Rardin Named CUSA Keith LeClair Coach of the Year

DALLAS – WKU Baseball Head Coach Marc Rardin was named Conference USA's Keith LeClair Coach of the Year, the league announced Tuesday afternoon.

Votes were compiled from the head coaches of the 10 CUSA teams, respectively.

In just his third season at the helm on The Hill, Rardin becomes the seventh Conference Coach of the Year in program history, the first CUSA Coach of the Year in program history and the first in 16 years.

All-Time WKU Baseball Conference Coaches of the Year
1978 Ohio Valley Conference: Barry Schollenberger
1980 Ohio Valley Conference: Joel Murrie
1981 Ohio Valley Conference: Joel Murrie
1985: Sun Belt Conference: Joel Murrie
2002: Sun Belt Conference: Joel Murrie
2009: Sun Belt Conference: Chris Finwood
2025 Conference USA: Marc Rardin

Rardin has raised the bar every season as the head coach of the Hilltoppers. After back-to-back 30-win seasons in 2023-24 for the first time 12 years, WKU finished the 2025 regular season 30 games over .500 for the first time in 45 years with a 42-12 overall record – the winningest regular season in program history. The Hilltoppers' regular season performance slotted them as the #2 seed heading into the CUSA Championship – the highest seed WKU has had since joining the league in 2015.

Of the 42 wins, 30 came at Nick Denes Field – the most home wins in a season in program history. The Tops were hard to beat at home, only dropping three games at The Nick the entire season. WKU's 30-3 home record was the best of any Division I college baseball team. The Hilltoppers began the season 23-0 at home – the longest home winning streak in the country.

WKU started the season winning 20 of its first 21 games – the best start in program and CUSA history. The Tops won 15 consecutive games during that stretch, which is good for the second-longest winning streak in program history.

The Hilltoppers were recognized in multiple national polls following the series win at #17 Dallas Baptist. This marked the first national ranking for WKU since 2010. The Tops climbed as high as #17 in the Baseball America Poll – the highest ranking in program history by a national media outlet. This ranking came after the Hilltoppers earned a series win over rival Middle Tennessee.

WKU leads CUSA with a .316 batting average and a 3.28 ERA. The Hilltopper pitching staff has been one of the best in the country, as they hold the second-best ERA in the nation behind Northeastern. The Tops and the Huskies are the only two Division I teams with a sub 3.30 ERA.

Rardin earned his 100th career win at WKU in just his third season following the series sweep at Liberty. He's the second-fastest coach to 100 wins at WKU behind Joel Murrie (1980-2005).

Rardin and the Hilltoppers hit the field for practice at Liberty Baseball Stadium on Tuesday afternoon in preparation for the 2025 CUSA Championship. #2 WKU faces #7 New Mexico State in the first round on Wednesday, May 21. First pitch is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. CT.

How to follow WKU Baseball: For complete information on WKU Hilltopper Baseball, visit WKUSports.com or follow the program via social media @WKU_Baseball on X and @WKUBaseball on Instagram.

Related Videos