Dan Fitzgerald finds himself reflecting on Hoglund Ballpark with a sense of wonder. The venue’s recent upgrades, made for its inaugural hosting of a super regional in June, still feel surreal to him, not due to a lack of belief in the program but because of the challenging journey it has taken to reach this point.
Just four years prior, Kansas baseball existed in the shadows of major collegiate programs. Now, under Fitzgerald's leadership, the team has attained one of its most successful seasons on record, culminating in his recognition as Baseball America’s 46th College Coach of the Year, marking a first for both the Kansas program and the Big 12 since 2018.
Historic Achievements
The Jayhawks wrapped up the 2026 season ranked 13th in Baseball America’s final Top 25 list. They made history by securing three championships in a single season, clinching the Big 12 regular season title outright, winning the Big 12 Tournament, and hosting their first-ever Lawrence Regional, which they also won to advance to a Lawrence Super Regional. This feat marked only the second time in the last two decades that a team has managed to host both its first regional and super regional in the same season.
Kansas's performance this year paved the way for them to join a select group nationally, being one of only two teams to achieve an outright regular season conference title, a conference tournament title, and a super regional berth in 2026. The team concluded the season with a record of 45-18, equaling the highest win total in school history. They excelled with 22 wins in conference play, 20 victories on the road, and amassed 24 wins outside Lawrence, setting them apart as the only Division I team to achieve at least 45 overall wins, 20 conference wins, and 20 road wins.
“This honor reflects the immense hard work and sacrifices made by so many people,” Fitzgerald remarked, visibly emotional. “This is a recognition not just for me, but for a special place. I can't believe this is happening.”
A Culture of Winning
Before Fitzgerald took over in 2022, Kansas baseball had reached the NCAA Tournament a mere five times over 59 years. The numbers from this recent season are far more than just a little progress. Under Fitzgerald's guidance, the team not only captured its first regular season conference championship in 73 years but also achieved consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances for only the second time in program history.
Kansas baseball got a much-needed boost as it broke through multiple barriers, including securing its second Big 12 Tournament title, the first since 2006. Fitzgerald's program also marked a historical milestone, achieving back-to-back seasons of 43 or more wins, and never before had the team enjoyed consecutive seasons with at least 20 conference wins.
Fitzgerald inherited a program struggling for recognition and credibility, having faced six losing seasons since 2010, a nearly decade-long absence from NCAA Tournament play, and a lack of focus within the athletic department. Rejecting the notion that they needed to mirror wealthier programs, he emphasized building a team with players possessing maturity and previous competitive experience, particularly through a strategy focused on junior college recruits.
Championship Foundations
By heavily incorporating junior college talent, Fitzgerald constructed a roster that stood out in terms of resilience and readiness. This approach not only filled critical gaps in the lineup but also laid the foundation for a championship-caliber program within the Big 12.
The numbers tell a compelling story: Kansas set records for conference wins, overall wins, home runs, slugging percentage, and pitching strikeouts during the season. The team achieved a franchise first by winning seven consecutive Big 12 series and pulled off multiple winning streaks of over ten games—a feat Kansas had never accomplished in a single season. Notably, the team’s .937 winning percentage in April was the best across all NCAA Division I programs.
Over the past two seasons, Kansas has notched 81 regular season wins, outpacing every other team in the Big 12. Fitzgerald has made history himself, becoming the first Kansas head coach to earn national coach of the year accolades and achieving back-to-back Big 12 Coach of the Year awards.
The remarkable turnaround for Kansas baseball has made their previous struggles feel like a distant memory. It's no longer a matter of a one-time surprise; this team has established consistency, having hosted postseason games, claimed the Big 12 outright, and contributed to a historic two-year record for the program.
Fitzgerald still drives past Hoglund Ballpark, noticing the tangible changes that speak volumes about the program's evolution. Such transformations aren't lost on the community or anyone involved—they serve as a testament to what Kansas baseball can achieve under Fitzgerald’s vision.
