Murray State Director of Athletics Allen Ward has announced the hiring of MSU alum and Saint Louis associate head coach Kevin Moulder as the eighth head coach of the Racer baseball program Tuesday.
“We had an outstanding group of candidates for the job and that speaks volumes about the reputation of Murray State and the potential for this program,” said Ward. “Kevin exudes class both on and off the field. Our players will learn quickly that Coach Moulder will care about them, motivate them, and teach them to be the very best. He will make a difference in their lives and build relationships that last long after their playing days are over.
“He’s one of the brightest young coaches in the game and is well prepared to lead our program. He’s been successful everywhere he’s been and I expect nothing less as he takes the reigns at Murray State. Recruits will look at his track record, quickly buy into his vision, and want to play for him.
“We’re making quite an investment in Baseball these days. We have a new grandstand, building a new Pressbox, and adding lights to Reagan Field. All of this should be completed prior to the 2015 season. And while all of these improvements are important for the program, with Kevin, it’s not about what we don’t have, but what we do have. That’s encouraging.”
Moulder takes over the Racer program after seven very highly successful seasons as the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at Saint Louis. He helped lead the Billikens to three-straight Atlantic 10 regular-season championships, two A-10 tournament championships and a pair of NCAA Regional appearances.
“I am very excited about the opportunity to turn a place that is very special to me into a winner,” said Moulder. “It is going to take hard work, but everything is in place to win. I look forward to moving this program in that direction.
“I expect to compete immediately. It might be a challenge the first year, but I promise we will work harder than anybody else in the league. That applies to practice, recruiting and everything that goes into a baseball program.
“The commitment that Mr. Ward and Murray State are making to baseball was one of the key factors in being attracted to this job. We now have the resources in place to be very successful in the OVC. The commitment has pushed the program over the edge and will now take us to where we want to be.”
While at SLU, the Billikens have broken the single season wins record three times and have recorded five 30+ win seasons. Saint Louis won the Atlantic 10 regular season title in three consecutive seasons from 2012-14.
Moulder took the Billiken pitching staff to new heights. His pitchers broke four single season records and three career records. In 2012, Moulder’s staff boasted a 1.17 WHIP, which was sixth-best in the nation. They also cracked the national top 20 in Walks per Game (2.35, 11th), Strikeout to Walk Ratio (2.35, 13th) and ERA (3.06, 17th). Moulder also coached Travis Parker in a terrific senior campaign where he did not allow an earned run all season, en route to a All-America selection. The 2012 staff also lead the A-10 with a 3.06 ERA.
Moulder has coached more than 40 players who have either been drafted or have gone on to play professional baseball, including Brian Schlitter, Tom Layne and Deunte Heath who have all played in MLB games. Dave Sever and Zach Outman were MLB draft picks under Moulder.
Prior to his time at SLU, Moulder spent two seasons at Central Missouri. He helped the Mules to 95 wins in two seasons, including going 51-13 record and the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) championship in 2006. His 2006 pitching staff that boasted a 3.08 ERA with eight shutouts.
Moulder began his coaching in 2004 as an assistant at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, where he had four pitchers sign with Division I programs.
In 2005, Moulder moved on to Lake City (Fla.) Community College as an associate coach, and guided a team that included nine players selected in the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft, the second-most of any college level.
Moulder also has a variety of experience as a head coach in summer college baseball leagues. He spent the summer of 2007 leading the Brazos Valley Bombers to the Texas Collegiate League playoffs for the first time in franchise history. In 2006, Moulder guided the Laramie Colts to a 32-18 record and the franchise’s first Mountain League championship.
As a player, Moulder began his career as a pitcher at Forest Park. He earned all-region honors in helping the Archers to the 2001 NJCAA World Series. Moulder transferred to Murray State in 2002 and helped the Thoroughbreds to the 2003 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament title and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
Moulder graduated from Murray State in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in organizational communication. He earned a master’s in sports administration from Central Missouri in 2007.
Kevin and his wife, Tess, live in St. Louis with their daughter, Ellie.
“It’s an exciting day for Murray State baseball,” said Ward. “I’m thrilled Kevin has accepted the position and I want to welcome his wife Tess, and their daughter Ellie to the Racer family.”
What They Are Saying About Moulder
Senior Pitcher Brock Downey
“Coach Moulder is a great hire for Murray State. He is a great recruiter and his team’s have enjoyed success. I am very excited to get back to Murray and get started on next season. The entire team is ready to get back to work and compete for an OVC championship.”
Saint Louis Head Coach Darin Hendrickson
“Kevin is a real enthusiastic, competitive guy that is a tremendous recruiter. He has been very instrumental in the success we have had at Saint Louis. He has won everywhere he has been as a player and a coach. He is soft spoken off the field and competitive on the field. Kevin has been through a lot and it is now time for him to run his own ship. He is definitely the right guy for Murray State.
Former Murray State Head Coach Mike Thieke
“I am very excited to have Kevin taking over the baseball program. He came to us as a highly touted pitcher and worked his way into the rotation. I was blessed to have several intelligent players on my team’s and he ranks near the top of the list. Kevin will do a tremendous job with this program and I will do anything I can to help the Racer baseball program.”
St. Louis Metro Baseball League President Marty Stein
“He’s one of the brightest and most creative young coaches in college baseball. Kevin is an outstanding communicator and has a plan for running his program and building a winner. I gave Kevin his first job in coaching and I’m very proud of him to earn this opportunity. He’ll be a great asset to Murray State University.”
