Georgia Tech's Trapasso named new UH baseball coach

Mike Trapasso, ranked the top head coaching prospect in college baseball this year by one publication, has been named the new University of Hawai'i coach.

Trapasso, who has been an assistant at Georgia Tech for the past seven years, agreed to terms with the Rainbows this evening and will sign a multi-year agreement when he arrives here Wednesday.

The 37-year-old Trapasso was named the leading candidate for a head coaching job among college assistant coaches by Baseball America because of his success as a recruiter and pitching coach for the Yellow Jackets.

His recruiting classes have been ranked in the Top 20 each of the past six years by Collegiate Baseball and he has sent 18 pitchers to the professional ranks.

Trapasso accepted the job offer from UH athletic director Hugh Yoshida after a negotiation deadline passed in talks with Arizona State coach Pat Murphy today.

Trapasso will become only the second Division I head coach in UH baseball history, following Les Murakami. Murakami, who was to have coached his 31st and final season in 2001, suffered a severe stroke in November. Carl Furutani was named acting coach in Murakami's absence.

The appointment is pending Board of Regents approval.