WINONA, Minn. — For Saint Mary's University baseball coach
Nick Whaley, the past 12 seasons have been filled with plenty of highs and lows.
Tuesday afternoon, the Cardinal veteran experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows — at the same time.
With a heavy heart, Whaley announced Tuesday that he was stepping down as the Cardinals' head baseball coach to become the head baseball and volleyball coach, as well as a physical education and health instructor at Winona Cotter High School.
“This was probably one of the toughest decisions I've ever had to make,” admitted Whaley, who along with his position as head baseball coach, also served as SMU's Director of Physical Education. “Saint Mary's has provided my wife Nancy and me with a wonderful environment to raise our kids and grow as a family. We now feel that it is time to move forward and grow in new and exciting ways.
“My goal has always been to make a positive difference in the lives of our student-athletes — I hope that I have done that.”
In his 12 seasons at Saint Mary's, Whaley compiled a 168-213 record, including an 8-23 mark this past season — a season in which SMU played its entire schedule away from the friendly confines of Max Molock Field, due to the renovation of its home playing facility.
“With the resignation of Coach Whaley, Saint Mary's is losing not only a great coach, but also an outstanding teach and person,” said SMU athletic director
Nikki Fennern, noting that a national search for Whaley's successor will begin immediately. “He has truly made a positive impact on his student-athletes, fellow coaches and the university as a whole.
“While I am saddened to lose one of my mentors, I am happy for him as he returns to his coaching roots as a high school teacher and coach.”
Whaley guided the Cardinals to back-to-back Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament appearances in 2001 and 2002 — earning MIAC Coach of the Year honors following the 2001 campaign — and won 10 or more games in 10 of his 12 seasons at the helm.
Prior to coming to Saint Mary's, Whaley spent five seasons as the head baseball coach at Henry Sibley High School. During that time, his teams posted a record of 73-27, while also winning the Class AA State Championship in 1994.
“I'm proud of the culture we have established in the baseball family and I'm extremely proud of the large number of former players making a difference through coaching,” Whaley said. “It would have been nice to win more games and qualify for more post-season play, but I would not trade the opportunity that I have had to coach outstanding individuals and work with such wonderful people.”
