JONESBORO (8/8/12) — Arkansas State University head baseball coach Tommy Raffo has been awarded a five-year contract extension, Chancellor Tim Hudson announced Wednesday afternoon. Raffo’s contract has been amended to run through the year 2017.
"We are pleased Coach Raffo will continue to help elevate the status of ASU baseball and our drive toward higher achievement," said Hudson. "His influence and leadership are invaluable to both our student-athletes and our overall athletic programs."
Raffo, who was named ASU’s fifth head baseball coach on July 1, 2008, previously received a three-year extension July 1, 2011, which would have run through 2014 prior to the announced amendment.
“I’d like to thank Dr. (Chuck) Welch and Dr. (Tim) Hudson for allowing me to continue to lead this program," said Raffo. “I would also like to thank Dr. (Dean) Lee for his support. My family and I are very happy in Jonesboro and appreciate all the support from ASU and the community. We have an incredibly talented group of returning players and recruits. I am excited about our team and our coaching staff, and there is no doubt in my mind that we are building the best program in the conference. The staff and I will continue to work hard and keep ASU baseball moving forward."
Under Raffo’s direction, Arkansas State finished the 2012 season at 34-23 overall and at 19-9 in Sun Belt Conference action. The Red Wolves were just one-half game out of first place at the end of the regular season. The final month of the season saw ASU win 11 of its final 15 games, including a win over No. 22 Ole Miss before ending the season with a run to the finals of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament in Bowling Green, Ky.
After leading the Red Wolves to one of the most successful seasons in ASU history in 2012, Raffo was named Arkansas Coach of the Year by Natural State Baseball, while senior pitcher Jacob Lee was named as the winner of the Natural Award, given annually to the best player from the state of Arkansas.
Raffo, who will be starting his fifth season with the Red Wolves, was also voted as the Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year following the regular season.