COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland announced today that head baseball coach John Szefc has signed a five-year contract extension. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Szefc has won 112 games in his three years in College Park, leading Maryland to consecutive NCAA Regional titles. Maryland made back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, which led to consecutive Super Regional berths, for the first time since 1970-71. Under Szefc's direction and won a school record 42 games in 2015.
"John has done an outstanding job establishing a winning culture during his three seasons at the University of Maryland," said Kevin Anderson, Maryland director of athletics. "He has led the Maryland baseball program to new heights and brought a renewed energy and excitement to our program. John is a tremendous instructor, leader and motivator. We're excited that he will lead our program for years to come."
"I'm excited about the opportunity to continue to lead this program," Szefc said. "I'm grateful for Kevin Anderson's support and enthusiasm. I've had the pleasure of working with a talented coaching staff, a great group of student-athletes and a committed athletics department. We are encouraged about the strides we have made and look forward to continued success."
During his tenure, Szefc became the fastest head coach in Maryland history to ever reach 100 wins and led the Terps to consecutive 40-win seasons for the first time in school history. The Terps reached the finals of the ACC and Big Ten Tournaments under Szefc and he produced a school record eight draft picks in the 2015 MLB Draft.
Sophomore pitcher Mike Shawaryn earned first team All-American honors under Szefc's watch while second baseman Brandon Lowe and catcher Kevin Martir also earned All-American honors. The trio, along with third baseman Jose Cuas, took home All-Big Ten accolades in 2015.
Szefc has produced three freshman All-Americans in the last two seasons. Shawaryn and Lowe earned the honor last season before shortstop Kevin Smith received the accolade this year.
In his 10 overall seasons as a collegiate head coach, Szefc has posted a 324-209-3 record. He had a 212-137-1 record as the skipper for Marist, leading the Red Foxes to their first baseball title as a member of the Northeast Conference in 1997. He guided Marist to a total of four NCAA Tournament appearances in 1997, 2000, 2001 and 2002, including a 41-14 record during his final year at the school. The 2002 squad claimed a victory over Southwest Missouri State in the NCAA Lincoln Regional, while five of Szefc's players on that team went on to be selected in the MLB Draft.
Szefc won multiple awards as a head coach at Marist. He was named the 1997 NEC Coach of the Year, while he earned American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Northeast Region Coach of the Year honors in 2001.