The SEC has officially released its 2016 SEC Baseball legends for the year. Among the four names mentioned was former Arkansas baseball coach Norm DeBriyn.
Joining Coach DeBriyn as a legend is Auburn’s Gabe Gross, Georgia’s Cris Carpenter and Kentucky’s Scott Downs. The SEC picks four former players or coach’s to give the honor to; the last Razorback to be inducted was former first round pick Kevin McReynolds, in the inaugural class of 2012.
Coach DeBryin took over for the Diamond Hogs in 1970 at the age of 28, in the four decades he was the Head Hog in the dug out he built a pretty impressive resume including a runner-up finish in the “College World Series” in 1978 and a career win percentage of .641.
Below is what was said about Coach DeBryin in the press release sent out by the SEC.
"In a head coaching career that spanned four decades, Norm DeBriyn took over as head coach of Arkansas baseball in 1970 at the age of 28. He guided the Razorbacks to two Southwest Conference titles, one Southeastern Conference title, one SEC Western Division title, 15 NCAA Tournament appearances and four NCAA College World Series appearances. The Razorbacks had their best national finish is school history under DeBriyn in 1979 as they finished runner-up in the College World Series. Upon his retirement, DeBriyn ranked 14th all-time in career wins among NCAA Division I head coaches with a record of 1,161-650-6 and a career winning percentage of .641. He still ranks as the University of Arkansas’ all-time victories leader. In 33 years with Razorback baseball, DeBriyn coached 19 All-America selections, six Freshman All-Americans, 58 All-Conference selections and 48 All-Conference Tournament selections. DeBriyn was named SEC Coach of the Year in 1999 and earned SWC Coach of the Year in 1978, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1989 and 1990. He was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and the Razorback Hall of Honor in 1991. He was inducted into the ABCA Hall of Fame in 2003 and is also a member of the Wisconsin-Oshkosh Hall of Fame. Since his retirement from coaching following the 2002 season, DeBriyn has served as a part-time scout for the Colorado Rockies and Associate Director of the Razorback Foundation. He has been instrumental in fundraising for multiple expansions of Baum Stadium. DeBriyn and his wife, the former Caroline Mock of Honolulu, Hawaii, have been married for 44 years. They have two sons, Todd and Marty, one daughter, Carrie Jo, and one grandchild, Carly, who is 13. DeBriyn was ordained a deacon in the Catholic Church in November of 2012, and has been assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church on campus."
Also according to the SEC, “Each legend will be recognized individually throughout the two quarterfinal matchups on Friday(May 13th) and will have on-field recognition and an awards presentation by Commissioner Sankey on Saturday, May 28 during the semifinals of the SEC Tournament. Fans will have an opportunity for autographs and photos with the honorees at the AT&T Legends Pavilion immediately following. The Legends will also participate in the annual SEC Youth Clinic on Friday morning.”
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If the OmaHogs want to see the old Razorback coach honored in person, they’re going to have to get it together in a hurry, as the Hogs are in danger of not even making the SEC tournament this year. As the Hogs are in last place in the West at the time of this writing.
Arkansas has big match ups with Alabama this weekend and Mississippi State the following weekend, and getting wins in those series will be a good step in the right direction.
If you want to read more about the other legends in this class, you can by clicking here.
Woo Pig.