For the second time in three days, Kentucky Coach Nick Mingione has been honored as National Coach of the Year, this time by the National College Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA). The announcement, made on the eve of the school’s first Men’s College World Series appearance, marks the second time in his eight seasons as head coach that Mingione has earned this prestigious award.
Consistent Excellence
Mingione first won both SEC and National Coach of the Year honors in 2017. He was also named SEC Coach of the Year last month and 2024 Perfect Game National Coach of the Year earlier this week. His recognition is a testament to his ability to lead and inspire his team to new heights.
Historic Achievements
Under Mingione’s guidance, a Kentucky squad initially voted near the bottom of the SEC Eastern Division achieved a remarkable turnaround. The Wildcats won a conference championship, only the second in school history, and secured their first NCAA College World Series berth, ending a wait of over 100 years. Mingione’s leadership has been pivotal, drawing from his experience as an assistant coach on the 2006 team that also won the SEC title.
Record-Breaking Season
Kentucky had an outstanding 2024 regular season, breaking multiple school and SEC records. The Wildcats set a school record with 22 SEC victories and 11 SEC road victories. They also became the first team in 32 years to start the league slate 9-1 for two consecutive seasons. Additionally, UK’s 15-1 start to conference play was the best in school history.
Postseason Success
The Wildcats continued their impressive performance in the postseason, hosting their first Super Regional as the No. 2 overall seed. They have a perfect 5-0 record in the NCAA Tournament and are set to open play in the College World Series on Saturday afternoon against NC State. With 45 total wins, they have tied the school record set in 2012.
Statistical Dominance
Kentucky’s rise in SEC play can be attributed to their statistical surge in conference games. The Wildcats led the league in SEC-only batting average, ranked third in SEC-only fielding percentage, and fifth in SEC-only ERA. They were the only team, along with Texas A&M, to be top-five in all three major categories in conference competition this season. The Cats also led the league in on-base percentage (OBP), runs scored, hits, RBI, doubles, sac bunts, sac flies, and stolen bases.
Individual Standouts
Several players had standout seasons under Mingione’s leadership. Ryan Waldschmidt led the league in doubles and stolen bases in SEC play and was also top-five in batting average, on-base percentage, runs scored, and hits. Ryan Nicholson provided significant power for the Wildcats, ranking in the top-five for slugging percentage, home runs, and RBI in SEC play.
