UCLA's John Savage named national baseball coach of year

June 14, 2026 - 03:24

John Savage, the head coach of the UCLA Bruins, was named the national baseball coach of the year by the College Baseball Foundation on Saturday. The honor comes after a season where his team held the No. 1 ranking throughout the entire regular season. UCLA also captured the Big Ten tournament title, marking a strong run through conference play.

However, the season ended earlier than expected. The Bruins were eliminated in the regional round of the NCAA tournament, a surprising exit for a team that had been the top seed. Despite that early postseason loss, Savage's overall body of work was recognized by the foundation. The award highlights his ability to keep the team at the top of the national rankings for months. It also acknowledges the program's consistency and success in a highly competitive environment. Savage has been a steady presence for UCLA baseball, and this award adds to his long list of accomplishments with the program.