Like USF Baseball on Facebook
Follow @USFBaseball on Twitter
TAMPA, June 23, 2014 – USF head baseball coach Mark Kingston has added Mike Current and Bill Mohl as assistant coaches while moving Frank Maldonado into the director of baseball operations role on Monday.
Both Current and Mohl join Kingston from Illinois State University where they helped guide the Redbirds to two regular season Missouri Valley Conference championships, a conference tournament title and twice broke the program's season wins record. Maldonado has been an assistant coach with USF the past four seasons helping lead the Bulls to 126 wins over that stretch.
Current began his coaching career in 2006 at Illinois State following a two-year career at Blackburn College where he played shortstop for the Beavers leading them to a then school record 28 wins in 2005. During his nine year tenure with the Redbirds, Current has coached 53 All-MVC players including eight position players who were taken in the Major League Baseball Draft. Since the 2008 season, Illinois State has topped the totals set in 2005 before Current's arrival in runs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and extra base hits despite the NCAA changes to the aluminum bat in 2011 which on average, lowered offensive production across the country dramatically.
"Mike will prove to be one of the premier recruiters in college baseball,” said Kingston. “He is very bright and will put forth the necessary effort to bring top student-athletes into our program. He is also a true student of hitting and will have a great impact on the development of our offense. His attention to detail will serve our program very well. “
Mohl has spent the last five seasons of his coaching career with Coach Kingston at Illinois State working primarily with the pitchers. Fifteen pitchers have received All-MVC honors under his tutelage while a total of 36 Redbirds were named All-Conference during his time in Normal. Mohl has also developed pitchers that have moved on to the next level as eight pitchers have been taken in the MLB Draft including all three weekend rotation starters and the team's closer from this year's team. Prior to ISU, Mohl spent three years on the Tulane staff following a highly successful playing career with the Green Wave. In his three seasons assisting his alma mater, Tulane averaged 35 wins and 454 strikeouts a season.
"There is no doubt that Billy is one of the best young pitching coaches around,” said Kingston. “He is a tireless worker and studies the art of pitching as much as anyone. His results in turning pitchers into premium pro prospects has been impressive. He relates well to his student-athletes and they love working with him. He is a major asset for our staff, and will have a great impact on this program."
In his four years with USF, Maldonado has overseen many of the day-to-day activities with the program. He has worked with both the infielders and outfielders as well as the base runners while serving as the first base coach. Prior to coming to USF, Maldonado spent five seasons with the University of Tampa where he was instrumental in the success of the UT program helping the Spartans to back-to-back NCAA national championships in 2006 and 2007. Over the course of his coaching career, Maldonado has coached 52 players who have been taken in the MLB Draft.
"I knew shortly after meeting Frank that I would like to keep him on board. He has done a great job building our presence in the community through our camps. He also has a knowledge of our program and team that will help us in the transition. Frank is energetic, positive, and hard working. That makes him a great fit with our staff."
Follow USF Baseball on twitter (@USFBaseball) and facebook for all the latest information concerning the USF Baseball program.
