TicketsScott Googins was named the 28th head baseball coach at the University of Cincinnati on June 6, 2017 and will enter his sixth season in the spring of 2023.
In 2022, the Bearcats continued to experience success as Griffin Merritt was named the AAC Player of the Year, joining Ian Happ (2015) as the only two Cincinnati baseball players to win the award. Merritt was also named CoSIDA First Team All-American, ABCA/Rawlings First Team All-Region and AAC Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Five Bearcats took home All-AAC honors in total, tying the Bearcats record since joining the AAC. In addition to the individual accolades, the Bearcats finished the year 35th in the nation with 87 homers and 27th in homers per game (1.58), both of which led the AAC.
Googins guided the Bearcats to their first winning season since 2011 in 2021. UC finished 29-26 and had five players named to the All-AAC First or Second Team. Left-handed pitcher Evan Shawver was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft. In addition to Shawver, pitcher Garrett Schoenle was signed by the Chicago White Sox as a NDFA. Besides the talented pitching, the Bearcats had one of the best offenses in the conference in 2021, ranking in the top-3 in just about every offensive category.
Prior to a pandemic-shortened 2020, Googins led the Bearcats to one of the most successful seasons in program history in 2019. Despite a slow 1-9 start, UC found itself as the No. 2 seed in the American Athletic Conference Tournament where they were yet to win a game. After winning its first three, UC went on to trounce UConn 22-5 to win the AAC Tournament title and advance to the NCAA postseason for the first time in 45 years. With the automatic bid, the Bearcats were shipped west to reigning CWS champion Oregon State for NCAA Regional action. On the big stage the win streak continued with a dramatic 7-6 victory over the national-host Beavers. The magic came to an end with a loss the next day to eventual CWS runner-up Michigan. UC's historic 2019 season came to a close with a 31-31 final tally.
Googins' had made magic in the Queen City before and proved he could do it again in his second year of 2019. The team broke numerous records during the campaign. Six Bearcats earned All-AAC Tournament honors with AJ Bumpass being named the tournament MVP. Three players were named to the Corvallis Regional All-Tournament Team. Bumpass was later drafted by the Cincinnati Reds. The win over Oregon State marked Googins' 400th in his storied career.
In his first season, Googins guided UC to its best finish since 2011 as the Bearcats finished at 28-28 overall and an even 12-12 in American Athletic Conference play, one of the toughest RPI conferences in the nation. UC led the nation in double plays, turned a triple-play for the fifth time in school history and earned numerous individual achievements. Shortstop Manny Rodriguez was drafted in the tenth round while pitchers Cam Alldred and J.T. Perez also were selected in the MLB draft. All three were all-conference honorees (Rodriguez and Perez on First Team, Alldred on Second), marking the first time UC has ever had two first team honorees and three total honorees in AAC history. Nine different players earned weekly conference accolades throughout the season.
In addition, Connor McVey tied for fifth all-time in single season sacrifice flies, Perez tied for fifth in starts and Alldred had the seventh-most strikeouts in a season in UC history. McVey was honored as the 2017-18 AAC Baseball Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Catcher Joey Thomas landed on the Johnny Bench Award Watch List and pitcher Nathan Moore was honored as a Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholar, as the awards came both on the field and in the classroom. An impressive 23 Bearcats landed on the AAC All-Academic Team for having a 3.0 GPA or better. After posting a 3.20 fall GPA and 3.26 GPA in the spring, UC was recognized by the American Baseball Coaches Association with the Team Academic Excellence Award.
Googins made the move across town after 12 seasons as the head coach at Xavier. The all-time winningest coach in XU history, he compiled a 341-357 record with four NCAA Tournament appearances including back-to-back regional finals berths in 2016 and 2017 and six regular season or conference tournament championships.
Googins led Xavier to a 34-27 finish in 2017. The Musketeers won their second-straight BIG EAST Tournament Championship and advanced to the NCAA Regional Finals for the second-straight year. Rylan Bannon was named the BIG EAST Player of the Year and the Musketeers featured six all-league selections.
During his 12 seasons at the helm at XU, Googins earned coaching accolades as the 2009 ABCA Mideast Region Coach of the Year, the 2008 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year and the 2016 BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year. Additionally, 11 of his players were chosen in the MLB First Year Player Draft since 2005, including Seth Willoughby whose fourth-round selection by the Colorado Rockies in 2012 was the highest pick in program history.
The Xavier program soared to new heights under Googins’ tutelage, earning its first Atlantic 10 Championship and first NCAA victory in 2009. Its first BIG EAST Championship win and second NCAA tournament victory came in 2014 before back-to-back BIG EAST Championship titles and NCAA Regional Championship appearances in 2016 and 2017.
Before taking the head coaching role at Xavier, Googins was an assistant at Miami (Ohio) from 2000-04. During his tenure working primarily with the outfielders, the RedHawks made four straight Mid-American Conference Tournament appearances. Two of his players left for the professional ranks with one garnering All-American honors before his departure. Googins also was in charge of academics, travel and field maintenance and the team recorded the highest GPA among men's teams at Miami under his guidance.
He was an assistant at Indiana from 1992-99, working with the Hoosiers' catchers, outfielders and hitters. He was a part of the 1996 Big 10 Championship team and traveled to the Wichita State Regional in the NCAA Tournament. Off the field, Googins assisted in the recruiting process, facility and field maintenance, academic progress and the supervision of student managers.
A native of Granville, Ohio, Googins was a three-year varsity letterwinner at Ohio Wesleyan in Delaware, Ohio. He moved into a coaching role as a senior and stayed on after graduation, coaching first base and working with the team's catchers.
Googins and his wife, Jody – a former volleyball standout at Xavier – live in West Chester, Ohio, with their daughter, Ellie, and two sons, Tommy and Charlie.
// CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- 2016 BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year
- 2009 ABCA Mideast Region Coach of the Year
- 2008 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year
- Three NCAA Tournament appearances (2009, 2014, 2016, 2017)
- Three BIG EAST Tournament Championships (2014, 2016, 2017)
- BIG EAST Regular Season Championship (2016)
- Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship (2009)
- Atlantic 10 Regular Season Championship (2008)
- Xavier's first NCAA Tournament win in baseball
- 11 players selected in the MLB First Year Player Draft since 2005
- Highest MLB Draft pick in XU history (Seth Willoughby, 4th round)
- Six 30-win seasons (2019, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2009)
- Googins' Xavier teams recorded five of the 10 winningest seasons in school history
- XU school record 39 wins in 2009
- Produced XU's second Louisville Slugger All-American (Andre Jernigan, 2016)
- Produced XU's first Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American (Nate Soria, 2015)
// CAREER MILESTONES
- Feb. 16, 2006 – First Win – at East Tennessee State, 10-5
- May 1, 2009 – 100th Win – vs. Saint Joseph's, 9-6
- May 30, 2009 – First NCAA Tournament win – vs. Sam Houston State, 9-6
- Feb. 24, 2013 – 200th Win – at UAB, 12-4
- May 19, 2016 – 300th Win – vs. Villanova, 1-0
- May 31, 2019 – 400th Win – vs. Oregon State, 7-6
// YEAR-BY-YEAR HIGHLIGHTS
2022
The Bearcats ended the year at 24-31 overall, 12-12 in the AAC. Griffin Merritt was named the AAC Player of the Year, joining Ian Happ (2015) as the only two Cincinnati baseball players to win the award. Merritt was also named CoSIDA First Team All-American, ABCA/Rawlings First Team All-Region and AAC Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Five Bearcats took home All-AAC honors in total, tying the Bearcats record since joining the AAC. The Bearcats finished the year 35th in the nation with 87 homers and 27th in homers per game (1.58), both of which are top in the AAC. Their season came to a close in the AAC Tournament after falling to ECU and Tulane.
2021
Googins guided the Bearcats to their first winning season since 2011 in 2021. UC finished 29-26 and had five players named to the All-AAC First or Second Team. Evan Shawver was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of the 2021 MLB Draft and pitcher Garrett Schoenle was signed by the Chicago White Sox as a NDFA. The Bearcats had one of the best offenses in the conference in 2021, ranking in the top-3 in just about every offensive category. Their season came to a close in the AAC Tournament after falling to UCF and ECU.
2020
In a pandemic-shortened season, the Bearcats went 7-8 with an undefeated record at home.
2019
UC found itself as the No. 2 seed in the AAC Tournament where it was yet to win a game. The Bearcats trounced UConn, 22-5, to win the AAC Tournament title and advance to the NCAA postseason for the first time in 45 years. The Bearcats' win streak continued with a dramatic 7-6 victory over the national-host Oregon State. The magic came to an end with a loss the next day to eventual CWS runner-up Michigan. UC’s historic 2019 season came to a close with a 31-31 final tally. Six Bearcats earned All-AAC Tournament honors with AJ Bumpass being named the tournament MVP. Three players were named to the Corvallis Regional All-Tournament Team.
2018
In his first season at UC, the Bearcats had their best finish since 2011 with a 28-28 overall record and 12-12 in conference play, including road wins over No. 12 Indiana and No. 10 ECU. Three players earned AAC honors, the most ever for UC.
2017
Xavier finished the season at 34-27 after collecting a second-straight BIG EAST Championship and advancing to the Regional Finals for the second-straight year. Rylan Bannon was named the BIG EAST Player of the Year and the Musketeers featured six all-league selections.
2016
The Musketeers won 18 of their final 22 games to capture a BIG EAST regular season and tournament title. XU also made its second appearance in the NCAA Tournament in three years, winning a pair of games to reach the program's first-ever regional championship in Nashville, Tenn.
2014
Googins led Xavier to a fourth 30-win season in six years. The 2014 team closed the season with a remarkable postseason run, winning three-straight games to claim the program's first BIG EAST Championship. After falling to host-school Vanderbilt in the opening game, Xavier defeated Clemson for its second NCAA tournament win in school history.
2013
Googins led the Musketeers to a 32-26 finish. The season concluded with a 6-1 record in the final seven regular-season games and a return to the Atlantic 10 tournament. XU finished one game out of first place in the A-10 regular season standings with a 16-8 conference record, but earned a four seed in the conference tournament. The record in conference play marked the seventh-straight winning A-10 record for Googins.
Xavier and Googins made a strong run in the Atlantic 10 tournament by defeating George Washington and top-seeded Saint Louis in their first two games. Tough losses to Charlotte, the tournament's host, and Saint Louis in an elimination game closed out the Musketeers' final season in the A-10 with a 32-26 overall record and a third-place tournament finish.
2012
In 2012, Googins led the Musketeers to a 28-28 record overall and a 13-11 record in conference play. After strong non-conference wins at No. 4 North Carolina and two against Michigan, Googins and Xavier finished 2012 with a 10-5 record in their final 15 games and just missed making the Atlantic 10 Tournament for a sixth-straight year.
2011
Googins led the 2011 Musketeers to their fifth straight Atlantic 10 Tournament, fifth-straight 20-win season and second 30-win season in three years. The 2011 edition of the Musketeers boasted five players earning Atlantic 10 honors including conference Player of the Year, Ben Thomas. Thomas became Xavier's all-time leader in homeruns and was drafted by the San Francisco Giants.
2010
In 2010, XU saw six players honored by the Atlantic 10 and junior pitcher Tommy Shirley was drafted in the ninth round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Houston Astros.
2009
In 2009, the Musketeers tallied a program-best 39 wins and posted an overall winning percentage of .650 (39-21), third-best in the record books. In conference play, Xavier went 18-9, one win shy of tying the record for A-10 wins set in 2008. XU went 5-1 in the Atlantic 10 Championship to capture its first-ever tournament crown and earned the program's first appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Six Musketeers were named to the 2009 A-10 All-Tournament team, including Billy O'Conner who was named Tournament MVP. Four Musketeers earned mentioned on A-10 All-Conference teams following the regular season, including Jordan Conley who was the first XU player to ever make both the First Team (relief pitcher) and the Second Team (short stop) rosters.
Googins led the 2009 Musketeers to the school's first-ever NCAA Tournament win, a 9-6 victory over Sam Houston State, in the Houston Regional hosted by Rice. Bobby Freking earned a spot on the All-Regional team and following the season Ben Thomas earned mentioned on the ABCA All-Mideast Region Second Team.
In 2009 XU set school records for: at bats (2135), runs scored (445), hits (663), doubles (114), RBI (396), innings pitched (534.0), pitching strikeouts (446) and saves (14). Thomas tied the school record for home runs in a season with 16 and Conley eclipsed his own school record for saves in a season which was set in 2008 as he posted 13. Conley's two-year saves total of 23 set the new XU career saves mark as well.
Following the 2009 season, Danny Rosenbaum was selected in the 22nd round of Major League Baseball's First-Year Player draft by the Washington Nationals. Rosenbaum was the 652nd pick overall, making it the third consecutive year and fourth time since 2005 a Musketeer had been chosen in the draft. Two other Musketeers were picked up as free agents: Billy O'Conner and Jordan Conley.
2008
The Musketeers made it to the championship game of the Atlantic 10 Tournament in 2008 for the first time in school history after winning the team's second all-time A-10 regular season title. XU won a record-breaking 19 conference games and did not lose a single A-10 series.
Overall, the team finished with 27 wins after playing an extremely tough non-conference schedule that included eight games versus nationally ranked opponents, and posted a stellar 19-8 A-10 mark. For his outstanding leadership, Googins was named the 2008 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year. As a team, the Musketeers recorded new school records in hits (587), strikeouts (414) and tied the school record for saves with 12 in 2008. The team also tallied a program second-best mark in at bats (2050), doubles (109) and innings pitched (520.0).
Two Musketeers were drafted in 2008, including Charlie Leesman who was selected in the 11th round as the 330th pick by the Chicago White Sox, the second highest draft pick in school history. Additionally, Michael Lucas was signed as a free agent by the White Sox.
2007
In just his second season as the head coach, Googins guided his squad to the most conference wins in school history (17) at the time, while the team also set a new mark by sweeping four A-10 series in 2007. As a team, Xavier finished 29 wins overall and 17 in conference play. The 29 wins tied for the fifth most in school history and the team also won two games in the A-10 Championship, which was the most by any Musketeer squad in five trips. The trip to the A-10 Championship marked the first appearance for XU in four seasons.
After starting the 2007 campaign with a 4-18 record, Googins engineered one of the best turnarounds in school history as XU went 17-3 over the next 20 games. Additionally, the 2007 squad broke its previous school record in fielding percentage, marking two of the three best fielding percentages in school history over Googins' first two seasons. The Blue and White also finished the year tops in school history for at bats (2052), hits (561), saves (12) and innings pitched (523.0).
Not only did school records fall but Xavier tied a seven-year-old NCAA record for most hits in the second inning at Richmond as XU tallied 12 hits (all singles and doubles) to score 14 runs. The Musketeers followed that performance with a 23-run effort at Toledo, which ranked tied for third-most in school history.
The end to a great season saw Xavier senior Jordan Wolf become the fourth highest Musketeer to be drafted as he was taken by the Baltimore Orioles in the 13th round. For his efforts during the year, Wolf was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference Second Team.
2006
In his first season as skipper, Googins led the Musketeers to a 19 wins and a number of statistical milestones as XU recorded the program's second-best fielding percentage of all time at .964. The 2006 squad also produced high marks in hits (482), walks (227), total bases (660) and triples (nine).
2005
Googins was an XU assistant coach during a 2005 campaign which saw Xavier send its first player into the MLB Draft since 2001 and place one player on the Atlantic 10 All-Conference Second Team.