When Wichita State baseball head coach Gene Stephenson was fired after last season, many thought the shoes left in his quake would be irreplaceable.

“Guys just weren’t wanting to buy into the things Gene was teaching anymore,” former Shocker baseball player Johnny Coy said. “Players thought they knew more than Gene so they basically stopped listening to him.”

However, with a track record like new head coach Todd Butler’s, there should be no room left for doubt.

Butler coached with the Arkansas Razorbacks for seven seasons. He helped the Razorbacks make two College World Series appearances, seven NCAA regional berths, three NCAA super regional appearances, and two SEC Western Division titles. In other words, his résumé is not lacking.

Butler, who is also known for his ability to attract the best talent and develop the strongest hitters, is just what WSU needs after a history of strong pitching and streaky hitting.

Pitching coach Brent Kemnitz has remained on the coaching staff. He may continue to help the team through the coaching transition.  

Brian Walker replaced the previous assistant coach. Walker had been with Butler for three seasons. He assisted with hitting, catching and organized camps.

Butler, Walker and Kemnitz have already showed they are off to a good start in preseason games and that the team is responsive to their coaches. Each game they have won has been by a landslide.