FRESNO - After 20 seasons at the helm, Mike Batesole is stepping down as head coach of the Fresno State baseball program. Ryan Overland will serve as interim head coach for the 2023 season. Batesole, a two-time National Coach of the Year, guided the Diamond Dogs to the 2008 national championship by winning the College World Series at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha.
By taking the Bulldogs from Underdogs to Wonderdogs, Batesole's squad claimed the school's first Division I national championship for any men's sport while capturing hearts across the nation. His Bulldogs won seven-straight conference titles from 2006-12 and made six NCAA appearances in that time, advancing to the regional title game three times before winning the National Championship.
"We cannot thank Mike Batesole enough for his 20 years of service to Fresno State and Bulldog Baseball," Tumey said. "His accomplishments on the diamond, including over 600 wins and a national championship here at Fresno State, are only surpassed by the tremendous impact he made on hundreds of student-athletes throughout his career. There's no doubt that Mike Batesole joins Pete Beiden and Bob Bennett as legendary Diamond 'Dogs and one of the best coaches in Fresno State history."
In his 20-year tenure at Fresno State, Batesole produced 89 players who were selected in the annual Major League Baseball draft, including five First Round draft picks (Richie Robnett in 2004, Matt Garza in 2005, Aaron Judge in 2013, Taylor Ward in 2015, and Ryan Jensen in 2019).
Batesole was honored four times as the conference's coach of the year during his time with the Bulldogs (2008, 2010, 2016, and 2019) and often noted that there was a reason players are called "student-athletes," with the emphasis on the word student, long prioritizing academic achievement and providing opportunities for individuals in his program to develop the skills to be great members of their communities.
The Diamond 'Dogs were honored with 236 Academic all-conference honors between the WAC and the Mountain West while on the field; eight 'Dogs were named conference players of the year, five pitchers earned conference pitcher of the year honors, four freshmen were named conference freshman of the year and the 'Dogs earned 113 all-conference honors.
Batesole joined the Bulldogs after spending seven seasons as head coach at Cal State Northridge. During his tenure, the Matadors captured a Western Athletic Conference (1996) and Big West Conference title (2002). The Matadors made two NCAA Tournament appearances under Batesole and were eliminated by J.D. Drew and the Florida State Seminoles in the NCAA Tournament Regionals in 1996.
Batesole himself was drafted in the 14th round of the 1985 MLB Draft and played four seasons in the Los Angeles Dodgers' organization.
A native of Anaheim, Calif., Batesole played shortstop for Garden Grove High School, earning All-Garden Grove Conference and All-Orange County honors. Batesole then was a standout player at Oral Roberts, where he finished his tenure ranked third in school history in career home runs.
Fresno State Notable Accomplishments
Championships/Titles at Fresno State
- National Championship ('08)
- Seven NCAA Tournament appearances ('06, '07, '08, '09, '11, '12, '19)
- Two-time Mountain West Regular Season Champions ('16, '19)
- Mountain West Tournament Champions ('19)
- Five-time WAC Regular Season Champions ('06,'07,'08,'10,'11)
- Six-time WAC Tournament Champions ('06, '07, '08, '09, '11, '12)
Awards/Honors
- Two-time Collegiate Baseball National Coach of the Year (1998, 2008)
- Named 2008 National Coach of the Year by American Baseball Coaches Association, National College Baseball Writers Association, and FieldTurf
- Two-time Mountain West Coach of the Year (2016 & 2019)
- Two-time Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year (2008 & 2010)
- 2002 Big West Conference Coach of the Year
- Had the school's first ESPY nomination for "Biggest Upset" in 2008
Mike Batesole Message to Red Wave
After 30 years of service in the California State System. Mission Accomplished. The leadership of our program remains rock solid. President Jimenez-Sandoval gets it. Terry Tumey is the best AD west of Texas. I am proud to have worked under two super-smart men who care so much about their people.
The backbone of our program - the support from our Administration, Alumni, local community, and our Dugout Club is the passion for Bulldog Baseball. Our players are the best in the Mountain West - best pitching, best up the middle, and best newcomers. We are primed to win the next three Championships along with our signed recruits.
Gonna miss the clubhouse. The timing is right. Great leadership, great support, great players, and smart timing. We are poised for success.
Thank You, Red Wave!
Go 'Dogs!
– Bates44
