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Andy Stankiewicz Named USC Baseball Head Coach

Erik-McKinneyby: Erik McKinney07/03/22ErikTMcKinney
PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 5: Andy Stankiewicz Grand Canyon Head Coach gets ready for a baseball game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Grand Canyon Lopes on April 5, 2022, at GCU Ballpark, AZ. (Photo by Zac BonDurant/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Andy Stankiewicz (Photo by Zac BonDurant/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The legendary USC baseball program has a new leader. Former Major League Baseball player and Grand Canyon head coach Andy Stankiewicz will take over a Trojan program in desperate need of a lift.

“I am thrilled to be the next head coach of the most prestigious baseball program in the country, the University of Southern California,” Stankiewicz said in a statement from the school. “Our program will be one that represents the Trojan Family well and makes our alumni proud. Fight On!”

“We are excited to welcome Andy Stankiewicz to the Trojan Family as our new baseball head coach,” USC Athletic Director Mike Bohn said in the same statement. “A former MLB player and talented coach, Andy has a proven record of success in building a winning program. Playing seven seasons in the MLB, he understands what it takes to compete at the highest level. Andy’s leadership, relationship-building abilities, and player development make him a terrific fit to lead our program.”

Stankiewicz comes to USC after 11 seasons at Grand Canyon University. There, he won five regular-season WAC championships and was named conference Coach of the Year on four occasions.

Grand Canyon went 41-21 this past season. It posted wins against ranked opponents in Arizona, Oregon State, Texas Tech and Stanford.

Stankiewicz is noted for his player development and guided Grand Canyon through the transition from Division II to Division I. The rebuilding process at USC might be just as drastic. This is a program that has twice as many baseball national championships as any other program. But USC finished last in the Pac-12 this season and has not been to the college world series in 20 years.

In 2006, Chad Krueter became just the fifth different USC baseball head coach since 1924. Stankiewicz is now the fifth different baseball coach since 2006, including Krueter.

This is a return home for Stankiewicz, who was born in Inglewood, prepped at St. Paul High school and played collegiately at Pepperdine.

 

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

Garry Paskwietz