UT-Arlington names K.J. Hendricks Assistant Baseball Coach

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FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE

ARLINGTON, Texas – UT Arlington head baseball coach Darin Thomas announced on Wednesday that K.J. Hendricks has been added to the Mavericks coaching staff as an assistant coach.

Hendricks, although new to the position, is no stranger to the UTA baseball program after spending each of the past two seasons on the Maverick coaching staff as a volunteer assistant (2009) and team chaplain (2008).

"We are excited to be able to add K.J. Hendricks to our staff," Thomas said. "Having worked with K.J. for the last two years I know he will do a great job. I know we see eye-to-eye on our philosophies on hitting, defense and base running – which are the things he will be handling. I also know the players liked him and liked the way he coached. We are excited to have an alum on board."

Hendricks was a two-year letterman for the Mavericks in 2001-02 while Thomas was associate head coach of the Mavs, helping lead UTA to the 2001 NCAA Tournament. Hendricks was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2001 SLC Tournament while batting .391 in tournament play. Hendricks was a two-time All-SLC selection and led the league in stolen bases during both seasons.

Following his junior season in 2002, Hendricks was drafted in the 26th round by the Colorado Rockies. He played six professional seasons overall, which included time in the Rockies and Baltimore Orioles farm system and one season with the Fort Worth Cats in the Independent League. His professional playing career included a .284 average with 134 stolen bases.

Hendricks replaces Mark Flatten, who accepted a scouting position with the Toronto Blue Jays after spending three and a half years on the Mavericks coaching staff.