Mitch Gaspard has resigned as Alabama’s head baseball coach after seven seasons.
The Crimson Tide went 234-193 in Gaspard’s tenure, but missed the NCAA Tournament in three of those seasons.
He took over for Jim Wells prior to the 2010 season and Alabama reached the Super Regional round, but had not reached that point since then. Alabama also made NCAA regionals in 2011, 2013 and 2014.
Alabama was not selected as an at-large to this year’s tournament despite going 15-15 in SEC play.
“Mitch and I met last Friday to discuss how the season has gone and possibilities for postseason play,” Alabama athletics director Bill Battle said in a statement. “At that time, he expressed to me his wishes to resign as baseball coach.
“While that conversation was supposed to serve as a prelude to our annual postseason discussion on the state of the program, I accepted his resignation only on the basis that it would not officially be in effect until our season had formally concluded. It’s clear to me that Mitch had made up his mind, and I respect his wishes.”
Gaspard was a key assistant for Alabama during its three trips to the College World Series in 1996, 1997 and 1999. He took the head coaching position at Northwestern State in Louisiana before the 2002 season and returned to Tuscaloosa as an assistant before the 2008 season.
“Last Friday afternoon, I notified our Director of Athletics, Bill Battle, of my intention to resign as head baseball coach at The University of Alabama at the conclusion of this season,” Gaspard said. “It’s a decision that has not been an easy one, but something that I have been considering for a while now.
“We have consistently fielded a competitive program in the nation’s finest conference throughout our seven seasons at Alabama, but I feel this is the right time to make a change – not only for me, but for the program as a whole. I think a good foundation has been set for whoever takes over the program. And, with our new stadium, the chance to recruit at a high level is definitely there.
“I am thankful to so many people who made the opportunities that I have had possible. My family has been so incredibly devoted to me and my career, and I am looking forward to being able to spend more quality time with my wife and daughters as we embark on the next chapter of our life together.
“One of the special things about sports is the family bond you can develop over the course of your career. That has definitely been the case in my life, and will continue to be so. To our Alabama baseball family – our players and their families; our coaches and their families; and to all our fans and boosters who faithfully support the Crimson Tide, I want to express my undying gratitude for the privilege of leading your program.”
His final game was a 5-4 loss to Florida last Thursday at the SEC Tournament.
A letter to Alabama baseball fans from @MitchGaspard #RollTide pic.twitter.com/HrVgidOGvi
— Alabama Baseball (@AlabamaBSB) May 30, 2016
