Kyle Crookes

Kyle Crookes

Central Missouri Athletics Director Jerry Hughes has announced that Kyle Crookes has been promoted from assistant coach to head coach for Mules Baseball to succeed Tom Myers, who retired at the end of the season.

“We are excited for Kyle to take over the Mules Baseball program,” Hughes said. “His track record both as a head coach and an assistant, as well as his familiarity with our program makes him a great fit. We are sure he will do an outstanding job leading the program.”

Crookes has been the top assistant for the Mules the previous two seasons, helping the Mules to a 71-29 record and an MIAA Regular Season championship this year. His offenses were consistently in the top 20 in the nation, including eighth in the country in runs scored last year.

Prior to joining Central Missouri, he served eight seasons as the head coach at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College. He recorded a 292-164 overall record in eight seasons leading the Blue Dragons. His teams won or shared three Jayhawk West championships, won two Region VI crowns, and made two trips to the NJCAA World Series, including a third place finish at the 2010 World Series. He is second on the career wins list at HCC and his .640 winning percentage ranks third among 10 HCC coaches and his 456 games coached are second all-time at the school.

During his tenure he coached four NJCAA All-Americans, 46 All-Conference players, 11 All-Region VI selections, a Jayhawk West MVP, Conference Freshman of the Year, and Region VI Defensive Player of the Year. Nine of his players were drafted and four players have reached the major leagues.

Before taking over as the head man at Hutchinson Community College, Crookes served four seasons as an assistant coach for the Blue Dragons. HCC compiled a 159-70-1 record during that span.

He played at San Jose Junior College, and then at Centenary where he earned his bachelor’s degree in history in 1999.

Story courtesy of UCM Athletics