Frank Kellner Named Head Baseball Coach

SAN ANTONIO – Frank Kellner, a coach with strong ties to the state of Texas and part of several winning cultures, has been named the next Head Baseball Coach at St. Mary's University announced Executive Director of Athletics Robert Coleman.
 
"I am thrilled to welcome Frank as our next Head Baseball Coach at St. Mary's," Coleman said. "He has had tremendous success; athletically, academically and in the community, at Temple College over the past 20 years and it is impressive what that program has accomplished."
 
"God is good all the time and I am honored that I have been given this opportunity," Kellner said. "I would like to thank St. Mary's president, Thomas Mengler, executive director of athletics, Robert Coleman, and the athletic department staff for selecting me to lead this baseball program and invest in the student athletes. St. Mary's baseball has a rich tradition of success and a proud following of alumni and coaches. I am honored to have been chosen as the next head coach, where I will lead these young men, develop a culture of family, and help prepare them to be leaders on and off the field."
 
While at Temple College Kellner was a part of 657 wins, two NTJCAC Conference Championships, and six second place finishes. Over 200 players have gone on to careers at the university level and 36 players have been drafted by the MLB.
 
"We were impressed with Frank from the start," Coleman said. "And remained so during a thorough search with some very talented coaches and numerous discussions with many people. The first thing that was impressive is he is a tremendous teacher of the game and has a wonderful track record of developing players skills to prepare them for the next level. The second is his success recruiting the state of Texas and understanding the type of talent necessary to compete within the Lone Star Conference and the South Central Region. There is no question his eight-year playing career in professional baseball has allowed him to be a great evaluator of talent.  Lastly, the success on the field speaks for itself but even more impactful were the conversations with those who have played for Frank.  He is someone I am convinced can create the culture needed for us to be successful for many years to come."
 
Kellner becomes the eighth coach in the 74th year of baseball at St. Mary's. In addition to his 20 years at Temple, he has coached at Louisiana Tech and played professional baseball with the Houston Astros and Milwaukee Brewers organizations, reaching AAA in five of his eight years in Minor League Baseball and playing over 900 professional games as a shortstop. In 1993, Kellner was a Texas League AA All-Star. 
 
While with the Jackson Generals, Houston's AA team at the time, Kellner had the opportunity to play on campus at the old VJ Keefe Field from 1991-93.
 
"Coming back to San Antonio is a full circle journey," Kellner said. "I played at Dickson Stadium known previously as V.J. Keefe Field, home of the San Antonio Missions. Playing for the Jackson Generals, I spent part of three seasons competing against players such as Hall of Famers Pedro Martinez and Mike Piazza there. My family and I feel blessed to be part of St. Mary's and this next chapter in my coaching career."
 
He graduated from Louisiana Tech in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in administration and business. He and his wife, Jennifer, have two daughters, Elise and Clare.
 
"Overall, as a man of faith he is a wonderful fit for our institution and program," Coleman concluded. "We look forward in welcoming Frank and his family to the Alamo City."