TAMPA, FLA. (June 16, 2006) Lelo Prado, a native of Cuba who grew up in Tampa before embarking on an ultra-successful college coaching career that includes back-to-back NCAA Division II National Championships in his hometown, returns home today as the new head coach at the University of South Florida, USF director of athletics Doug Woolard announced. Prado signed a five-year contract through July 1, 2011 with an annual salary of $95,000.

Prado, in turn, announced his first hire. Former New York Yankee and Tampa Bay Devil Ray Tino Martinez, who played at Tampa while Prado was an assistant coach there, will be the Bulls' volunteer assistant coach. Martinez also played for Seattle and St. Louis in his 16-year MLB career.

“Lelo Prado is the absolute perfect fit for USF Baseball,” said Woolard. “We couldn't be more pleased to bring home a local hero with such a strong track record of success. We were looking for the absolute best candidate who would offer the strongest partnership with our baseball student-athletes, and there is none better than Coach Prado.”

Prado, 43, joins USF from the University of Louisville, where in 11 seasons he became that school's all-time winningest coach with 320 victories. In 18 seasons as a head coach, including seven at Tampa and 11 at Louisville, Prado is 598-425-2 with his two national championships (1992, 1993), eight NCAA appearances and three Division II World Series appearances. At Louisville, he took the program to its first-ever NCAA appearance in 2003 and he was the 2002 Conference USA Coach of the Year, the same year he won USA Baseball Coach of the Year.

In his seven seasons at Tampa, Prado compiled a 278-124-1 record and took all seven teams to nothing short of the NCAA South Region Finals. He was named the ABCA National Coach of the Year in 1992 and 1993, and he was the South Region Coach of the Year in 1990, 1992 and 1993. He also won Conference Coach of the Year in 1989, 1990 and 1995 and was inducted into the Sunshine State Conference Hall of Fame in 1995. His number “1” jersey is retired at Tampa, but he will return to the number as head coach at USF.

His success in Tampa predates his days as the Spartans head coach. As a sophomore catcher at Tampa Catholic High School, he helped the Crusaders to a state title. In his senior season of 1981, Prado hit .504 en route to all-Hillsborough County honors.

He went on to play two seasons at Hillsborough Community College (HCC) in Tampa before a two-year playing career at the University of Tampa, where he earned a bachelor's degree in adult fitness in 1985. He worked the 1985 Fall as an assistant at HCC before he re-joined Tampa as an assistant from 1986-88 prior to being named head coach.

His accomplishments extend to the USA National Team, where he was the head coach in 2002 and an assistant in 2000. Additionally, he was a member of the USA Baseball Selection Committee from 1995-98, including the 1996 Olympic Team Selection Committee.

Prado and his wife, Pam, have three sons, Jason, Tyler and Zach.

Selected Quotes ? USF Hires Head Coach Lelo Prado
Press Conference ? June 16, 2006

Doug Woolard on the hiring of coach Lelo Prado
“What a great day to be a Bull. Before I begin I want to add a special thanks for everything that Eddie Cardieri has done for this program in getting it to the point where it is at today. When we started this (search) two weeks ago, what I committed to our baseball team was that we were going to find the best person in America to provide the partnership that we want for them both academically and athletically. I will tell you that Lelo Prado is the absolute quintessential fit for our baseball program. We couldn't be any more pleased to bring home a local hero that has such a strong track record of success.”

President Judy Genshaft on hiring Prado
“We are so pleased to welcome coach Prado back home. After 20 years of having to wear red, we are really pleased to put him in green and gold. Our fantastic University and community are so rich in diversity and we're proud to welcome an outstanding coach, who is truly a local baseball hero, dating back to his days in high school.”

Head Coach Lelo Prado
“I'm very honored to be your new baseball coach. I'm excited to be here. I think this University and this baseball program could be one of the best in America. There is no reason why is shouldn't. I've heard just about every excuse that you could have on why we can't be. Well, if you have those answers, get away from me because, I'll tell you today, I don't want negative people around me. I want positive, going to wear the green and gold and be proud to be a Bull. I promise you that we are going to make this thing happen. We've got to put people in the seats. Our baseball players will be out in the community.”

“I want to thank the University for giving me this opportunity. It's been the toughest 48 hours of my life. I've worked for a great president and a great athletic director and I'm coming into an even better situation. I've got to thank the University of Louisville for giving me the opportunity.”

“Pros and cons about coming here ? family was the No. 1 thing on everyone's list. Family is more important to me than winning baseball games. If my group is happy, then I am happy. Weather is definitely a great situation. I'm tired of wearing long pants and sleeves in February and March. That will not happen here.”

“We are going to win. We're going to win big. And I'm extremely excited. We've got to get the community behind this program. There is no reason why it shouldn't be one of the best in America. Don't tell me about the stadium. We'll build a stadium, eventually. I promise you that. It will happen. Not going to tell you that it's going to happen next year. I'm not going to tell you that it's going to happen in three years.”

“We've got to bring good baseball players here. We've got a good club here. I thought South Florida was a better club then I had a Louisville. But, we played for the championship in the BIG EAST because our kids never gave up and played harder down the stretch than anyone else in the conference. We will play hard. You will see an exciting team. I will promise you that.”

“I also want to thank Eddie Cardieri. This morning, when I got off of the plane, the first phone call I got was from Eddie Cardieri. He's a friend of mine. He did a great job here. He's a great baseball man and he will move forward and be successful because he is a good person and good human being.”

“What a job this athletic department did last year with all of the teams. The best is yet to come. We've just scratched the surface. We need to win BIG EAST championships. I know we have a crazy football coach (Jim Leavitt) that I see on the side line. You're going to see a crazy baseball coach, too.”

“I hope to see every one of you out at baseball. For the other sports that are here, I'll be at your games, cheering you on. Our players will there cheering your teams on. Hopefully we'll make this a big old happy family. This is just unbelievable. I am just so excited.”