Following the Knights’ impressive run to the NCAA Regional Tournament in 2011, UCF head coach Terry Rooney was named one of the top-20 collegiate baseball coaches of the year by Perfect Game USA.
The publication discussed the program’s rise to national prominence since Rooney took the coaching reins three years ago.
The lone Conference USA representative on the list, Rooney guided the Black and Gold to its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2004 with a 39-23 overall record last year. Led by Rooney, the Knights were ranked as high as No. 23 nationally in 2011 and defeated eight nationally-ranked programs, including Florida, Florida State, Alabama, Rice and Stetson.
On the list with Rooney were all eight coaches whose teams reached the College World Series last season, including National Champion South Carolina’s Ray Tanner and National Runner-Up Florida’s Kevin O’Sullivan.