COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association
honored Tennessee Tech baseball coach Matt Bragga as Coach of the
Year over the weekend at the annual TBCA awards luncheon.
"I am absolutely honored by this award," Bragga said. "It's one of
those things that shows our program continues to make huge
strides."
In his sixth season as coach of the Golden Eagles, Bragga led Tech
to its sixth ever Ohio Valley Conference championship, a 31-24-1
record and Tech's third ever trip to the NCAA regional tournament,
where the Golden Eagles eliminated No. 14 Alabama.
It was the fifth 30-plus win season in Golden Eagle history, and
the first time it had been done in back-to-back seasons. Tech had
two players named to the all-OVC team, and had six members of the
OVC all-tournament squad after going a perfect 4-0 in the OVC
tournament to claim the crown.
After the season Tech's A.J. Kirby-Jones, who was the OVC
tournament MVP, was named an All-American honorable mention, and
Golden Eagle pitcher Ryan Dennick was drafted by the Kansas City
Royals. But Bragga led his team to success off the diamond as well.
The Golden Eagles held the highest team GPA in program history for
the second consecutive year, had 19 players named to the Athletic
Director's Honor Roll, and five players named to the OVC
Commissioner's Honor Roll.
"If it wasn't for the players, this honor wouldn't happen," Bragga
said. "The guys we have are outstanding young men on and off the
field. You have to have the right players and the right pieces all
around you in order to win an individual award."
The award is the first Coach of the Year award for Bragga, and is
fitting giving the path Bragga has taken to rebuild Tech's baseball
program. Bragga increased Tech's wins each year from 2005-08 before
winning his first OVC championship in 2009.
"I am thankful for those who nominated me and those who recognized
me for this award, including Cookeville High School coach Butch
Chaffin."
The Golden Eagles prepare to defend their title as the 2010 season
begins Feb. 19 with a three-game series at Georgia Southern. Tech
opens play at home on Feb. 26 with three games against Cleveland
State.
June 28, 2010
Building a Tradition of Excellence
June 20, 2010
A.J. and Chad: Tech's Outstanding Male Athletes for 2010
June 18, 2010
Golden Eagle sluggers earn a couple more
June 4, 2010
Tech's David Mays inducted into OVC Hall of Fame
May 17, 2010
Oberacker owns the votes for OVC Player of the Week
May 16, 2010
Skyhawks snap Techs win streak in series finale
May 6, 2010
Golden Eagles and Govs face off at Tech
May 1, 2010
Entire series washed out at Eastern Kentucky
April 28, 2010
Golden Eagles eye sweep of ETSU on the road Wednesday night
April 25, 2010
Five home runs lift Tech to OVC sweep, third place in OVC
April 24, 2010
Tech vs. Morehead Series Delayed Due to Rain
April 23, 2010
Start time moves up to 11 a.m. against Morehead State
April 20, 2010
MTSU snaps Techs five-game winning streak, 11-5
April 13, 2010
Golden Eagles complete season sweep over Belmont, 15-3
April 10, 2010
Golden Eagles drop pair of tight OVC contests at SEMO
April 7, 2010
Oberacker slams Tech to 12-8 victory over Lipscomb
April 6, 2010
Patience and power pay off as Tech tops Lipscomb, 15-14
March 27, 2010
Golden Eagles felled twice by SIUE Cougars Saturday
March 20, 2010
Memphis wins 6-1 over Tennessee Tech
March 16, 2010
Golden Eagle baseball team faces two in-state foes
March 14, 2010
Tech tops Buffalo in series finale
March 13, 2010
Golden Eagles split Saturday double-header with Buffalo
March 10, 2010
Golden Eagles snap skid with 14-13 win over South Alabama
March 9, 2010
Golden Eagles visit South Alabama for a pair
March 3, 2010
Early Vandy lead holds up, Tech falls 10-1 to Commodores
March 2, 2010
Golden Eagles visit No. 30 Vanderbilt
February 28, 2010
Golden Eagles clinch series with dominating win over Cleveland State
February 27, 2010
Seventh inning rally leads Tech to 10-8 victory
February 26, 2010
Tech pitchers fan 16 but fall 7-2 in home opener
February 26, 2010
Tech's A.J. Kirby-Jones featured on PingBaseball.com
February 25, 2010
Schedule changes announced for Saturday's action
February 24, 2010
Tech set for home opener against Cleveland State
February 20, 2010
Georgia Southern out-lasts Golden Eagles
February 19, 2010
Golden Eagles win season opener at Georgia Southern
February 18, 2010
Outstanding TTU Alumni include two athletes, one supporter
February 17, 2010
Golden Eagles begin championship defense this weekend
February 4, 2010
Golden Eagle baseball camp canceled Saturday
January 22, 2010
Long-time TTU supporter Howell Bush passes away at age 94
January 19, 2010
Tech's Bragga honored as TBCA Coach of the Year
January 18, 2010
Baseball team to face new and traditional rivals, 24 OVC games
December 17, 2009
Former Golden Eagle pitcher Erik Sabel coaching at Visalia