Ty Harrington Announces Retirement After 20 Seasons

By Joshua Orozco
Assistant Sports Director

Texas State baseball head coach Ty Harrington announced his retirement after 20 seasons on Thursday.

Harrington ends his coaching career as the winning-est coach in Texas State school history. Harrington began his coaching tenure at Texas State in 2000, earning a career record of 657-516-2.

Harrington lead the Bobcats to a pair of Southland tournament championships and four regular season titles, including the Sun Belt conference championship this past spring.

During college, Harrington played at the University of Texas and advanced to the College World Series three times during his college career (1984, 1985, 1987).

“This is the hardest decision I’ve ever had in my life,” Harrington said. “I’m also excited, gitty and looking forward to the future.”

After hearing from Cliff Gustafson, Harrington’s college coach, Harrington knew he had more to give after coaching baseball.

“I’m more than that,” Harrington said. “There’s something out there in this world that I’m going to be even better at.”

The announcement of Harrington’s retirement was influenced on spending more time with his family. After much discussion, Harrington realized the tough decision his late father, a former Waco High football coach, had to make when he and his sister were younger.

“It was the most courageous thing I’ve ever seen,” Harrington said when reflecting on his father stepping away from coaching many years ago. “It’s time for me to be with [my family.]”

Harrington plans to contribute heavily with Tom Kowalski, president and CEO of the Texas Healthcare and Bioscience to spread awareness and find a cure for cancer.

Harrington was diagnosed with stage-3 rectal cancer four years ago, however, his health has no correlation to his retirement.

Harrington also intends on opening a private equity fund for Texas State University with long-time friend and Bobcat alumnus Darren Casey, the largest single gift contributor in the maroon and gold’s athletic department history.

Featured image by Joshua Orozco.