SAN ANTONIO — The University of the Incarnate Word Director of Athletics Dr. Brian Wickstrom has tabbed Ryan Shotzberger as head coach of the Cardinal baseball program (pending successful completion of UIW hiring procedures), announced the department Monday.
“When I visited with the student-athletes from the team about what they wanted in their next head coach, they wanted high energy, accountability and a person who would help them continue the momentum from Coach Hallmark,” said Wickstrom. “Ryan knows every aspect of overseeing a baseball program and has worked with multiple winning programs. He genuinely cares about the student-athlete experience and seeing them grow. It is a great time to be a Cardinal!”
Shotzberger has been part of successful programs on staff at both Houston and TCU. In total, he has helped those programs to seven 40+ win seasons. Shotzberger has 13 conference championships under his belt with eight regular-season championships and five conference tournament championships. He has helped his teams to 10 postseason appearances, including nine trips to NCAA Regionals, three appearances at NCAA Super Regionals, and one trip to the College World Series.
“I’d like to thank President Thomas Evans, Dr. Wickstrom and the search committee for giving me this opportunity,” said Shotzberger. “My family and I are very excited to be part of the UIW athletics department and look forward to building on the great momentum the University has right now”
Additionally, Shotzberger has worked with 60 players who have been drafted, with eight of those appearing on active Major League Baseball rosters. Five former players are currently on active MLB rosters.
Shotzberger comes to UIW after an eight-year stint at the University of Houston, where he was most recently an assistant coach who oversaw the Cougar offense.
AT HOUSTON (2012-19)
In 2019, Shotzberger helped guide the Cougars to a 32-24 overall mark (with a 12-12 record in the American Athletic Conference). Houston had notable wins over No. 24 Arizona, No. 11 East Carolina (ECU) and No. 7 Texas A&M.
Under Shotzgerger’s guidance, Jared Triolo was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates as the 72nd pick in the Competitive Balance Round B. As a junior in 2019, Triolo posted a .512 slugging percentage, and a .420 on-base percentage. He led the Cougars in batting average (.332), hits (72), doubles (18) and runs scored (46) en route to Second Team All-AAC honors at third base.
Shotzberger helped Houston’s 2018 team to a 38-25 overall record (with a 16-8 mark in the AAC), an AAC regular-season title, and an NCAA Chapel Hill Regional berth.
Houston slugger Joe Davis broke the Cougar all-time home run record by hitting 13 home runs in 2018 to tally 35 total in his career. Davis was a second team all-conference honoree and hit .318 while driving in a league-leading 62 RBI.
Third baseman Jared Triolo started all 63 games at third base, finishing with a .344 average and 85 hits. Triolo reached base in all but three games during the 2018 season.
Four Cougars earned all-conference honors (Trey Cumbie, Aaron Fletcher, Lael Lockhart Jr., Joe Davis) and three were selected in the MLB First Year Player Draft (Cumbie, Fletcher, Joey Pulido).
Over his first six years with the Cougars, Shotzberger helped Houston to four American Athletic Conference Championship titles, three 40-win seasons, a Super Regional appearance and two NCAA Regional host bids.
AT TCU (2007-11)
Prior to Houston, Shotzberger spent five years on staff at TCU with Todd Whitting.
While with the Horned Frogs, he coached the catchers, assisted with the hitters, threw batting practice, manned the bullpen during games and filled in as the first base coach. Shotzberger also tutored three All-Conference catchers in Andrew Walker, Josh Elander and Bryan Holaday, the 2010 Johnny Bench Award recipient.
AT DUKE (2006)
Shotzberger spent the 2006 season on the Duke staff. While in Durham, North Carolina, he was responsible for coaching the infielders, hitters, base runner and catchers.
PLAYING DAYS
A native of Wilmington, Delaware, Shotzberger attended McDaniel College (formerly Western Maryland) in Westminster, Maryland. A four-year letterwinner at shortstop, he earned First Team All-Centennial Conference honors in 2003 and 2004. He was also named the team MVP.
PERSONAL
Shotzberger graduated with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science in 2004 from McDaniel College. He is married to Angie and has one son, Thomas.
HEAR WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
Todd Whitting, Head Coach, University of Houston
“I am extremely happy for Coach Shotzberger and his wonderful wife, Angie. He has been on my staff for many years and I appreciate his hard work and loyalty to our team and my family. He has been a huge part of our success here at Houston and also at TCU. Coach Shotzberger is extremely knowledgeable in all facets of the game, program building and player relations. He is absolutely the perfect hire for the UIW program.”
Bryan Holaday, former student-athlete, current catcher, Miami Marlins
“I had Coach Shotz as a coach at TCU for three years. He played a pivotal role helping me win the Johnny Bench Award in 2010. He is a great coach, leader, and mentor who taught me how to work and take pride in everything I do, on and off the field.”
Randy Mazey, Head Coach, West Virginia University
“Coach Shotz will make a great head coach. He has always worked in extremely successful programs and will no doubt bring great passion and excitement to his own program. I am extremely confident that Shotz will be a successful head coach.”
Matt Carpenter, Infielder, St. Louis Cardinals
“Coach Shotz is going to be a great head coach. Shotz’s determination, ability to relate to players, and work ethic always stood out to me when I played at TCU. He truly cares about the player’s both on- and off-field success. I wish him and UIW the best of luck.”
Jim Schlossnagle, Head Coach, TCU
“Ryan has become an accomplished and successful coach in a variety of winning programs. He knows not only how to win championships, but also how to run a comprehensive program at the highest level. Ryan is hardworking, knowledgeable and a good leader of young men. I have no doubt Ryan will have UIW competing for championships in the near future.”
Sr. Walter Maher, CCVI, Vice President of University Mission & Ministry, UIW
“What makes me excited about Coach Shotzberger is that he is a man of moral courage and he speaks his truth with respect and love. I’m excited to have him join the Cardinal family.”
Tony Vitello, Head Coach, University of Tennessee
“Shotz (Ryan) has been the organizational glue behind the scenes of a lot of winning teams. It’s great to see him have the opportunity to now lead out front. He has a long-standing track record of outworking others and taking on tasks that others shy away from. The student-athletes there will find out quickly that they have a coach that will relate incredibly well to them while also making their development a priority.”
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2018-19: University of Houston Assistant Coach
2014-17: University of Houston Director of Player Development
2012-14: University of Houston Assistant Coach
2007-11: TCU Assistant Coach
2006: Duke Assistant Coach
2005-06: Cecil Junior College Assistant Coach
CHAMPIONSHIPS WON
2018: American Athletic Conference Champions
2017: American Athletic Tournament Champions
2017: American Athletic Conference Champions
2015: American Athletic Conference Champions
2014: American Athletic Tournament Champions
2011: Mountain West Conference Champions
2010: Mountain West Conference Champions
2010: Mountain West Conference Tournament Champions
2009: Mountain West Champions
2008: Mountain West Champions
2008: Mountain West Conference Tournament Champions
2007: Mountain West Champions
2007: Mountain West Tournament Champions
NCAA POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE
2018: NCAA Chapel Hill Regional
2017: NCAA Houston Regional
2015: NCAA Houston Regional
2014: Austin Super Regional
2014: Baton Rouge Regional Champions
2011: Fort Worth Regional
2010: College World Series
2010: Austin Super Regional Champions
2010: Fort Worth Regional Champions
2009: Austin Super Regional
2009: Fort Worth Regional Champions
2008: Stillwater Regional
2007: Houston Regional
