Dan McDonnell, Louisville Cardinals

Dan McDonnell is in his 11th season as head coach of the Louisville Cardinals. During the third week of March 2017, the Cardinals climbed to number one in the national rankings for the first time in program history. The Cardinals have gotten off to an incredible start to the 2017 campaign by winning their first 19 games and owned a 22-2 record heading into their March 31-April 2 series against 16th-ranked Virginia. Pitcher/first baseman/designated hitter Brendan McKay is one of the top players in the Division I ranks, and major league scouts remain uncertain as to whether the junior profiles more as an everyday player or a left-handed hurler at the professional level. McKay leads a balanced Louisville attack that has all the pieces to make another serious run at the national championship.

McDonnell played four years at The Citadel and then became a head coach at his alma mater after graduating in 1992. He proceeded to earn his master’s degree in business administration in 1995 while coaching eight seasons with the Bulldogs. During that time The Citadel advanced to four NCAA Regionals and won five Southern Conference titles. He then became the top assistant and recruiting coordinator for Mike Bianco at the University of Mississippi for six seasons. McDonnell and the Rebels had four top 20 recruiting classes and three groups that ranked in the top 10 nationally. The first full recruiting class for the Rebels under McDonnell’s direction was ranked No. 6 in the nation by Collegiate Baseball. In each of his last two seasons with the Rebels, Ole Miss was one win away from advancing to Omaha.

Since arriving at Louisville in June of 2006, McDonnell entered this season ranked sixth nationally among active coaches in winning percentage. The Cardinals rank fifth nationally with 456 wins from 2007-16. He was the 2015 and 2016 ACC Coach of the Year and guided Louisville to the College World Series in his first season, 2007, as well as in 2013 and 2014. Under his direction, the Cardinals have made nine Regional appearances, 6 Super Regional appearances and won seven regular-season conference titles.