University of Houston Athletics
Veteran Pitching Coach Sean Kenny Joins Baseball Staff
6/16/2023 3:44:00 PM | Baseball
Power 5 veteran Kenny to serve as Houston baseball pitching coach
HOUSTON – A college baseball coaching veteran, Sean Kenny has been named as the University of Houston's pitching coach, head coach Todd Whitting announced Friday.
"I am thrilled to announce Sean Kenny as the pitching coach at the University of Houston," Whitting said. "His track record for developing pitchers and the success he has had in the SEC, ACC and Big Ten make him a huge asset to our program as we enter the Big 12 Conference."
Kenny's hiring is pending final approval from the University.
With 27 years of coaching experience, Kenny brings a wealth of knowledge to the Houston Baseball program. Kenny has spent the last 14 seasons with Power 5 programs and tutored 45 pitchers selected in the MLB Draft. A former New York Mets draft pick, Kenny spent the previous seven seasons as the pitching coach at the University of Georgia.
"I am very excited to be joining Coach Whitting and the rest of the University of Houston Baseball staff," Kenny said. "They have proven themselves as an outstanding program that wins on and off the field and I am excited to contribute to their success as they move to the Big 12 Conference."
With the Bulldogs, Kenny made a dramatic impact with the program, helping Georgia to three NCAA Tournaments, including two as a national seed and consistent Top 25 rankings, alongside several school records. He also mentored 12 Georgia pitchers who were selected in the MLB Draft over the last five years including junior left-hander Jaden Woods who is projected as a premium pick in the upcoming 2023 draft.
A native of Ann Arbor, Mich., Kenny followed head coach Erik Bakich to the University of Michigan after three seasons at the University of Maryland. With the Wolverines, Kenny tutored 10 pitchers selected in the MLB Draft while his staff consistently ranked at the top of the Big Ten Conference in multiple categories, helping the program to two NCAA postseason appearances.
"Sean Kenny is a perfect fit for the University of Houston and the excellent program that Coach Whitting has built over the last decade," Bakich said. "Sean has developed professional pitchers and winning teams from coast to coast. His success and experience in California, the Big Ten, the ACC and SEC are the exact combination to help Cougar Baseball and their pitching staff win championships in the Big 12 for years to come. Sean is also a dynamic recruiter and a great person who will add tremendous value to this high-energy coaching staff. Congratulations to him and Marissa, as well as Coach Whitting and the UH Baseball Team and pitchers!"
Bakich is now the head coach of the Clemson University baseball team.
Under the direction of Kenny, Maryland's pitching staff set school records while also ranking near the top of the ACC standings. With the Terrapins, he also served as the recruiting coordinator and produced a recruiting class in 2010 that was the program's first top-25 ranked recruiting class, while developing three MLB Draft picks.
Kenny spent six seasons as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Pepperdine under Steve Rodriguez. He helped guide the Waves to five NCAA Regional appearances and three West Coast Conference (WCC) titles. He coached the 2005 WCC Pitcher of the Year and the 2005 WCC Freshman of the Year in Barry Enright who went on to be named the 2006 WCC Pitcher of the Year and eventually reached the Major Leagues with Arizona in 2010. During his tenure with the Waves, 12 pitchers were selected in the MLB Draft.
Before heading to Pepperdine, Kenny worked at the University of San Diego where he served as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator on Rich Hill's staff from 1999-2003. He helped USD to West Coast Conference titles in 2002 and 2003 and recruited the nation's 22nd-best class for 2004. One of his standout players was 2002 WCC Pitcher of the Year and Third Team All-American Ricky Barrett. A total of 12 Toreros including three pitchers were selected in the MLB Draft during his stint at San Diego.
Kenny began his coaching career as Volunteer Assistant at Saint Mary's College in Moraga, Calif., in 1997, working with the outfielders. He landed his first full-time coaching position at Laney Community College in Oakland, Calif., where he served as pitching coach in 1998.
Kenny is a graduate of Eastern Michigan where he earned All-Mid-American Conference honors as a pitcher for the Eagles. He was a 17th-round selection of the New York Mets in the 1993 MLB Draft and played three seasons of professional baseball. He earned a bachelor's degree in literature from EMU in the fall of 1997 and a master's in physical education from Saint Mary's in 2000.
Kenny and his wife Marissa have one son, Ayden (22).
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"I am thrilled to announce Sean Kenny as the pitching coach at the University of Houston," Whitting said. "His track record for developing pitchers and the success he has had in the SEC, ACC and Big Ten make him a huge asset to our program as we enter the Big 12 Conference."
Kenny's hiring is pending final approval from the University.
With 27 years of coaching experience, Kenny brings a wealth of knowledge to the Houston Baseball program. Kenny has spent the last 14 seasons with Power 5 programs and tutored 45 pitchers selected in the MLB Draft. A former New York Mets draft pick, Kenny spent the previous seven seasons as the pitching coach at the University of Georgia.
"I am very excited to be joining Coach Whitting and the rest of the University of Houston Baseball staff," Kenny said. "They have proven themselves as an outstanding program that wins on and off the field and I am excited to contribute to their success as they move to the Big 12 Conference."
With the Bulldogs, Kenny made a dramatic impact with the program, helping Georgia to three NCAA Tournaments, including two as a national seed and consistent Top 25 rankings, alongside several school records. He also mentored 12 Georgia pitchers who were selected in the MLB Draft over the last five years including junior left-hander Jaden Woods who is projected as a premium pick in the upcoming 2023 draft.
A native of Ann Arbor, Mich., Kenny followed head coach Erik Bakich to the University of Michigan after three seasons at the University of Maryland. With the Wolverines, Kenny tutored 10 pitchers selected in the MLB Draft while his staff consistently ranked at the top of the Big Ten Conference in multiple categories, helping the program to two NCAA postseason appearances.
"Sean Kenny is a perfect fit for the University of Houston and the excellent program that Coach Whitting has built over the last decade," Bakich said. "Sean has developed professional pitchers and winning teams from coast to coast. His success and experience in California, the Big Ten, the ACC and SEC are the exact combination to help Cougar Baseball and their pitching staff win championships in the Big 12 for years to come. Sean is also a dynamic recruiter and a great person who will add tremendous value to this high-energy coaching staff. Congratulations to him and Marissa, as well as Coach Whitting and the UH Baseball Team and pitchers!"
Bakich is now the head coach of the Clemson University baseball team.
Under the direction of Kenny, Maryland's pitching staff set school records while also ranking near the top of the ACC standings. With the Terrapins, he also served as the recruiting coordinator and produced a recruiting class in 2010 that was the program's first top-25 ranked recruiting class, while developing three MLB Draft picks.
Kenny spent six seasons as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Pepperdine under Steve Rodriguez. He helped guide the Waves to five NCAA Regional appearances and three West Coast Conference (WCC) titles. He coached the 2005 WCC Pitcher of the Year and the 2005 WCC Freshman of the Year in Barry Enright who went on to be named the 2006 WCC Pitcher of the Year and eventually reached the Major Leagues with Arizona in 2010. During his tenure with the Waves, 12 pitchers were selected in the MLB Draft.
Before heading to Pepperdine, Kenny worked at the University of San Diego where he served as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator on Rich Hill's staff from 1999-2003. He helped USD to West Coast Conference titles in 2002 and 2003 and recruited the nation's 22nd-best class for 2004. One of his standout players was 2002 WCC Pitcher of the Year and Third Team All-American Ricky Barrett. A total of 12 Toreros including three pitchers were selected in the MLB Draft during his stint at San Diego.
Kenny began his coaching career as Volunteer Assistant at Saint Mary's College in Moraga, Calif., in 1997, working with the outfielders. He landed his first full-time coaching position at Laney Community College in Oakland, Calif., where he served as pitching coach in 1998.
Kenny is a graduate of Eastern Michigan where he earned All-Mid-American Conference honors as a pitcher for the Eagles. He was a 17th-round selection of the New York Mets in the 1993 MLB Draft and played three seasons of professional baseball. He earned a bachelor's degree in literature from EMU in the fall of 1997 and a master's in physical education from Saint Mary's in 2000.
Kenny and his wife Marissa have one son, Ayden (22).
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN THE DUGOUT CLUB
Fans are invited to join The Dugout Club to directly support Houston Baseball. Members provide financial support directly to Houston Baseball for needs beyond operating budget. For more information about the Dugout Club, text UHBASEBALL to 71777, call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684) or click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following UHCougarBB on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Baseball. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarbb.
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