NiJaree Canady and Tennessee's Karlyn Pickens lead WCWS players to watch The Oklahoman's Jenni Carlson highlights several Women's College World Series key players to watch. The 2025 Women's College World Series has arrived, and the pool of coaches in the eight-team bracket in Oklahoma City consists of some of the top coaches in college softball. One of those is Texas Longhorns coach Mike White. In seven seasons at Texas, White – known for his distinct accent – has transformed the Longhorns' into one of the nation's top college softball programs. His time in Austin has included a seven-year run competing neck-and-neck with Oklahoma in the Big 12 and SEC. REQUIRD READING: How does WCWS work? Explaining double-elimination format for NCAA softball tournament After making the WCWS last season as a No. 1 overall seed in the bracket, White has taken Texas – led by Reese Atwood and Teagan Kavan – to the WCWS in back-to-back seasons for just the second time in program history. Texas begins its quest to make its second consecutive WCWS championship series on Thursday, May 29 at noon ET against No. 3 Florida at Devon Park in Oklahoma City. Here's what to know about White ahead of the WCWS: Who is Mike White? Mike White is in his seventh season as Texas softball's coach, a position that he has held since June 25, 2018, when the Longhorns poached him from Oregon. In his first season in Austin, White led the Longhorns to a 13-win improvement over the previous season and an appearance in the super regional round of the NCAA softball tournament. Since then, the Longhorns have become one of the top softball programs in the country, highlighted by their 198-58-2 combined record in the last four seasons. In that time span, Texas has now made the WCWS three times in the last four years, a run that has included two appearances in the WCWS championship series, falling to Oklahoma in both. White led Texas to the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA softball tournament last season for the first time in program history. The Longhorns' appearance in the Austin Super Regional vs. Clemson this season kept alive White's consecutive streak of coaching a team to the super regionals at 15 consecutive seasons as a head coach (there was no tournament in 2020 due to COVID). In total, White has led Texas to five appearances in the super regional round of the NCAA softball tournament and three trips to the WCWS. He also led Texas to the 2024 Big 12 regular season title. REQUIRED READING: Does college softball have a run rule? How NCAA Tournament, WCWS games can end early He got his start in coaching as an assistant coach at Oregon, where he was from 2003-04. Then in 2010, he took over as the Ducks' head coach, turning Oregon into a nationally known and respected program. During his nine-year stint in Eugene and the Pac-12, White led the Ducks to a 435-11-1 overall record, five Pac-12 tournament titles and five appearances in the WCWS. When Oregon advanced to the WCWS in 2012 under White, it was the program's first trip to Oklahoma City since 1989. The Ducks' best season under White came in 2018, when they earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA softball tournament with a 53-10 overall record. Oregon finished in the top 10 of several categories that season, including third in winning percentage (.841) and fifth in team ERA (1.38). Mike White softball coaching history, record In his 16 seasons as a head coach, White has posted a 749-103-3 combined overall record at Oregon and Texas. Entering Thursday's start of the Women's College World Series, White has led the Longhorns to a 311-92-2 overall record. The Longhorns' 51 wins this year marks the second consecutive season they've reached at least 50 wins under White. Here's a breakdown of White's career as a college softball coach at Oregon and Texas: Oregon (2010-2018): 435-11-1 435-11-1 Texas (2019-present): 311-92-2 Here's a year-by-year breakdown of how Texas has fared under White: 2019: 46-17 46-17 2020: 24-3 24-3 2021: 43-14 43-14 2022: 47-22-1 47-22-1 2023: 45-15-1 45-15-1 2024: 55-10 55-10 2025: 51-11 Where is Texas softball coach Mike White from? White hails from Wellington, New Zealand, and became a U.S. Citizen in 1994. In 2000, he helped guide Team USA's national fastpitch softball team to a bronze medal at the World Championships. He also helped lead Team USA to several other medals in international play as a pitcher, including three silver medals at the Pan American Games in 1995, 1999 and 2003. White posted a 3-2 record with a 0.68 ERA in the 1995 Pan American Games. White threw a perfect game in the championship game of the 1996 ISF World Championships against Canada as a member of New Zealand's team. He retired from playing in 2007, three years before he landed his first head coaching job at Oregon.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jim Schlossnagle addresses Texas' response to NCAA baseball tournament seeding
The road to Omaha begins at UFCU Disch-Falk Field for Texas baseball, as the Longhorns were given the No. 2 national seed in the NCAA baseball tournament on Monday. It's a feat that the Longhorns haven't reached since 2022 and the right to host is only handed out to the top 16 national seeds in the bracket. Though by the Longhorns' response on the ESPN2 broadcast of the bracket reveal show, one might not have known that. Shortly after his team learned the path it would take to get to the College World Series, Longhorns coach Jim Schlossnagle told reporters in Austin that he had mixed emotions about that response by his team. "I don't know how I feel about that, because I never want us to take that for granted," Schlossnagle said Monday according to the Austin American-Statesman's David Eckert. "I understand it's Texas, but as long as I'm coaching here, I never want us to assume, and I don't want us to feel like we're entitled to something." REQUIRED READING: Texas baseball to host NCAA Regional at UFCU Disch-Falk Field: Schedule, tickets To Texas' slight defense, when the Longhorns were shown on the screen during the bracket reveal show, they perhaps didn't know they were live, or it was pulled by ESPN at a different part of the show to air at the time they heard their name called. The most recent example of this came during the NFL draft with the Cleveland Browns' war room not showing any excitement after the selection of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Browns coach Kevin Stefanski deflecting by saying the clips shown during the draft are "not timed up to exactly the right time." However, as the saying goes, actions speak louder than words and several members of the Longhorns' roster were caught yawning in the front row. Here's a look at the Longhorns' reaction at their watch party, which was posted by Texas' official X account (formerly Twitter) on Monday: regional ready 🤘#HookEm | @TexasLonghorns — Texas Baseball (@TexasBaseball) May 26, 2025 REQUIRED READING: NCAA baseball bracket 2025: Full regional schedule, matchups, dates for CWS field Monday's bracket reveal marked the third time in program history that Texas was given the No. 2 overall seed in the NCAA baseball tournament, with the others coming in 2010 and 2021. The Longhorns are 155-59-1 in the regional round of the NCAA Tournament, which includes an 87-22 record when those games are in Austin. Texas went 44-12 in its first season under Schlossnagle, who came over from SEC foe Texas A&M during the offseason. The Longhorns won the SEC regular season conference title by two games over Arkansas, while finishing 22-8 overall in SEC play. The Longhorns are slated to start NCAA baseball tournament play on Friday, May 30, at 2 p.m. ET against Houston Christian at UFCU Disch-Falk Field in Austin. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas' reaction to NCAA baseball seeding has coach questioning
USA Today
19-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Longhorns closer named Golden Spikes Award Semifinalist
Longhorns closer named Golden Spikes Award Semifinalist Dylan Volantis rewarded for his stellar play Following an impressive regular season, Dylan Volantis is earning national recognition for his play. The Longhorns star has been named a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award. During his first year as the closer, the Longhorns freshman was a human highlight reel while etching his name into the record books. In 43.1 innings, Volantis posted a 1.66 ERA and struck out 64 batters. He also showed excellent control by only walking 11 batters and allowing three home runs. As he frustrated opponents on a nightly basis, the Westlake High School product was one of the Longhorns' most used arms. Additionally, the talented lefty was one of the best in the country in high-pressure situations with 12 saves. 11 of those came in conference play, which was the most by a freshman in SEC history. He thrived with a 1.59 ERA in conference play while holding opponents to a .160 batting average. What stood out about Volantis was his ability to dominate a lineup regardless of the opponent. His diverse pitch mix and ability to attack the zone made him a matchup nightmare. That is bad news for the rest of the conference, as Volantis is just getting started. While his ultimate goal is to help the Longhorns win a championship, Volantis could not have asked for a better start to his college career. Just being a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes award is an impressive accomplishment. If he can continue to build on his play, it would not be a surprise to see him in the mix for the award next year. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @LonghornsWire.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Max Belyeu injury update: Texas baseball star could play against Oklahoma
Texas baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle said Wednesday he would "like" to get star outfielder Max Belyeu some at-bats during the Longhorns' pivotal three-game series against Oklahoma, which begins Thursday night. Belyeu, the reigning Big 12 Player of the Year, has been sidelined since suffering a thumb injury while making a diving catch at Missouri on March 28. The injury forced him to miss 26 games, but recent progress has the junior right fielder on the verge of returning to action. Advertisement 'He had a really good day (Tuesday),' Schlossnagle said. 'I think he's still working through some things, but he's super close, and I think the rate of progression he's had in the last week has been way faster than in the previous weeks. So we're going to get up there tonight and hit and we'll have a little hitting session (Thursday) in the morning and then, of course, BP before the game. So I think if it keeps progressing, I'd like to get him in there' Schlossnagle noted last week that Belyeu's return would depend on his pain tolerance, but emphasized the team's need for his bat as the postseason approaches. 'We need him, whether he's at the highest percentage or not,' Schlossnagle said. 'Once he gets to a certain threshold, we need to get him at-bats. I don't want his first at-bats to be in the regional or maybe even the SEC Tournament' Belyeu, who is hitting .358 with a 1.107 OPS and six home runs in 24 games this season, could also see time in right field if cleared to play. Despite initial concerns that the injury would make it difficult for him to squeeze his glove, Schlossnagle said Belyeu has been moving well in the outfield during his recovery. Texas enters the final regular-season series with a chance to clinch a share of the SEC title with a win or an Arkansas loss. Belyeu's return would provide a major boost as the Longhorns aim for a deep postseason run. Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on X/Twitter. This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Jim Schlossnagle would like Max Belyeu to play against Oklahoma
USA Today
14-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Max Belyeu injury update: Texas baseball star could play against Oklahoma
Max Belyeu injury update: Texas baseball star could play against Oklahoma Texas baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle said Wednesday he would "like" to get star outfielder Max Belyeu some at-bats. Texas baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle said Wednesday he would "like" to get star outfielder Max Belyeu some at-bats during the Longhorns' pivotal three-game series against Oklahoma, which begins Thursday night. Belyeu, the reigning Big 12 Player of the Year, has been sidelined since suffering a thumb injury while making a diving catch at Missouri on March 28. The injury forced him to miss 26 games, but recent progress has the junior right fielder on the verge of returning to action. 'He had a really good day (Tuesday),' Schlossnagle said. 'I think he's still working through some things, but he's super close, and I think the rate of progression he's had in the last week has been way faster than in the previous weeks. So we're going to get up there tonight and hit and we'll have a little hitting session (Thursday) in the morning and then, of course, BP before the game. So I think if it keeps progressing, I'd like to get him in there' Schlossnagle noted last week that Belyeu's return would depend on his pain tolerance, but emphasized the team's need for his bat as the postseason approaches. 'We need him, whether he's at the highest percentage or not,' Schlossnagle said. 'Once he gets to a certain threshold, we need to get him at-bats. I don't want his first at-bats to be in the regional or maybe even the SEC Tournament' Belyeu, who is hitting .358 with a 1.107 OPS and six home runs in 24 games this season, could also see time in right field if cleared to play. Despite initial concerns that the injury would make it difficult for him to squeeze his glove, Schlossnagle said Belyeu has been moving well in the outfield during his recovery. Texas enters the final regular-season series with a chance to clinch a share of the SEC title with a win or an Arkansas loss. Belyeu's return would provide a major boost as the Longhorns aim for a deep postseason run. Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on X/Twitter.
