Big 12 Assistant Coaching Hokey Pokey

■ Kansas State announces baseball staff changes (kstatesports.com)

Kansas State head baseball coach Brad Hill announced today a restructuring of his coaching staff with the hiring of two new assistant coaches and the transitioning of long-time assistant coach Sean McCann
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Former Kansas hitting coach John Szefc (pronounced CHEF) has been named Associate Head Coach and will serve as the team’s hitting coach. Also, former Wildcat assistant Josh Reynolds has been hired as the pitching coach.

McCann, who has served as the Cats’ pitching coach and recruiting coordinator since Hill was named head coach prior to the 2004 season, has resigned from his full-time position due to health reasons. While reducing his workload, McCann will remain on the staff for the 2011 season as a volunteer assistant coach.

“I can’t express enough gratitude to Sean for everything he has done at Kansas State,” Hill said. “He has been an invaluable member of my staff at K-State since day one and has poured his heart and soul into making this program what it is today. He has been one of the biggest reasons K-State baseball has grown over the past several seasons. But it has taken a toll on Sean's health. We are happy he has decided to stay on staff this year in a reduced role, and we will continue to rely on him for his wealth of knowledge about the game and our program.”
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A 21-year coaching veteran who has helped guide teams to seven regionals and four conference championships at the Division I level, Szefc becomes the first Associate Head Coach under Hill at Kansas State. He will be the team’s hitting coach, direct the Wildcat offense and also work with the infielders. He replaces Andy Sawyers, who resigned on January 14, to become Associate Head Coach at Texas A&M.

■ Pitching coach Graves elevated to Associate Head Coach (kusports.com)

In an important decision for the future of the Kansas baseball program, Head Coach Ritch Price announced Friday that long-time assistant coach Ryan Graves has been elevated to the position of Associate Head Coach effective immediately. Graves will continue to coordinate the Kansas pitching staff and also be the position coach for the team’s catchers.

“We’re promoting Coach Graves to Associate Head Coach to reward him for his commitment, loyalty and the success of our pitching staff,” Price said. “Ryan has a proven track record of preparing players to succeed at both the collegiate as well as the professional level. He plays an extremely important role in keeping our program at the Top 25 level.”