June 16, 2013

2013 Coaching Changes

Butler Named Head Coach at Wichita State

Arkansas assistant coach Todd Butler has been selected as the new head coach at Wichita State. He will officially be introduced on Monday at 2 p.m. at Eck Stadium.

Butler, 46, was on staff at Arkansas for eight seasons, promoted to associate head coach following the Razorbacks’ trip to the College World Series in 2012. He was hitting instructor, outfield coach and recruiting coordinator for Arkansas. The Razorbacks reached eight NCAA Tournaments, three Super Regionals and two College World Series appearances with Butler on staff.

Prior to his arrival in Fayetteville, Butler spent eight years over two different stints as an assistant at Alabama and was head coach for three seasons at his alma mater of McNeese State in his hometown of Lake Charles, La.

Butler posted a record of 90-83 (.520) from 2001-03 as head coach of the Cowboys. He led McNeese State to the Southland Conference title in 2003, its first in 10 years.

Butler was an assistant at Alabama from 1995-2000 and from 2004-05. During that second stint, he was hitting instructor, infield coach, recruiting coordinator and first base coach.

Before his time in Tuscaloosa, Butler was a student assistant at McNeese State in 1991, assistant at Blinn Junior College in 1992 and assistant at McNeese State in 1993 and 1994.

Butler played at McNeese State and at Oklahoma. He captained the Sooners in 1998 and still holds the OU single-season record for steals with 46. Butler was All-Big Eight and third team All-American in 1988.