Brock Huntzinger Named Michigan Pitching Coach
7/14/2022 4:28:00 PM | Baseball
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ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan baseball head coach Tracy Smith announced on Thursday (July 14) that Brock Huntzinger has joined the staff as the program's pitching coach.
"Brock has a phenomenal approach to the game of baseball, and we are fortunate to get him here to Michigan," said Smith. "Brock's pitching acumen is surpassed only by his ability to connect with individuals of all backgrounds and personalities."
Huntzinger most recently served as the pitching coach at Boise State following 10 seasons in professional baseball. He has also logged additional time in the collegiate ranks at Indiana University and Arizona State.
"I am incredibly honored to come to Michigan in this role," said Huntzinger. "It feels like I am coming back home. I am confident in my ability to leverage some of my experiences in order to positively impact a talented group of student-athletes at this great university."
A native of Pendleton, Ind., Huntzinger was drafted out of Pendleton Heights High School by the Boston Red Sox in the third round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft. He spent seven seasons with the organization, reaching Triple-A Pawtucket, where he played for two seasons. The righty earned All-Star status in both the New York-Penn League (2008) and the Carolina League (2010).
Over his next three seasons, Huntzinger earned time with the Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles and Oakland Athletics organizations. He earned the Norfolk Tide ERA Award in 2014, given to the reliever with the lowest earned-run average on the staff and played the entire 2015 season with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds.
During his professional playing career, Huntzinger remained close with Smith, the head coach at Indiana at the time and who had previously recruited Huntzinger to Bloomington. Following Huntzinger's playing career, the two reunited at Arizona State, where Huntzinger coached while earning an undergraduate degree in organizational leadership and graduating with honors.
Huntzinger and his wife, Cait, are parents to three children, daughters Hudson and Parker, and a son, Wells.
What They're Saying About Brock Huntzinger:
"Brock is a great person, husband, and father with a unique ability to connect with players of all ages. This will serve him well with the current pitching staff as well as in recruiting. With his experience as both a pro player and college coach, he is the right guy to lead the Michigan pitching staff into the future."
-- Chris Fetter, Detroit Tigers pitching coach
"Brock is a tremendous hire for Coach Smith and his program. He has had success at every level of baseball. His knowledge of pitching is very strong and his relationship with the players is his strongest asset. The Michigan pitching staff will be in very good hands."
-- Chris Lemonis, Mississippi State head coach
"Brock will bring the ingredients required to continue growing the Wolverine program. His pitching intellect, combined with his character, will tremendously impact the careers of his student-athletes. Brock will be driven daily to develop and grow the futures of all pitchers under his watch. Professional baseball will continue to be able to shop in Ann Arbor with Brock at the helm."
-- Mike Shirley, Chicago White Sox scouting director
