KENT- Kent State Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Randale L. Richmond has announced a contract extension for head baseball coach Jeff Duncan through the 2027 baseball season.
The extension adds four seasons on to the current contract for Duncan, who is entering his 11th year as the Golden Flashes' head coach.
"Coach Duncan has done a tremendous job continuing the storied success and history of our baseball program," Richmond said. "He and his staff have their student-athletes prepared to succeed on the field, in the classroom and in their careers. I look forward to see the continued growth of the program under his leadership."
The Golden Flashes are coming off one of their most successful seasons in program history, winning 42 games during the regular season and capturing the program's 16th regular season conference title. The club's 24 conference victories were a program record, as was the 22-1 regular season home record. That was the best home record in Division-I and the current 14 game home winning streak is the longest active streak in the nation. Those winning ways earned Duncan the 2023 Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year award for the fourth time.
"I want to thank President Diacon, Randale Richmond and the entire Kent State family for supporting our outstanding student-athletes and for giving me the opportunity to continue lead this great program," Duncan said. "I also want to thank my coaching staff, Coach Birkbeck and Coach Serrato for doing a great job recruiting and developing our players. We have amazing student-athletes in this program and we will continue to grow. I can't wait for the future and am so honored to lead this program."
Duncan and his staff have also done a tremendous job developing talent both on and off the field. This past semester saw the program register the highest spring term grade point average in program history. Three players heard their name called during the Major League Baseball draft, including reigning conference pitcher of the year Joe Whitman in the second round. In the Duncan era, 26 players have heard their named called in the draft or signed a professional contract, including 10 in the first 10 rounds. Both totals lead the Mid-American Conference.
Duncan also became the third coach in program history to eclipse the 300-career total with a sweep clinching victory at Bowling Green. His 321 wins are third-most all-time at Kent State and his 171 conference victories are second most.
The 2024 Kent State baseball season will open up in February.
