SFA Lumberjacks Announce New Head Baseball Coach
6/19/2024 3:00:00 PM | Baseball
NACOGDOCHES, Texas- Stephen F. Austin announced Wednesday morning the hiring of Matt Vanderburg as head coach of the Lumberjack baseball program. He becomes the ninth head coach to lead the SFA baseball program and begins his 20th season in collegiate baseball.
Vanderburg comes to SFA from West Texas A&M where he built West Texas A&M Baseball into a regional and national contender. He led the Buffs for 16 seasons with an overall record of 515-293 during his time in Canyon while also boasting a 614-359 career record through his 19 seasons in collegiate baseball. He led the Buffs to a 37-19 overall record in 2024 and 34-14 record in conference play in 2024. Last season was his fourth consecutive season with 30+ wins and his 14th season with 30 or more wins.
Vanderburg also led the Buffs to their ninth straight NCAA Division II tournament in 2024, appearing in the South-Central Regionals where they lost to the eventual national runner-up Angelo State.
During his time at West Texas A&M, Vanderburg has recorded two 40-win seasons, three Lone Star Conference Regular Season Titles, three Lone Star Conference Tournament Championships, and nine NCAA Division II Tournament appearances. He has also won the NCBWA South Central Region Coach of the Year Award and has coached 14 All-Americans, 53 All-Region Honorees, and 89 All-Conference Selections.
Matt is a native of Norman, Oklahoma and graduated from Northwestern Oklahoma State in 2003 and then graduated from Emporia State in 2005 with his master's degree. Matt played at Northwestern Oklahoma State and was a four-time All-Conference selection.
"We are excited to have Matt Vanderburg lead the Lumberjack baseball program into a new era," said Michael McBroom, SFA Director of Athletics. "He's a proven winner, knows how to build a program from the ground up and develops relationships with players and alumni that are genuine. He's a down-to-earth baseball man who isn't afraid of hard work and embraces the task ahead of us. He came in with a vision and a plan that aligns with ours and we will work together to build a championship program for SFA. I've seen him do it before and I'm excited to help him do it again."
"I want to thank Dr. Neal Weaver and Michael McBroom for the opportunity to lead Stephen F. Austin baseball program," said Matt Vanderburg, SFA Head Baseball Coach. "The future is bright for this University and for Lumberjack Baseball. My wife Kathryn and our children, Macy and Mattux, are excited about our move to Nacogdoches to begin transforming SFA into a championship-caliber program. It is going to require dedication and hard work, but I am confident that with the help of our administration, the community and our alumni and fans, we will achieve great success together in the Piney Woods. Let's build a winning tradition and make SFA Baseball a power house!"
Vanderburg By-The-Numbers
2- 40-Win Seasons at West Texas A&M
1- NCBWA South Central Region Coach of the Year Award
3- Lone Star Conference Regular Season Titles (2016, 2018, 2019)
3- Lone Star Conference Tournament Championships (2016, 2017, 2019)
12- Lone Star Conference Tournament Appearances
9- NCAA Tournament Appearances
12- 30-Win Seasons at West Texas A&M
14- All-Americans
53- All-Region honorees
89- All-Conference Selections
515- Victories at WT (Program Record)
614- Career Wins
Vanderburg comes to SFA from West Texas A&M where he built West Texas A&M Baseball into a regional and national contender. He led the Buffs for 16 seasons with an overall record of 515-293 during his time in Canyon while also boasting a 614-359 career record through his 19 seasons in collegiate baseball. He led the Buffs to a 37-19 overall record in 2024 and 34-14 record in conference play in 2024. Last season was his fourth consecutive season with 30+ wins and his 14th season with 30 or more wins.
Vanderburg also led the Buffs to their ninth straight NCAA Division II tournament in 2024, appearing in the South-Central Regionals where they lost to the eventual national runner-up Angelo State.
During his time at West Texas A&M, Vanderburg has recorded two 40-win seasons, three Lone Star Conference Regular Season Titles, three Lone Star Conference Tournament Championships, and nine NCAA Division II Tournament appearances. He has also won the NCBWA South Central Region Coach of the Year Award and has coached 14 All-Americans, 53 All-Region Honorees, and 89 All-Conference Selections.
Matt is a native of Norman, Oklahoma and graduated from Northwestern Oklahoma State in 2003 and then graduated from Emporia State in 2005 with his master's degree. Matt played at Northwestern Oklahoma State and was a four-time All-Conference selection.
"We are excited to have Matt Vanderburg lead the Lumberjack baseball program into a new era," said Michael McBroom, SFA Director of Athletics. "He's a proven winner, knows how to build a program from the ground up and develops relationships with players and alumni that are genuine. He's a down-to-earth baseball man who isn't afraid of hard work and embraces the task ahead of us. He came in with a vision and a plan that aligns with ours and we will work together to build a championship program for SFA. I've seen him do it before and I'm excited to help him do it again."
"I want to thank Dr. Neal Weaver and Michael McBroom for the opportunity to lead Stephen F. Austin baseball program," said Matt Vanderburg, SFA Head Baseball Coach. "The future is bright for this University and for Lumberjack Baseball. My wife Kathryn and our children, Macy and Mattux, are excited about our move to Nacogdoches to begin transforming SFA into a championship-caliber program. It is going to require dedication and hard work, but I am confident that with the help of our administration, the community and our alumni and fans, we will achieve great success together in the Piney Woods. Let's build a winning tradition and make SFA Baseball a power house!"
Vanderburg By-The-Numbers
2- 40-Win Seasons at West Texas A&M
1- NCBWA South Central Region Coach of the Year Award
3- Lone Star Conference Regular Season Titles (2016, 2018, 2019)
3- Lone Star Conference Tournament Championships (2016, 2017, 2019)
12- Lone Star Conference Tournament Appearances
9- NCAA Tournament Appearances
12- 30-Win Seasons at West Texas A&M
14- All-Americans
53- All-Region honorees
89- All-Conference Selections
515- Victories at WT (Program Record)
614- Career Wins
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