After producing one of the most exciting seasons of Cal baseball in decades, David Esquer was named coach of the year by the National Collegiate Baseball Writer's Association (see link for video from the press conference). To pile on the good news, Sandy Barbour said a contract extension is likely for Esquer.
Early Tuesday morning, before the sun was even up on the West Coast, the self-described "kid from Salinas," was named the NCBWA Coach of the Year.
"I'm very humbled to be sitting up here," Esquer said. "I want to thank my staff, without whom any coach - in particular, me - is nothing, and my wife, as well. If anyone, college baseball coaches have to sacrifice a lot. Many times, I will tease my players that I spend more time with other peoples' kids than I do my kids, and a lot of that has to do with the strength of my family at home, and in particular, my wife."
Esquer's wife Lynn smiled in the back of the room, along with Athletic Director Sandy Barbour as Esquer accepted the honor. Afterwards, Barbour said, there is a very good chance that a contract extension could be in the near future for Esquer, who's contract is up at the end of the season.
"We agreed that it would be when the season is over," Barbour said of the talks. "We're thrilled that we haven't had to talk about it yet.
"It's just fantastic. I don't think there's anyone that deserves it more. I'm personally thrilled for him and thrilled for what it means for the program, and the University. He's represented us so well, and this is just the icing on the cake."
After the jump the Bears defeat Texas A&M to stay alive in the CWS, women's lacrosse gets a promising new head coach, and Ted Miller reviews the Pac-12 quarterbacks.
Baseball
- As they have done all season, the Bears would not go down without a fight. Result: Cal defeated Texas A&M to avoid elimination in the College World Series.
- BearTerritory recaps the win, including quotes from the post-game press conference.
Football
- Ted Miller reviews the state of Pac-12 quarterbacks. Zach Maynard and Cal are in "we'll see" mode.
Basketball
- After suffering a concussion and broken nose at the US Under-19 tryouts, Crabbe is recovering at home. He should be recovered and available for Cal's trip to Europe in August and the start of practice in October.
- Ginger Miles was named as the team's new head coach. Miles previously coached at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, where she led the team to two conference titles, two second-round appearances in the NCAA tournament, and a 16-3 record over two years.