Texas Tech lands Oregon State pitching coach!

Texas Tech hired Oregon State pitching coach Dan Spencer on Monday with hopes that he can help the Red Raiders return to the top of the Big 12 standings.

Spencer helped lead Oregon State to national championships the last two seasons and was also the Beavers' recruiting coordinator. Spencer, an infielder at Tech from 1985 to 1987, will serve as the Red Raiders' associate head coach in charge of pitchers and catchers and as the recruiting coordinator.

"I don't think I'm exaggerating to say that Dan Spencer is the hottest pitching coach in America," said Tech head coach Larry Hays, who recently completed his 21st season. "He really left a lot of money on the table with other [offers]."

Hays said Spencer, 41, turned down head coaching jobs to take the Tech position and said Spencer also had offers to become the pitching coach at other Big 12 schools. Hays said once he retires, he would like to see Spencer take over Tech's program.

"If we do well, that should be a natural result," Hays said. "If we do a good job and he's not the head coach, it would be a crime."

Tech also announced Monday the hiring of assistant coach Trent Petrie, an assistant the last two years at New Mexico. Petrie, 36, was an infielder at Tech in 1992. Petrie will be Tech's infield coach and assist with recruiting.

Tech assistant coach Daren Hays has been reassigned to the director of baseball operations. Volunteer assistant coach Lance Brown, the former TCU head coach who has served as the Red Raiders' pitching coach the last two seasons, will work with outfielders and likely become the bullpen coach, Larry Hays said.

Dallas Morning News.com

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