Online Hitting Academy Rod Delmonico Bio

Rod Delmonico is entering his 12th season as head coach of Tennessee Volunteers. As the ringleader for the baseball program, Delmonico has guided the Vols to never-before-seen successes both on and off the field. Not only did he become the winningest Tennessee baseball coach in 2000, but he guided the Vols to their seventh 40-win season, a feat that had never been accomplished prior to his arrival.

With an 11-year career record of 444-230 and a winning percentage of .659, he has placed himself among the nations top coaches. In his 19 years of coaching at the top level in college baseball, Delmonico has been part of teams that have participated in four College World Series, made 11 NCAA regional appearances, won 10 conference or division titles and posted nine conference tournament championships. With those accomplishments dotting his resume, its no wonder that his teams are perennial contenders for conference titles as well as being players on the national scene.

Under Delmonicos reign at Tennessee, the Vols have posted seven 40-win seasons and two 50-win campaigns. His teams have won an average of 40 games per year, while garnering two Southeastern Conference titles, a trip to the College World Series, five NCAA regional trips (three regional finals), four SEC Eastern Division crowns and three SEC Eastern Division Tournament championships. In addition, he was named Baseball Americas 1995 National Coach of the Year and the SEC Coach of the Year in 1994 and 1995.

He has seen 46 Vols selected in the major league draft, including two first-round picks in 1995 and 1996, and a total of 62 players sign professional baseball contracts. In fact, over the last 19 years he has coached or signed 25 players who went to play in major leagues, including the likes of Todd Helton, Jimmy Key, Luis Alicea and Paul Sorrento. He has coached 15 of UTs 22 All-Americas, including two three-time selections and 1995 National Player of the Year Todd Helton. In addition, 29 All-Southeastern Conference players, including two SEC Players of the Year in Helton and Jeff Pickler, the 1995 and 1998 coaches' selections, respectively, have come under his watch.

After finishing at .500 in 1999, Delmonico guided his team to its seventh 40-win season in 2000. Along the way, he became the winningest coach in Tennessee history, garnering his 409th career victory Feb. 8 at Hawai'i-Hilo. He broke the mark of long-time Tennessee coach Bill Wright.

Delmonico's formula for success between the lines has been based on solid pitching and defense, along with a no-holds-barred offense. His fleet-footed teams have led the nation in stolen bases on two occasions. First, in 1991 with 174 and then the 2000 squad established an SEC record with 215 stolen bases.

Testament to his focus on defense is the fact that the Vols led the nation in fielding in 1993 and 1994 with .975 and .977 fielding percentages, respectively. The 1994 team also turned an NCAA-leading 93 double plays. His teams have also led the SEC in fielding percentage on four occasions, while ranking in the top three seven times.

As the top assistant at Florida State from 1984-1989, the Seminoles compiled a record of 334-119-1, finishing in the top 15 nationally each year. They played in three College World Series and had 21 players drafted by major league teams while producing nine All-Americas. Delmonico, specifically designated head recruiter by Seminole head coach Mike Martin, rounded up freshman classes that were ranked in the top 10 nationally each year. His 1984 group was rated the best, and both the 1986 and 1987 recruits were ranked No. 2. In 1988, he was tabbed as the nation's third-best recruiter by Collegiate Baseball.

On-the-field coaching responsibilities for him at Florida State included working with the outfielders and first basemen in addition to serving as the baserunning coach. FSU led the nation in stolen bases twice during his tenure. He also oversaw travel and had other administrative duties.

Before moving to Florida State, Delmonico gained experience as a graduate assistant coach at Clemson from 1981-1983 under legendary coach Bill Wilhelm and as an assistant at Gloucester County College in Sewell, N.J.

Delmonico graduated from Liberty University in 1980 with a bachelors degree in physical education, where he lettered in baseball and soccer. He holds a masters degree from Clemson University in education administration.

Coaching Experience: Assistant Coach at Glouster County College 1980; Graduate Assistant Coach at Clemson 1981-83; Assistant Coach at Florida State 1984-89; Head Coach at Tennessee 1990-Present

Coaching Honors: 1993 Tennessee Baseball Coach of the Year; 1994 Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year; 1995 Tennessee Baseball Coach of the Year; 1995 American Baseball Coaches Association South Region Coach of the Year; 1995 Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year; 1995 Baseball America National Coach of the Year

He has also penned four books, Hit and Run Baseball, Offensive Drills, Defensive Baseball and Defensive Drills, and produced a video tape entitled, Aggressive Baserunning. In addition, he has been a contributing writer to numerous national coaching periodicals, including Scholastic Coach and Collegiate Baseball. He is also a sought-after lecturer and speaker at various national baseball clinics and national companies. He has also made trips to Italy, Germany and Austria to teach the game of baseball.

A native of Wilmington, N.C., Delmonico graduated from New Hanover High School in 1976. He is married to the former Barbara Vanaman of Williamstown, N.J. They have three sons, Tony, Joey and Nicky.