texascollegiateleague.com

The Brazos Valley Bombers have named Brent Alumbaugh the team’s head coach for the 2008 season, the team announced Monday. Alumbaugh takes over the head coach position after serving as the Bombers assistant coach in 2007. He brings to the organization a winning resume at the professional, college, and high school levels.

“The Bombers are proud to name Brent Alumbaugh the team’s new head coach,” said Bombers co-owner Uri Geva. “With his knowledge and experience, as well as his familiarity with the organization and the Brazos Valley, we are confident he will bring continued success to the Bombers and help establish a winning tradition.”

Alumbaugh joined the Bombers staff prior to the inaugural season as the assistant to then-head coach Kevin Moulder. His coaching style complimented that of Moulder very well, helping lead the first-year team to a 23-20 record and a second-place finish in the Tris Speaker Division. Brazos Valley qualified for the playoffs, but the squad was eliminated in the first round by the eventual champion Coppell Copperheads.

The head coach position was vacated by Moulder following the 2007 season. Moulder began the summer as an assistant coach for the University of Central Missouri, a powerhouse program and perennial contender for the Division II title. But in the midst of a successful season with the Bombers, the St. Louis native was named assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Saint Louis University. Jumping to a Division I program meant Moulder would be unable to return to the Brazos Valley.

“Though it was disappointing to see Kevin go, we’re happy for his success,” commented general manager Mike Lieberman. “And when it came time to select the Bombers next head coach, Brent was the only obvious choice.”

In the spring, Alumbaugh will continue to serve as head coach at Franklin High School outside of Nashville, Tenn., where he has led the Rebels for the last five seasons. Franklin has posted a 119-57 (.676) record during Alumbaugh’s tenure, including three straight appearances in the Class 3A state tournament. In 2006, the Rebel squad captured the district title, followed by a regional title in 2007.

Alumbaugh’s coaching career kicked off in the professional ranks, working with a pair of teams in the independent Frontier League. Alumbaugh joined the staff of the Evansville (Ind.) Otters in 2000, helping the team nab a wild card berth in the playoffs. In 2001, he followed manager Greg Tagert to the Dubois County (Ind.) Dragons, where the team captured a Western Division title.

A native of Winter Haven, Fla., Alumbaugh attended Auburndale High School, between Tampa and Orlando. He moved on to Vincennes University, where he was a starting pitcher for the Trailblazers regional championship team. Alumbaugh went on to graduate with bachelor’s degrees from both the University of Evansville and Southern Indiana University.

Alumbaugh’s ties to the Brazos Valley go beyond his role with the Bombers. His wife, Elizabeth, is a 2003 graduate of Texas A&M.