Lincoln -- University of Nebraska baseball coach Mike Anderson announced Friday (July 19) the hiring of Andy Sawyers as an assistant coach with the Husker baseball program. A former player and volunteer assistant at Nebraska, he returns to the Husker program after serving as head coach at Hutchinson Community College for the past two years.

"Andy has quickly built a reputation as a quality coach," Anderson said. "He did an outstanding job at Hutchinson Community College the past two seasons building that program, and we are excited to have him return to the Husker family."

"I'm excited to be back at Nebraska," Sawyers said. "The program has come a long way since I played here, and I'm looking forward to continuing the tradition that has been started here during the past few seasons."

Sawyers said the opportunity to return to Nebraska was something he couldn't pass up. "Knowing the quality of coaches that are here at Nebraska with Coach Anderson and Coach Childress made it an easy decision," Sawyers said. "It was tough leaving the kids I recruited at Hutchinson because of the things we have accomplished over the past two years, but I thought that returning to Nebraska would be a great opportunity."

Anderson said that Sawyers will work in several roles, helping with the hitters, pitchers and catchers. Off the field, he will help with recruiting and serve as an academic coordinator.

"He brings a very diverse background into the program, which made him stand out among the candidates," Anderson said. "Andy has not only played and coached here, but has also been a successful coach at both the Division I and junior college levels. He fit what we were looking for in an assistant coach."

During Sawyers' tenure at Hutchinson CC, the Dragons went a combined 87-30, reaching the postseason in both of his seasons as head coach. In 2001, the program went 40-16 and won the Jayhawk West Sub-Regional. Last season, Hutchinson set a school record with 47 wins and was as high as seventh nationally by the NJCAA. In all, 14 of his players earned all-conference recognition, including a first-team All-American and two Dragons have been drafted, including Aaron Marsden, who transferred to Nebraska and earned first-team All-Big 12 and Big 12 Newcomer-of-the-Year honors in 2002.

Before joining the Dragon staff, Sawyers served as a volunteer assistant coach with the Huskers during the 2000 season, helping Nebraska to a school- record 51 wins and the first NCAA Regional title in school history. Sawyers primarily worked with the catchers and hitters, as Justin Cowan was tabbed a third-team All-American and was a finalist for the Johnny Bench Award, presented to the nation's outstanding collegiate catcher.

Sawyers began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant at Northwestern (La.) State during the 1999 season, helping the Demons to a 38-21 record. Sawyers served as the catchers' coach, and both of his players earned All-Southland Conference honors. Northwestern State set five single-season school records, including most hits and runs scored in a season.

A native of Willits, Calif., Sawyers played at Nebraska for two seasons (1997-98) after beginning his collegiate career at Point Loma Nazarene and Mendocino Junior College. While in the Husker program, he started 76 contests behind the plate, including 59 contests in 1997, when he batted .268. As a senior, Sawyers committed one error in 114 chances and batted .385 in conference play as a senior. Sawyers also set an NCAA and Big 12 record with four sacrifice bunts against Kansas State on April 4, 1998.

Sawyers, who was born on May 24, 1975, received both his bachelor's (1998) and master's (2000) degree from the University of Nebraska and is married to the former Dena Lindeblad.

Andy Sawyers at a Glance
Alma Mater: Nebraska, 1998
Master's Degree: Nebraska, 2000

Coaching Experience
Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, Head Coach 2000-2002 University of Nebraska, Volunteer Assistant Coach, 2000 Kearney (Mo.) River Bandits (MINK League), Head Coach, 1999 Northwestern (La.) State University, Volunteer Assistant Coach, 1999

Playing Experience
University of Nebraska, 1997-98
Mendocino (Calif.) Junior College, 1996
Point Loma (Calif.) Nazarene College, 1994

Personal Information
Date of Birth: May 24, 1975
Wife: Dena