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UPDATE #3: Introductory presser
UPDATE #2: I'd say it's pretty much official.
OU sends out release it will be introducing its new baseball coach at 3:30 p.m. today
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) June 27, 2013
UPDATE:
Just had the hiring of Pete Hughes confirmed by an OU source. An official announcement is expected later today.
— John Shinn (@john_shinn) June 27, 2013
According to multiple reports Thursday morning, Joe Castiglione has reportedly found his man as the replacement for Sunny Golloway. Virginia Tech head coach Pete Hughes is expected to accept the same position at the University of Oklahoma. Virginia Tech has scheduled a 3:30 p.m. press conference for Thursday regarding the baseball program which is a pretty good indicator these reports are legitimate.
Hughes led the Hokies to a 40-22 record this past season as well as earning the right to host a regional in the NCAA Tournament. Ironically enough, it was Oklahoma who eliminated Hughes and Va Tech with a 10-4 victory in the regional final.
Here is some more background on Hughes via the official Virginia Tech site.
Through six seasons at Tech, Hughes has amassed a 182-152 record, which is third all-time at the school behind Hartman (961, 28 seasons) and G.F. "Red" Laird (343, 30). He is closing in on career win number 500, entering the 2013 season with a 484-363-2 all-time mark in 16 seasons.
Before arriving at Tech, Hughes, 43, spent the previous eight seasons as the head coach at Boston College, where he compiled a 250-181-2 record. He also was the head coach at Trinity University in Texas for two seasons (1997-98), guiding the Tigers to a 52-30 mark.
Prior to Hughes' arrival, Boston College averaged 13 wins a season over 35 years. During their eight seasons under Hughes, the Eagles averaged 31 wins per year. In 2005, he led BC to a school record 37 wins and his squad was named the Division I New England Baseball Team of the Year.
Sixty-one players who were coached or recruited by Hughes at Boston College or Virginia Tech have been drafted or signed pro contracts, and four have received All-American honors. Pitcher Chris Lambert was selected in the first round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2004, becoming the first-ever Boston College player to be selected in the opening round. He made his major-league debut with Detroit in 2008.
It's an interesting hire and certainly not one of the initial names that many had mentioned. Early indications are that Hughes was very well liked during his time in Blacksburg and that his style of coaching couldn't be more different than his predecessor.
We're obviously still awaiting word from OU to make this official so continue to check back for that and any further developments as we'll update you as they happen.