Robbins tabbed as ABCA/Diamond NAIA Coach of the Year
Zachary Shore, LCSC
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Along with his second national title in two seasons, Lewis-Clark State baseball Head Coach Jeremiah Robbins was honored on Friday as the 2016 ABCA/Diamond National Coach of the Year award for the NAIA.
“It’s truly an honor to be recognized by such a storied organization as the ABCA,” said Robbins on receiving his second award in as many years. “They’ve been around since 1945 and for our organization, Lewis-Clark State College, to be honored by them is something we should all be proud of. This was a team effort and I’m humbled to represent our program for this award.”
Robbins, who was also named NAIA-Baseball Coaches Association National Coach of the Year last week, led the Warriors to their 18th NAIA National Championship and first back-to-back titles since LCSC did so from 2006-08. The Warriors claimed the crown in thrilling fashion, belting six home runs and ending the game on a perfect relay to third, defeating Faulkner (Ala.) 12-11.
“It’s a reward for a lot of people putting in a lot of work to make us successful,” said Robbins. “Winning the national championship was great, but it took a lot of effort from our assistant coaches, the support staff at LCSC and the players. Our team came together at the right time and this award is more a reflection of what they have done this season.”
In four seasons as the LC skipper, Robbins has led the Warriors to four World Series title games and amassed a record of 190-44 including a 52-8 mark in 2016. He led the Warriors to their first ever NAIA West tournament championship in the programs first appearance at the event while going 30-5 in league play. LCSC also topped the postseason coaches' poll as a unanimous No. 1 selection.
Under Robbins' leadership, the Warriors led the NAIA in total doubles (171) and doubles per game (2.85) while also ranking second in fielding percentage (.975) and fourth in earned run average (2.80). Jacob Zanon led the nation in runs scored per game (1.429) with J.J. Robinson and Quin Grogan ranking third in runs batted in (82) and opponent batting average (.175), respectively.
Robinson (second-team) and Zanon (honorable mention) also took home NAIA All-American honors with the former being the fifth Warrior under Robbins to garner either first- or second-team distinction.
Robbins also added to his list of draftees as four players, Jake Barnett, Noel Gonzalez, Quin Grogan and Zanon were each selected in the MLB First Year Player Draft, bringing the four-year total of the Warriors head coach to 10.
Robbins also earned the 2016 Regional Coach of the Year honors for the third consecutive season. Robbins will join 10 other honorees at the ABCA/Diamond Hall of Fame/Coach of the Year Banquet at the 73rd annual ABCA Convention in Anaheim, Calif.
To read the ABCA release and see the complete list of recipients, click
here.