Gautreau is in his second season in Starkville, helping guide the Bulldogs to two-straight College World Series appearances. He has also aided in landing nationally ranked recruiting classes both years.
“Jake has done a great job working with our hitters and infielders, along with serving as our recruiting coordinator,” MSU coach Chris Lemonis said in a news release. “He was instrumental in transitioning from one coaching staff to another, helping both teams reach the College World Series.”
Under Gautreau’s guidance, MSU batters notched historic numbers during the 2019 season. The Bulldogs led the NCAA in doubles (166), finished second in hits (755) and ranked fifth in team batting average (.315).
On the recruiting front, MSU has recorded back-to-back top-25 classes despite head coaching changes both years. The 2018 group ranked as high as No. 21 in the country by Perfect Game while the 2019 contingent is a consensus top-15 class and ranks No. 5 nationally by D1Baseball.
Gautreau becomes the second MSU staffer to earn a national assistant coach of the year award, as Lemonis was named the country’s top assistant coach in 2013 by the Baseball Coaches Association/Baseball America during his final year at Louisville.
“Those of us who are around him every day know the type of person he is, how hard he works and how much he cares,” Lemonis said. “And it is nice to see Jake get the recognition he deserves.”
It was also announced Monday that Gautreau will be a member of Conference USA’s inaugural Hall of Fame Class after a standout playing career at Tulane between 1999 and 2001.
Starting all 195 games he appeared in for the Green Wave, he was twice named C-USA Player of the Year and was honored as the conference Player of the Decade in 2005.
Gautreau hit .344 with 275 hits and 58 home runs in his time at Tulane and was selected No. 14 overall in the 2001 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres.
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
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