NEWBERRY - Newberry College has announced that head baseball coach Russell Triplett has signed a contract extension through the 2027 season.
Triplett, entering his 14th season as head coach this spring, is the winningest coach in school history with a record of 392-250-1.
Triplett was named head coach in May 2010 after a successful playing career at Clemson and after serving as an assistant at his alma mater and USC Upstate.
During his 13 seasons at Newberry, he has led the Wolves to a pair of South Atlantic Conference championships, advancing to the NCAA Tournament twice, hosting an NCAA regional in both appearances, and being named SAC Coach of the Year three times (2015, 2019, 2023).
Most impressively, his program has earned the highest team grade point average among all conference baseball programs for 10 consecutive years. Seven times his student-athletes have received Academic All-America recognition, including most recently Rhett Jolly in 2023.
"Coach Triplett's program is built on the foundation of integrity, and the results are second to none, on and off the playing field," said Newberry College Athletic Director Sean Johnson. "Russell and his family are incredibly committed to Newberry College and the City of Newberry. We are so fortunate to have him leading our program and making a positive impact on our student-athletes and everyone in our community."
The Wolves have posted 11 consecutive winning seasons, including last year's with a school record 43 games, which included a 19-4 mark in league play enroute to winning the South Atlantic Conference regular season and postseason tournament titles. The team also won its first-ever NCAA Tournament game.
After the season, Triplett was named SAC Coach of the Year, Braylin Marine became the first player in league history to win Player of the Year for a second time, and Bennett Roemer was tabbed as the league's Freshman of the Year.
"I appreciate our president, Dr. Scherrens, and AD Sean Johnson for their continued commitment to our College and athletic department," said Triplett. "I'm truly thankful for this opportunity. The people make this place and I've been fortunate enough to be surrounded by great people. The assistant coaches and players over the last 13 years deserve all the credit.
"Leading this baseball program is an honor and something I don't take for granted. My family and I are fully invested in this College and community. I'm excited that we get to continue calling Newberry home!" he added.
He and his wife, Ciria, have a long-standing relationship with Screaming Eagles Special Needs Athletics and host an event every fall with both the baseball and softball teams participating. Last year the annual event was named a finalist for the NCAA Division II Award of Excellence, which recognizes the Division II philosophy of community engagement and student-athlete leadership.
During his career at Newberry, his student-athletes have been recognized twice with SAC Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year awards, four All-American recognitions, one national Gold Glove winner, 15 all-region selections, and have been named all-SAC 48 times.
The Tripletts are one of the most successful husband-and-wife coaching duos of all time, having won a combined 682 games and both establishing themselves as the winningest coaches in their sports at Newberry College.
Russell is a native of West Columbia and a graduate of Brookland-Cayce High School and Clemson University. He and Ciria have three sons – Cal, Cruz and Cane.
