Richmond Hires OVC Coach of the Year Mik Aoki to Head Spider Baseball
06/22/2023 | Baseball
RICHMOND, Va. — Mik Aoki has been named the new head coach of Spider Baseball, Richmond Athletics announced Thursday. Aoki brings 22 seasons of head coaching experience to UR, with stints at Morehead State, Notre Dame, Boston College, and Columbia. He is the reigning Ohio Valley Conference coach of the year after leading Morehead State to the outright 2023 OVC regular-season title, the first for the program in more than 40 years.
"We are excited to have a coach of Mik's high caliber joining the Spiders," said Vice President and Director of Athletics John Hardt. "He has proven that he can win at the highest levels of collegiate baseball, and he's done it at institutions that prioritize both academic and competitive excellence. He sees the tremendous potential of Spider Baseball, and all of Richmond Athletics is committed to supporting him in building a championship program."
"I am thrilled, humbled and grateful for the opportunity to lead the University of Richmond Baseball program," said Aoki. "The University's academic reputation speaks for itself. What I found as I learned more about Spider Athletics is its commitment to develop the person, the student, and the athlete at the very highest level. I am absolutely thrilled by the opportunity to be a part of that.
"I would be remiss if I did not thank my players, my staff, Dr. Jaime Gordon and Dr. Jay Morgan for giving me the opportunity at Morehead State University. It is a difficult place to leave and the relationships I have made there will be a part of me forever.
"If there is one thing that drew me to Richmond, apart from the opportunity to lead young men through such a transformational part of their lives, it is the alignment that I saw and felt in the commitment of the University to the baseball program. I could tell that there is a deep desire, and most importantly a commitment, to see Spider Baseball become synonymous with baseball excellence in the Atlantic 10, regionally and nationally."
Aoki (A-Oh-key) comes to Richmond from Morehead State, where last season he guided the Eagles to a 36-20 record and the outright Ohio Valley Conference regular title, the first for the program since 1979. Morehead State's 36 wins in 2023 were tied for fourth-most in school history and marked the third straight year the Eagles increased their win total from the previous season.
Aoki's longest head coaching stint came at Notre Dame from 2010-19, when he oversaw the program's transition from the Big East to the Atlantic Coast Conference. In their final Big East season in 2013, Aoki guided Notre Dame to a 34-24 record and a runner-up finish in the Big East Tournament. In the program's second ACC season in 2015, the Irish finished 37-23 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006.
Aoki spent seven seasons at Boston College, leading BC to some of the most successful seasons in program history. In 2009 — the third of Aoki's four seasons as head coach — the Eagles won 34 games and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1967. From 2004 to 2006, Aoki served as BC's pitching coach. He helped BC to a program-record 37 wins in 2005 and had six Eagles pitchers drafted by MLB clubs.
Aoki's first collegiate head coaching position was at Columbia from 1999 to 2003. Aoki led the Lions to 20 wins in 2001, their first 20-win season since 1987. The Lions reached 20 wins again in 2002 and 2003, compiling the second-longest string of 20-win seasons in school history at the time.
Everywhere he has coached, Aoki has demonstrated an ability to develop future professional players. More than 55 of his players have been selected in the MLB Draft, and 15 have gone on to reach the major leagues.
Aoki's teams have also performed in the classroom, posting a program GPA of 3.0 or better every year from 2012 to 2021. In 2018 and 2019, his Notre Dame teams received "The Trophy," an award given to the Irish team most committed to community service.
Aoki earned a Bachelor's degree from Davidson College in 1990 and a Master's degree from Ohio University in 1994. He and his wife Sue have three children, a son Kai, and daughters, Bryn and Reese.
"We are excited to have a coach of Mik's high caliber joining the Spiders," said Vice President and Director of Athletics John Hardt. "He has proven that he can win at the highest levels of collegiate baseball, and he's done it at institutions that prioritize both academic and competitive excellence. He sees the tremendous potential of Spider Baseball, and all of Richmond Athletics is committed to supporting him in building a championship program."
"I am thrilled, humbled and grateful for the opportunity to lead the University of Richmond Baseball program," said Aoki. "The University's academic reputation speaks for itself. What I found as I learned more about Spider Athletics is its commitment to develop the person, the student, and the athlete at the very highest level. I am absolutely thrilled by the opportunity to be a part of that.
"I would be remiss if I did not thank my players, my staff, Dr. Jaime Gordon and Dr. Jay Morgan for giving me the opportunity at Morehead State University. It is a difficult place to leave and the relationships I have made there will be a part of me forever.
"If there is one thing that drew me to Richmond, apart from the opportunity to lead young men through such a transformational part of their lives, it is the alignment that I saw and felt in the commitment of the University to the baseball program. I could tell that there is a deep desire, and most importantly a commitment, to see Spider Baseball become synonymous with baseball excellence in the Atlantic 10, regionally and nationally."
Aoki (A-Oh-key) comes to Richmond from Morehead State, where last season he guided the Eagles to a 36-20 record and the outright Ohio Valley Conference regular title, the first for the program since 1979. Morehead State's 36 wins in 2023 were tied for fourth-most in school history and marked the third straight year the Eagles increased their win total from the previous season.
Aoki's longest head coaching stint came at Notre Dame from 2010-19, when he oversaw the program's transition from the Big East to the Atlantic Coast Conference. In their final Big East season in 2013, Aoki guided Notre Dame to a 34-24 record and a runner-up finish in the Big East Tournament. In the program's second ACC season in 2015, the Irish finished 37-23 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006.
Aoki spent seven seasons at Boston College, leading BC to some of the most successful seasons in program history. In 2009 — the third of Aoki's four seasons as head coach — the Eagles won 34 games and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1967. From 2004 to 2006, Aoki served as BC's pitching coach. He helped BC to a program-record 37 wins in 2005 and had six Eagles pitchers drafted by MLB clubs.
Aoki's first collegiate head coaching position was at Columbia from 1999 to 2003. Aoki led the Lions to 20 wins in 2001, their first 20-win season since 1987. The Lions reached 20 wins again in 2002 and 2003, compiling the second-longest string of 20-win seasons in school history at the time.
Everywhere he has coached, Aoki has demonstrated an ability to develop future professional players. More than 55 of his players have been selected in the MLB Draft, and 15 have gone on to reach the major leagues.
Aoki's teams have also performed in the classroom, posting a program GPA of 3.0 or better every year from 2012 to 2021. In 2018 and 2019, his Notre Dame teams received "The Trophy," an award given to the Irish team most committed to community service.
Aoki earned a Bachelor's degree from Davidson College in 1990 and a Master's degree from Ohio University in 1994. He and his wife Sue have three children, a son Kai, and daughters, Bryn and Reese.
DIII Transfer Brady O' Brien Staying Hot at the Plate
Wednesday, May 07
Hot Hitting from the Hot Corner: Brady O' Brien
Wednesday, May 07
Baseball Highlights vs. UMASS
Sunday, April 13
Baseball Postgame - UMASS
Sunday, April 13