Feb. 17, 2012

MVC Coach of the Year Award named after Callahan

As reported by Jim Ruppert of the State Journal-Register in Springfield, Ill., the Missouri Valley Conference has named its Baseball Coach of the Year Award after former Southern Illinois head coach Dan Callahan.

In 16 seasons with the Salukis, Callahan posted a record of 442-447-1. Prior to that, he spent five years at Eastern Illinois as head coach with a mark of 153-158-1. Callahan died on Nov. 15, 2012, after battling a rare form of skin cancer.

This will be the first MVC Coach of the Year award to be named after a former coach. The Player of the Year award for men’s basketball is named for Larry Bird and the women’s basketball award is named for Jackie Stiles.

Missouri State Keith Guttin proposed the award being named for Callahan and the conference coaches voted for the recommendation.

(photo courtesy of SIU Media Relations Office)