Rich Maloney, a distinguished figure in college baseball, is in his 19th season at the helm of Ball State University's baseball program and 29th as a head coach. Maloney boasts a career head coaching record of 988-646-2 (.605) and holds the title of the winningest coach in Ball State history with a 647-402-2 (.617) mark. His ability to build championship-caliber programs is evident in his teams’ consistent success, with 30-win seasons in 17 of his 19 years at Ball State. A four-time MAC Coach of the Year, Maloney has guided the Cardinals to five MAC regular season championships, the 2023 MAC Tournament title, and four NCAA Regional appearances, including a thrilling 2023 run capped by a dramatic ninth-inning grand slam. Before returning to Ball State in 2013, Maloney served as the head coach at the University of Michigan, where he amassed 341 wins, three Big Ten regular season titles, two Big Ten Tournament championships, and four consecutive NCAA Regional berths. At both institutions, he has established a reputation for developing talent, with 68 of his players drafted a total of 75 times, including six first-round picks at Ball State. Notably, Maloney coached Bryan Bullington, the only No. 1 overall MLB draft pick in Ball State and MAC history. Maloney’s leadership extends beyond the diamond. He served as the 2018 ABCA President, held a six-year term as the Division I Chair, and continues as the NCAA Division I representative on the ABCA Executive Committee. His commitment to excellence is reflected in Ball State’s academic achievements, with the program earning the ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award every year since 2016.