FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
PHILADELPHIA – Chuck Ristano, who helped lead Monmouth to a pair of NEC Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances in his four seasons, has been named an assistant baseball coach at Temple, head coach Rob Valli announced today. Ristano will serve as pitching coach and recruiting coordinator for the Owls.
"Coach Ristano has clearly distinguished himself as one of the best recruiting coordinators in our region," Valli said. "His pitching staffs have always produced tremendous results. We expect that formula for success to continue here at Temple."
Ristano, who was also the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Monmouth, helped guide the Hawks to the conference title and automatic NCAA bid in 2007 and 2009. MU won 30 or more games in three of the four seasons with Ristano on staff, including a school-record 37 victories in 2008.
"I’m extremely excited to come on board here at Temple," Ristano said. "Philadelphia is a great city, and once I got the chance to visit campus, I was blown away by the academic buildings, facilities, and athletic support staff.
I’ve known Coach Valli for a long time now, and I’m really looking forward to working with him and our pitching staff. Temple is a special place, and I’m proud to be a part of a team and University with such tremendous traditions."
Six pitchers earned all-conference and four earned all-region honors under Ristano, including Brad Brach, who was the 2007 NEC Pitcher of the Year. Three pitchers have been drafted under Ristano, including Ryan Buch and Brett Brach, who were selected in the eighth and tenth round, respectively, in the 2009 MLB Draft.
In his first season at Monmouth (2006), Ristano’s pitching staff ranked eighth nationally in ERA (3.34), setting a new school record. In 2008, his staff posted a 3.99 ERA, as the Hawks joined 11 other teams to finish in the NCAA top 20 in ERA in two of the previous three seasons. In 2007, his staff set a school record with 374 strikeouts.
During his four seasons at the school, Monmouth compiled a 132-89 record and had a composite ERA of 4.35. The Hawks led the NEC in ERA in 2006 and finished second three times and led the conference in strikeouts twice.
