Schlossnagle's Coaching Tree Continues to Grow

Second only to producing championship baseball teams through the development of players, on and off the field, Texas A&M baseball head coach Jim Schlossnagle’s passion lies in the growth of future baseball coaches.

Schlossnagle boasts one of the nation’s most fertile coaching trees. This offseason the tree bore more fruit as Bill Mosiello was hired at Ohio State, giving the Schlossnagle lineage eight active NCAA Division I head coaches. 

“I have been very fortunate to have been able to work alongside some incredible people and coaches,” Schlossnagle said. “I have learned a lot from everyone that I have worked with and I believe the success of each of these coaches can be attributed to not just the inner workings of each of our coaching staffs, but more so to the players that we were all lucky enough to coach and be around each day. I truly believe that when the team goals are met, the individual goals get met and that is exactly what has happened to everyone involved with the programs we have been involved in.”

In addition to Mosiello, the Schlossnagle coaching tree boasts Derek Matlock (UTRGV), Randy Mazey (West Virginia), Kirk Saarloos (TCU), Ryan Schotzberger (Incarnate Word), Steven Trout (Texas State), Tony Vitello (Tennessee) and Todd Whitting (Houston).

The Schlossnagle coaching tree has been exceptional in both quantity and quality. The seven coaches combined to post a 266-147 (.644) mark last season. The group has produced winning records in 30 of their 39 seasons.

The success can be attributed to Schlossnagle’s hiring acumen. 

“When you have to hire somebody, you’re looking at who has left the program, and what has been their responsibilities on and off the field,” Schlossnagle said. “I look for three things. The third-most important thing is knowledge of the game. The second-most is somebody that’s going to work hard and really enjoy the profession. The most important thing is that they’re loyal. I’m looking for good people. We don’t need to have the same opinion, but we need to have the same values.”

“I truly believe that when the team goals are met, the individual goals get met and that is exactly what has happened to everyone involved with the programs we have been involved in.” 

Matlock was a volunteer assistant coach at TCU from 2005-06, helping the Horned Frogs to an 80-43 mark, winning back-to-back conference titles.

Mazey worked six seasons on Schlossnagle’s staff at TCU (2007-12), including three seasons as associate head coach. TCU logged a 269-106 mark with Mazey on staff, winning at least 40 games each season.

Mosiello was the associate head coach at TCU for nine seasons (2014-22) before heading to Columbus. He helped guide TCU to four straight appearances in the College World Series (2014-17) and seven NCAA Tournaments.

Saarloos earned his chops with nine seasons on Schlossnagle’s Horned Frogs’ staff (2013-21). During his time, TCU totaled six conference regular-season and tournament championships, as well as four College World Series appearances.

Schotzberger worked five years in Fort Worth (2007-11), tutoring three all-conference catchers, including 2010 Johnny Bench Award winner Bryan Holaday.

Trout spent two seasons playing for Schlossnagle at TCU. The all-conference player won two Mountain West Conference titles and played in two NCAA tournaments for the Horned Frogs in 2006-07.

Vitello worked three years as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator on Schlossnagle’s staff (2011-13). He helped the Horned Frogs to two NCAA Tournament appearances, including a 2012 Super Regional berth.

Whitting served on Schlossnagle’s staff at TCU for seven seasons (2004-10). He helped the Horned Frogs compile a 305-134 mark, including seven-straight league titles. He spent two seasons as an assistant coach before being promoted to associate head coach.

"I’m looking for good people. We don’t need to have the same opinion, but we need to have the same values.”

In addition to producing future coaches, Schlossnagle is involved in advancing the profession, serving on the board of the American Baseball Coaches Association. In 2022, Schlossnagle is serving as 1st Vice President. Elected to the ABCA board in 2017, Schlossnagle is integral in shaping the association’s legislative efforts and crafting the agenda for each year’s convention.