At the end of May Baylor Athletics announced the departure of former head baseball coach Steve Rodriguez and only two short weeks later, the Bears hired beloved former assistant coach turned McLennan Community College head coach Mitch Thompson as the baseball team’s new leader. Thompson was a crucial member of the Baylor Baseball team coaching staff from 1995-2012 where the Bears earned tickets to three Big 12 Conference championships, 12 NCAA Regional appearances, three Super Regional debuts, and ultimately the 2005 College World Series. As head coach at MCC, Thompson notched a 372-138-1 or .728 record where Highlanders not only participated in postseason challenges every season but also most recently made consecutive attempts in the JUCO World Series and earned the 2021 national title.
In Baylor’s press release, Thompson said, “I’m so grateful for this opportunity to return home to a place where I spent 18 wonderful years working hard to help build a championship program,” Thompson said. “This is truly a dream job for me and my family, and I’m so thankful to Mack Rhoades and his team for believing in my vision to bring new energy to the Baylor Baseball program. I look forward to working together with our administration, alumni, the Heart of the Order, and all of the Baylor Family, to bring championship caliber baseball and a great home field advantage back to Baylor Ballpark.”
Rhoades commented, “We are thrilled to introduce Mitch Thompson as the next head coach of our baseball program. His proven track record of success along with his personal connection to Baylor make him a special fit for this position. Mitch is a passionate leader who truly understands and embraces our purpose, Preparing Champions for Life, pouring into student-athletes on and off the field challenging them to be the best they can be in all areas of their lives. I am confident in his ability to bring tremendous energy and excitement and look forward to supporting his leadership of our young men and our baseball program. We are so excited to welcome home Mitch, his wife Amber, and their daughters Mary Conley and Caroline.”
