University of South Alabama Athletics

01/13/06– FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

USA'S STEVE KITTRELL AWARDED FOUR-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION

CONTACT: Kevin Sytko

MOBILE, Ala . – University of South Alabama Director of Athletics Joe Gottfried announced Friday a four year contract extension through Sept. 2009, for head baseball coach Steve Kittrell.

“Coach Kittrell has clearly demonstrated his leadership with our baseball program and we are proud to have him represent our baseball program and our university," said Gottfried.

Kittrell, the winningest and longest tenured coach in Jaguar baseball history, is now signed on through the 2009 season.

“I am very grateful to Joe Gottfried and the University for extending my contract,” said Kittrell. “I feel very fortunate to be coaching at my alma mater. With the new stadium this year, this is an exciting time for South Alabama baseball.”

In 22 seasons as head coach of the Jaguars, Kittrell has amassed an astounding 863 wins, only 486 defeats and one tie. South Alabama has dominated the Sun Belt Conference under Kittrell, winning 11 conference titles and nine Sun Belt Conference Tournament crowns. He has taken 17 USA teams to the NCAA National Tournament and come within one win of heading to the College World Series six times.

In 1996, Kittrell surpassed his mentor and former coach Eddie Stanky on the South Alabama All-Time wins list cementing his place in Jaguar history. In 1993, the Jaguar Athletic department honored Kittrell by inducting him into the South Alabama Hall of Fame.

A Davidson High School graduate, Kittrell picked up his first win for USA in 1984 when the Jag’s defeated Alabama 4-2 and the milestone wins kept pilling up year after year. Win number 100 came in 1986 and win number 800 came in 2004 with a 5-2 over Jacksonville State. Kittrell’s new contract provides him with the opportunity to build on an already impressive list of accomplishments through the next four seasons.

STEVE KITTRELL'S COACHING RECORD AT SOUTH ALABAMA: