Just In: WVU Head Baseball Coach Steve Sabins Announces Shocking Resignation and Departure—Cites Personal Reasons and Program Strain..

Just In: WVU Head Baseball Coach Steve Sabins Announces Shocking Resignation and Departure—Cites Personal Reasons and Program Strain

In a stunning development that has left the college baseball community reeling, West Virginia University head baseball coach Steve Sabins has officially announced his resignation and departure from the program, citing personal reasons and the growing demands of leading a high-pressure program as key factors in his decision.

The announcement came early this morning through a joint statement released by Sabins and the WVU Athletic Department, just weeks after the Mountaineers concluded a rollercoaster season that saw flashes of brilliance but also challenges both on and off the field. Sabins, who had only recently taken the reins as head coach after years of service as an assistant under former head coach Randy Mazey, expressed deep gratitude but also acknowledged the emotional toll the position had taken.

> “After careful consideration and many conversations with my family, I have decided to step away from my position as head baseball coach at West Virginia University,” Sabins said in the statement. “This was not an easy decision. WVU has been my home for over a decade, but at this time in my life, I need to prioritize my health, my family, and my future. Coaching is a 24/7 responsibility, and I’ve given all I had to this program.”

A Sudden Shift in the Dugout

Sabins’ resignation comes as a shock to fans, players, and staff alike. Considered one of the brightest young minds in collegiate baseball, Sabins was seen as the natural successor to Coach Mazey and had already begun reshaping the program in his own image—prioritizing aggressive base-running, tight pitching strategy, and strong team chemistry.

Under his brief tenure, WVU secured several promising recruits and had shown signs of building a competitive core for the next few seasons. His departure leaves a leadership vacuum at a time when momentum was building.

Athletic Director Wren Baker spoke at an impromptu press conference this morning, saying:

> “Steve Sabins has been an incredible asset to WVU baseball for over a decade. His commitment, energy, and knowledge of the game have been instrumental in the team’s success and growth. While we are saddened to see him go, we fully respect his decision and thank him for everything he’s done for this program.”

Behind the Decision

While the statement from Sabins remained focused on “personal reasons,” insiders close to the program have suggested a combination of health concerns, family obligations, and the increasing mental toll associated with leading a top-tier Division I program were likely contributing factors.

Multiple sources indicate that the stress of maintaining high performance standards, recruiting in a fiercely competitive environment, and dealing with recent player transfer speculation may have weighed heavily on Sabins, prompting his unexpected decision.

Additionally, the college baseball landscape has been shifting dramatically due to NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals and transfer portal activity, which has put added pressure on coaches to retain talent and compete with wealthier programs.

Fan and Player Reactions

The announcement triggered an emotional response from fans, players, and WVU alumni across social media platforms. Hashtags like #ThankYouCoachSabins and #WVUBaseball were trending within hours, with many praising Sabins not just for his coaching, but for his character, leadership, and mentorship.

Star outfielder Caleb Hart posted on Instagram:

> “Coach Sabins changed the way I see the game and taught me how to be a better man. This one hurts, but we love you, Coach. Always a Mountaineer.”

Parents of players also weighed in, noting how Sabins was deeply involved in his players’ academic and personal development. Several praised him for always making time for families, community outreach, and player mental health initiatives.

What’s Next for WVU Baseball?

With Sabins’ departure, the WVU Athletic Department is now beginning an urgent search for a new head coach to lead the Mountaineers into the next chapter. While no interim coach has been named yet, speculation is already circulating about potential internal promotions or outside hires.

Early names being floated include:

Mark Ginther, current hitting coach at Oklahoma State and former WVU staff member

Billy Boyer, associate head coach at Minnesota

Ryan McBroom, a former WVU standout who has expressed interest in coaching

Wren Baker stated that the university will begin “an immediate and national search” for the next head coach and aims to have someone in place before the fall recruiting period intensifies.

Legacy of Sabins

Though his time as head coach was brief, Steve Sabins leaves behind a legacy of passion, grit, and integrity. From his days as a dedicated assistant to his brief but impactful leadership as head coach, Sabins gave WVU baseball a blueprint for future success.

As the university, players, and fans absorb the impact of this major change, one thing remains certain: Steve Sabins will always be a part of the Mountaineer family.

His resignation may mark the end of a chapter—but perhaps, it also signals the start of a new one for both Sabins and the WVU baseball program.

familiar face within the WVU Baseball program finally began his surge into the public eye on Friday, as Steve Sabins officially addressed the media for the first time as head coach.

Sabins, who has been with the Mountaineers as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, takes the reigns from Randy Mazey. In 12 seasons with WVU, Mazey led the program to its first four NCAA Tournament appearances in the 21st century, its first Big 12 regular season championship, and, most recently, its first super regional berth.

Mazey earned Sabins’ thanks at his introduction on Friday, as Sabins highlighted his gratitude for the chance Mazey took on him as a young coach. With that, Sabins expressed his excitement to stay with the program he helped build for the better part of a decade by Mazey’s side and thanked Wren Baker for the chance he took by appointing him head coach a year before Mazey’s retirement.

While Mazey certainly helped Sabins reach this pivotal moment in his career, though, he also unintentionally brings plenty of pressure to the first-time head coach, due to the program’s recent success. Having helped reach those heights, though, Sabins is more than happy to tackle WVU’s new expectations head on.

“I’m not ignorant to expectations,” Sabins said. “To cower in the face of new expectations would be silly. At this point, I helped create them, and so I got to just keep making sure that bar is rising over the course of my tenure here.”

While high expectations carry over from last season, much of Sabins’ roster will as well, barring the departure of some players eligible for the MLB Draft. Due to the NCAA’s transfer portal deadline taking place before the draft, some acquired transfers are also not guaranteed for next season.

Nevertheless, much of WVU’s outfield and top of the batting order is expected to return for next season. One spot that will surely have a new look, though, is Sabins’ starting pitching rotation.

“We have some holes with starting pitching,” Sabins acknowledged. “We have to bring in some new players to fill some holes, but I think what we’re really counting on is that we had an unbelievable group of sophomore pitchers that showed flashes of brilliance for us.”

“It’s their turn to be able to take our program somewhere special,” Sabins said.

On the field, WVU’s coaching will look very different without Mazey, who Sabins called the most active on-field coach in the country. To fill that presence, Sabins will be trusting his team of assistants to split roles with him and maximize the knowledge of the staff.

“I’m going to stay at third base just to keep some normalcy with what we have done,” Sabins said. “I’ll run the offense in the third base box.”

“Coach (Justin) Oney is going to call pitches. He’s our pitching coach, so I feel passionately about that. The guy that’s in the bullpen every day, watching the pitchers, spending time with the pitchers, recruiting pitchers, I want him to have a really good pulse on that and to call pitches.”

Also staying in place from the Mazey era is coach Jacob Garcia, who Sabins anticipates remaining at first base. Rounding out the coaching staff will be a new bullpen coach, who will be part of a process Sabins says he is continuously tinkering with.

In addition to his on-field duties, Sabins will still be helping with recruiting. He will be taking control of the transfer portal while coach Garcia targets the high schoolers as the team’s recruiting coordinator.

Recruiting is a passion that Sabins learned to have after Mazey granted him his first opportunity on the staff, and now, the competitive nature of it keeps him wanting more.

Possibly Sabins’ best resume booster on the recruiting side of his career is his recruitment of JJ Wetherholt, the projected first overall pick in the upcoming MLB Draft.

Wetherholt’s stock out of Mars, Pa. had him just 30th in the state before his signing with WVU before it grew rapidly as he earned Big 12 Player of the Year honors as a sophomore. While finding another diamond in the rough to this degree is unlikely, it will not keep Sabins and his staff enthusiastic about trying as he transitions to head coach.