Randy Mazey to coach final season at West Virginia in 2024, Steve Sabins to take over

After nearly 35 years of coaching college baseball, head West Virginia coach Randy Mazey is preparing to step down and retire at the end of next season. On Monday, WVU Athletics and athletic director Wren Baker announced Mazey’s decision. Here was the news, as reported on the team website:

“West Virginia University Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker has announced that Randy Mazey has decided the upcoming 2024 baseball season will be his final year as head coach of the Mountaineers before transitioning to a senior advisor role within the baseball program.”

So Mazey will finish his coaching career next spring but stay with the program as an advisor. As for his replacement, well, the Mountaineers won’t be going far to crown their next program leader. As part of that same release, WVU announced that current assistant Steve Sabins is set to take over as head coach once Mazey steps down. Per the team website, he already as a deal inked through the 2029 season once he does take over:

“Current Associate Head Coach Steve Sabins will take over as the 20th head coach in program history at the conclusion of the 2024 baseball season and has signed a contract through 2029.”

After 11 years (12 by next spring) as head coach of the Mountaineers and three-plus decades as a coach at the college level, Mazey is finally ready to rest on his laurels. Although he won’t be too far away as a senior advisor.

Mazey makes statement

Here was Mazey’s statement on the moves, once again provided by WVU Athletics:

“I would like to thank President Gee, Wren Baker, and Matt Wells for their tremendous support of our baseball program. I would also like to thank Oliver Luck and Keli Zinn for giving me the opportunity to come to WVU and bring our baseball program to a Top 25 level.

“I am not stepping down, I am stepping aside after the 2024 season to let Coach Sabins, Coach Ginther, and Coach Garcia continue to take WVU Baseball to levels it has never reached before. I am 100% confident that Coach Sabins and this staff have the ability to do just that, and I am just as excited for the future of Mountaineer baseball now as I have ever been.

“I love WVU Baseball, and I am very proud of what we have accomplished in my time here. Amanda, Weston, Sierra and I have fallen in love with Morgantown, the people here, the fans, and the entire state of West Virginia. This is our home, and I will continue to help this baseball program within the community and the state to the best of my ability.

“However, since next season will be my last on the field, I do ask our great fans for their continued support to help make it our best season yet. Let’s Go!”