Florak resigns as YSU coach

He’ll coach the baseball
program until October.

YOUNGSTOWN — Mike Florak, who guided the Youngstown State baseball program for nine seasons, announced Tuesday he is resigning.

Florak, who led the Penguins to more than 200 wins, will continue to oversee the program through mid-October.

“I’ve greatly enjoyed my time here at YSU, but all good things must come to an end,” Florak said in a statement. “I’ve got a different mission for my life at this point.”

Florak coached the Penguins to their first NCAA tournament in 2004 and had 11 taken in the major league baseball draft or sign professional contracts.

YSU athletic director Ron Strollo complimented Florak.

Made impact

“His impact was felt off the field as well with his work in the local youth baseball leagues, his YES Clinic work at the College World Series and his speaking engagements about his battle with Crohn’s Disease,” said Strollo.

In 2005, Florak self-published his autobiography, “Healther than Normal; My Spiritual Victory over Crohn’s Disease and Depression,” in which he detailed his battle against the infliction.

Last season, the Penguins, with 17 first-year players, finished 19-37 but won two games in the Horizon League tournament.

Florak said the 2008 team will be one that could enjoy a lot of success.

“I think there is a great nucleus with great people on this team,” he said. “I’m going to miss the chance to be part of a special team this year.”

John Koehnlein batted .434, which ranked fourth in the nation, and along with Josh Page was named first team All-Horizon League.

Academic success

Florak also emphasized academic responsibility. Last fall the baseball team finished with a cumulative GPA of 3.10, which was the highest of any men’s team in the Horizon League. Brandon Caipen was named second team Academic All-America, and three other players were named to the academic all-district team, and 20 were named academic all-conference.

“The academic success of our baseball student-athletes was tremendous,” Strollo said. “Baseball programs struggle throughout the country to maintain good academic success, but ours has been routinely successful.”

A national search to find Florak’s successor will begin immediately.