TAT: Countdown to Diamond Hogs: Coaching Staff

This article originally appeared in the February 5, 2013 issue of The Arkansas Traveler.

When most fans go to baseball games, they rarely notice the coaches, unless they get into an argument with an umpire.

However, Arkansas’ coaching staff this year will be one of their strengths, as the six coaches combine to have 18 College World Series appearances.

Todd Butler

During 15 seasons as an assistant coach in the SEC, associate head coach Todd Butler has been a part of five College World Series teams.

Butler serves as the hitting instructor, outfield coach and recruiting coordinator for the Razorbacks. In seven seasons at Arkansas, he has helped bring in five top-10 recruiting classes.

He was instrumental in bringing in players such as highly-touted freshman pitcher Trey Killian from Mountain Home, Ark., and junior Dominic Ficociello, who was drafted in the 23rd round out of Fullerton (Calif.) Union High in 2010.

As a hitting instructor, Butler developed Zack Cox, Matt Reynolds, Brett Eibner and Andy Wilkins into top five round draft picks.

You can expect Ficociello to continue to improve under Butler’s instruction, after hitting .301 in SEC play last season.

Dave Jorn

Arkansas’ pitching staff has flourished under UA assistant coach Dave Jorn.

In his 16 seasons with the Razorbacks, he has five College World Series appearances. He is entering his 11th consecutive season at Arkansas after a 14-year stint as a minor league coach with the Mets, Yankees and Diamondbacks.

Jorn will be vital for Arkansas this season after having two pitchers, D.J. Baxendale and Nolan Sanburn, sign with professional teams.

Despite these losses, the Razorbacks still have preseason All-American juniors Ryne Stanek and Colby Suggs. They also have Killian, junior Barrett Astin and senior Randall Fant.

Astin will begin the season in the starting rotation, while Jorn develops Killian. Jorn must decide when and if Killian becomes ready for a starting role and when to move Astin back into the bullpen. He will also have to manage when to bring in Suggs, junior Brandon Moore and senior Cade Lynch out of the bullpen.

Arkansas’ 2.83 ERA was the fifth lowest in the country last season and many experts predict a similar season this year.

Former Players, Now Assistants

Three recent former Razorbacks will also assist Van Horn this season.

Clay Goodwin, the director of baseball operations, is in his sixth season as a member of the coaching staff. He was a third baseman for Arkansas’ 2004 College World Series team and helps with hitting and the infielders.

In just his third year as a coach with the Razorbacks, Brian Walker is a volunteer assistant coach who primarily helps the catchers. As a Razorback, Walker only committed five errors in 145 starts at catcher.

The last two seasons he has coached James McCann, who was a second-round draft pick and a semifinalist for the Johnny Bench Award given to the top catcher in college baseball, and junior Jake Wise, who committed no errors last season.

Jacob Julius is in his first season as a student assistant coach for Arkansas. In his only season with the Razorbacks, he hit .309 and five home runs before being drafted in the 33rd round. He will tutor the outfielders, including junior Jacob Morris and senior Matt Vinson, who are already excellent defensive players.