Gary Pullins transformed the BYU baseball team into a powerhouse throughout his coaching career. As the seventh head baseball coach at BYU, Pullins ranked 16th among active NCAA Div. I baseball coaches with 913 wins upon retirement.
Under Pullins' direction, the Cougars won seven Western Athletic Conference titles and 15 division crowns. He also led the baseball team to the NCAA Tournament nine times.
Pullins's talent did not go unnoticed during his coaching career. He was also named District Coach of the Year four times, WAC Coach of the Year nine times and ABCA/Diamond Coach of the Year in 1985.
In 1983, Pullins guided his team to the Cougars' only No. 1 ranking in program history as they entered the NCAA Tournament with a 25-game winning streak.
Pullins's success at BYU started long before his coaching career. He played baseball as a Cougar during his college days after transferring in 1966. A two-year starter at second base, Pullins helped lead his team get to the 1968 College World Series. A natural team leader, the team captain hit .341 and earned second-team All-District honors.
After graduating, Pullins spent five years with the Los Angeles Dodgers as both a player and a coach. He then returned to Utah and pioneered the baseball program as both a coach and athletic director at Utah Valley State.
Since retiring, Pullins has maintained his passion for baseball. He served a term as president of the ABCA in 1998 and co-authored The Baseball Coaching Bible and Teaching the Complete Baserunner. He currently serves on ABCA's Board of Directors, Research Committee and Hall of Fame Veterans Committees.
