West Virginia Baseball Achieves the Impossible Under Steve Sabins
Steve Sabins is off to an impressive start as West Virginia’s head coach, building on the foundation laid by Randy Mazey. Entering this week’s Big 12 Tournament, Sabins has compiled an 81-29 (40-18) record over two seasons. In his first year, the Mountaineers captured the Big 12 regular season title and reached a Super Regional, and this season, they nearly repeated as conference champions and may have a chance to host a regional.
Such rapid success is rare, but West Virginia’s steady growth over the past decade under Mazey created the conditions for Sabins to thrive. Mazey, recognizing Sabins’ familiarity with the program and Morgantown, endorsed him as his successor, ensuring a smooth transition. “It has to be the right person here… those guys have been here long enough that they know how to do it,” Mazey said.
Sabins’ leadership has kept WVU competitive despite interest from other programs, including Cincinnati. Mazey, ready to spend more time with his family, entrusted the program to Sabins knowing it was in capable hands. Before Mazey’s tenure, the program was on the verge of shutting down due to limited resources, but investments in a new stadium and strong coaching turned it into a winner.
The Mountaineers have never reached the College World Series, and before 2024, had never advanced to a Super Regional. Now, they’ve reached it twice in three years and could make it a three-peat, with the next step being hosting a Super Regional or even earning a national seed.
WVU’s rise has been a gradual process since Mazey took over in 2013, steadily improving records, securing NCAA Tournament appearances, and cultivating a winning culture. Continued investment, including additional scholarships and a cutting-edge biomechanics and performance center, signals that the program is only getting stronger.
From nearly being shuttered to becoming a Big 12 contender and national threat, West Virginia baseball has become a source of pride for fans. With Sabins at the helm, the program is just beginning its ascent.
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