O’Shea

After his quick thinking helped save former defensive back D.J. Hayden’s life, UH’s head athletics trainer will be recognized by the Southwest Athletic Trainers Association at its annual meeting and clinical symposia in mid-July.

Mike O’Shea will receive the Excellence in Athletic Training Award on July 19 in Houston. O’Shea grabbed the national spotlight after Hayden tore his inferior vena cava — the main vein that carries blood to the heart — in a practice collision. The injury is 95 percent fatal and has never been recorded as a sports injury.

Other members of the training staff, Linda Bobo, Anthony Salinas, Brett Waldon and Monica Jackson, join O’Shea in receiving the SWATA award.

Three Cougars sign MLB deals

Four Cougars were selected in the MLB first-year player draft, and three UH pitchers have signed professional contracts with their professional organizations.

Three Cougars inked professional deals after the MLB draft. | Courtesy of UH Athletics.

Senior Austin Pruitt, who was taken in the ninth round, inked a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. Senior Matt Hernandez signed a contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim after his selection in the 23rd round. Junior Daniel Poncedeleon, the Cougars’ only underclassman who signed a professional deal so far, accepted a deal with the Chicago Cubs after a 14th round selection.

The three pitchers combined for a 21-11 record and were a big part of the baseball team’s 18-game turnaround in 2012.

All will report too soon to low-A baseball. Pruitt is expected to report to Wappingers, N.Y. where he will play with the Hudson Valley Renegades for the A-Short Season. Hernandez and Poncedeleon will both play in the Arizona League for their respective teams.

Top mid-major recruiting class

UH’s sixth-ranked recruiting class — the highest-rated tennis class in Conference USA history — was also named the top haul among mid-major programs by Tennisrecruiting.net.

“Bringing in a great recruiting class is a long way from winning a championship, but it’s a great start,” said head coach Patrick Sullivan. “Last season we had a team that was nationally ranked early in the year but lacked the depth to sustain that ranking. We return five of six starters from that team and with the addition of this very solid incoming class to the mix, we have reason to be very excited about the future of Houston Tennis.”

The class, which includes Despoina Vogasari  from Athens and Rocio Martin Fernandez of Madrid was labeled the nation’s sixth overall class in the early signing period in January.

Vogasari — the highest-ranked player to sign with the Houston women’s tennis program in the last 20 years — will join the Cougars after signing a National Letter of Intent in November for the 2013-14 season. She holds the highest ranking of any junior player in Greece.

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Freshman forward Danuel House was the Cougars’ third-leading scorer in 2012 at 12.4 points per game. He was named C-USA Freshman of the Year. | Justin Tijerina/The Daily Cougar

Thirty minutes after the Cougars’ returned to Houston when their season ended in the College Basketball Invitational, sophomore forward Danuel House was back in the Athletics/Alumni Center shooting jumpers.

After a taste of postseason success and failure — UH defeated Texas in the first round but lost to George Mason in the second — the team has more vigor toward getting better in the offseason, said assistant coach Alvin Brooks.

“The guys’ enthusiasm and work ethic to improve is far superior than the last two seasons,” Brooks said. “Competing with guys in the Big 12, you realize how strong and athletic you have to be to compete. Look at House, freshman of the year in Conference USA, TaShawn (Thomas), first team all conference, neither one of those guys are content.”

The offseason has not been without adversity though.

The Cougars’ leading scorer, junior guard Joseph Young, decided to leave the program. He again followed his father, UH great Michael Young, who will no longer serve as director of basketball operations for the team.

The Cougars can replace Young’s 18 points per game if redshirt sophomore Jherrod Stiggers and sophomore LeRon Barnes emerge as consistent threats on the perimeter, Brooks said. The coaching staff also expects House and Thomas to take another step forward on the offensive end in order to make up the difference.

The team faced similar circumstances last season when leading scorer Jonathon Simmons decided to play professional basketball, leaving a year of eligibility on the table. UH also lost its second-best scorer in Alandise Harris and Darian Thibodeaux— its best defender after their senior season in 2011.

The Cougars went on to win five more games in 2012.

“Last year we lost our two leading scorers and rebounders. It’s not as hard to replace perimeter points as it is for leadership and experience,” Brooks said.

However, in 2014, the circumstances are different.

UH is entering the American Athletic Conference, where they’ll face programs with a rich basketball history and recent NCAA tournament experience like Connecticut, Cincinnati and Temple.

The Cougars begin play in a tougher conference after back-to-back 7-9 finishes in C-USA play. And there won’t be any easy wins against the C-USA cellar teams.

To legitimately compete in their new conference, the Cougars need several players to take another developmental step, including Thomas who is moving into his junior season.

The coaching staff wants Thomas, whose diverse skill set allows him to score with his back to the basket and use his ball handling skills to lead the fast break, to operate in the midpost area and spread the floor by taking more free throw line jumpers.

“The thing we want him to do is to step out on the floor,” said head coach James Dickey. “We don’t want him down low with his basket all the time. As good a rebounder as he is, we want him to be even better.”

Dickey said House needs to get better on the defensive end and become a better rebounder before the season begins.

The Cougars also think they’ve solved the point guard position, a problem that has plagued the team for a few years, with a combination of senior Tione Womack and freshman Jaaron Simmons.

Even with the increased competition of their new conference, loss of their leading scorer and higher expectations in this administration’s fourth season at UH, the coaching staff is still optimistic about what can be accomplished in 2014.

“This is the first time since we’ve been here that we don’t have to re-teach our system. We’ve had struggles at the point guard position and experience. I think both of those issues are resolved,” Brooks said.

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The only game left to decide will be against Cincinnati on Nov 23., as UH is still in negotiation with the Rice Athletic Department officials. The location of the game is set to be announced when the stadium contract is signed.

“We are appreciative of BBVA Compass Stadium and the Houston Dynamo for letting us call their state-of-the-art facility our home for one Saturday this fall,” said Mack Rhoades, the vice president for Intercollegiate Athletics. “The facility provides an intimate location for our fan base without a bad seat in the house, giving our fans the opportunity to provide a raucous home field advantage. The game day experience will be truly exciting as the stadium’s location and 11 a.m. kickoff gives us the opportunity to hold a block party and fan fest throughout the day.

“We also would like to thank the Rice Athletics Department for its cooperation as we complete the process to hold our game against Cincinnati at Rice Stadium on Nov. 23.”

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With 36 victories in 2013, the Cougars made an 18-win increase from their total in 2012.  |  Justin Tijerina/ The Daily Cougar

His team hasn’t set foot on the diamond in a few weeks, but head coach Todd Whitting speaks with an enthusiasm that would imply he booked a trip to the College World Series.

Whitting cannot mask his enthusiasm and it isn’t hard to figure out why. Thirty-six wins, a national ranking for the first time since 2008, the best non-conference record since 1994, four players drafted, and two players named Freshman All-Americans by Louisville Slugger, were the results of the Cougars’ last season.

“When I talk about unfinished business, I’m talking about playing in Omaha, for the College World Series,” Whitting said. “We’re not as far away from that as we were three years ago. We just have to keep keep signing great players while developing the players we have.”

Before a single pitch was thrown in the 2013 season, the team lost senior infielder Casey Grayson and senior outfielder Jacob Lueneburg, to season-ending injuries.

“If you would have told me at the beginning of the year that we would win 36 games without those two guys I would’ve said no way,” Whitting said.

The season started on a tear as the Cougars hit 20 wins before anyone could tell what was going on. The Cougars never growled louder than they did at Cougar Field, where they put up a 23-9 record.

The Cougars 36-22 record is an 18-game improvement from 2012 and is an example of the competitive selection process for the the NCAA tournament. Had they been a football team, they would have earned a spot in a bowl game.

Whitting’s devotion to the program stems from both dedication to his job and the fact that he is a UH alumnus.

“For me, as an alum of the University of Houston, I’ve been to Omaha, it’s a great experience. I want everybody involved in this program to be able to have that experience of watching the Coogs play in Omaha.”

To him, the success of this season, while allowing him immense pride in his club, is both the rumblings of something bigger and the harbinger of high expectations. While amassing 36 wins with a fleet of freshman and transfer students, he knows the 2014 season will have higher expectations.

“The expectation level is raised, but my expectation every year is to go to the NCAA tournament,” Whitting said. “I think it’s going to be a ballclub of a lot of confidence. The team sees what their goal is and that it’s not unattainable.”

While expectations will always be present, so will the impending aura of the MLB and its siren song of millions of dollars to be had playing professionally.

Whitting and his assistant coaches are in the midst of the recruiting flurry, working both roads and phones pursuing the potential men of the 2014 and 2015 seasons. Described as a cycle, you would think he’d sound tired, but instead he sounds like he already has days on the calendar marked off until the games start up again next season.

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“We are very excited to have the first American Athletic Conference championship at FedExForum,” Aresco said. “We received significant interest from many outstanding venues. FedExForum is an outstanding facility and the forum, the city of Memphis and the local community will combine to create a wonderful inaugural event that our teams, coaches, administrators and fans will embrace and enjoy.”

March 12 – 15 will be the dates for the 2014 championship. The finale will be televised on March 15 on ESPN. The first two tournament games will be played, March 12. The two quarterfinal doubleheaders will be played on, March 13, followed by a semifinal doubleheader that Friday.

New voice

UH has named sports broadcasters and alumni Kevin Eschenfelder and Matt Thomas as the new voices for the football and basketball teams.

UH alumnus Jeremy Branham, who is the play-by-play voice for women’s basketball and baseball, will be named to the radio team as a sideline reporter for football.

Ted Pardee and hall of famer Elvin Hayes will both return as color commentators.

“It was obvious who we wanted to fill the roles. We are extremely excited to add Kevin, Matt and Jeremy to our Houston IMG Sports Network team,” said Mack Rhoades, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics. “All three are Houston alums, call our great city their home and have been great friends of our program throughout the years.”

Eschenfelder, who is a 1990 UH-Clear Lake graduate with more than 20 years of radio and television experience, will be in his first year with Comcast Sportsnet Houston and is the host of SportsTalk Live, and the weekly-hour show, The Tony Levine Show.

“I am really pumped and ready to get going with the University of Houston,” Eschenfelder said. “I grew up following the Houston Cougars and have been a fan of the program all my life. My childhood hero was former Houston great Danny Davis; this truly is a dream come true. This is thrilling that I get to be a part of the Houston experience, and I am counting down the days until Aug. 30.”

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With senior running back Charles Sims leaving the program, more will be expected from sophomore running back Ryan Jackson. | File Photo/The Daily Cougar

After losing some talent and leadership on defense — D.J. Hayden and Phillip Steward from 2012 have gone to the NFL — the offense may need to carry more of the load, but it will have to do it without one of its best players.

On May 22, redshirt senior running back Charles Sims broke the news to his fans of his departure.

“It is with regret and deep humbling that I am ending my playing career at the University of Houston,” Sims said in a statement. “I don’t know what my next step will be. I have one more year of eligibility, therefore I may look to play (one) more year of college football, or I may enter the NFL Supplemental Draft later this year.”

Although he was injured for three regular season games in 2012, Sims was an exceptional player on the Cougars’ offense, as he ran for 851 yards to go along with 11 touchdowns.

The Cougars struggled without Sims in the backfield as they went 1-4 in his absence.

He wasn’t only effective running the ball, he was also a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield, too. Sims caught 37 passes for 373 yards for three more touchdowns.

Sims was dynamic in the pass protection as well. In the Air-Raid offense, the running backs also have to help keep the quarterback upright on blitzes, especially for a team that passes the ball more than 65 percent on offense.

Although Sims’ departure is a big loss for the offense and his presence would have taken pressure off the quarterback position, the Cougars are not in total disarray, as they have two other running backs that are capable of carrying the load.

Sophomore running backs Kenneth Farrow and Ryan Jackson performed well with their playing time in 2012, said head coach Tony Levine in April.

“We didn’t have that type of confidence earlier in the season,” Levine said. “But now as we’re moving forward, we certainly do with Jackson and Farrow, who gained so much experience as freshmen.”

Farrow, who is a bigger player than Sims and can run effectively between the tackles, ran for 466 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson has breakaway speed and ran for 252 yards and three touchdowns.

As for Sims, no one knows what his next plans are for sure.

The 6-foot-1 running back Houston native could enter the supplemental draft or immediately transfer to another program and play without sitting out a full season. He was granted a release, but there were restrictions placed on his transfer.

However, the Cougars will be forced to move on and continue with their current running backs.

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Chadwell

A new chapter in athletics is beginning as UH welcomes a women’s golf program, which becomes a full member of the American Athletic Conference in 2014-15.

The startup program will be led by first-year coach Gerrod Chadwell, who realizes there are challenges, like recruiting, ahead for a program without a history.

“It’s obviously hard to sell something that you can’t physically see, touch or feel. So you are asking players to take a bit of a leap of faith,” he said.

The self-described “player’s coach” is hoping his personality and previous success will be enough to draw recruits to the University. Chadwell said he would try to emphasize his ability to improve a player’s stroke average while at Oklahoma and Redlands Community College.

His track record speaks for itself.  He led Redlands to back-to-back NJCAA national championships in 2008 and 2009, followed by a third place finish in 2010. While an assistant for the Sooners, the program advanced to three consecutive NCAA Regional appearances in 2011, 2012 and 2013. His 2012 team also was crowned Big XII champion and went on to place sixth in the NCAA championships.

He could also point out the same things that brought him to the nation’s fourth largest city.

Chadwell found it hard to pass up the great weather and the ability to play year round, he said. This coupled with an administration that wants golf to be important and not just another sport to meet Title IX requirements was enough to convince Chadwell to make the move from Oklahoma, he said.

He also stressed how critical of a role the success of the men’s program has on his recruiting early. With a men’s program that is coming off a Conference USA team and individual championship, the timing couldn’t be more perfect for Chadwell.

UH’s golf history was certainly the selling point for Director of Golf Jonathan Dismuke when he first arrived on campus in 2009. Embracing the past helped Dismuke elevate the program. Chadwell will look to do the same.

“We recruited some good kids who wanted to be a part of the rebuilding process,” Dismuke said in May. “My first recruiting class took us from 105th in the nation to a top 25 program in the nation.”

Chadwell hopes that the storied program’s rich history and winning tradition will carry over to the women’s side early and often. He will start the process with UH’s first two women’s golf recruits, Emily Gilbreath and Kelli Rollo.

The men’s golf team has won 16 team national championships, which is second in NCAA history, and eight individual titles. Cougar red has been worn by the likes of Fred Couples, Steve Elkington, Bruce Lietzke, John Mahaffey, Bill Rogers, Billy Tuten and Blaine McCallister.

While the Cougars’ new coach tries to be realistic in his expectations early on, that fails to stand in the way of his competitive nature.

“I want to be competitive early on and compete in the postseason and for conference titles,” he said.

UH Athletics Director Mack Rhoades believes in Chadwell’s vision.

“His previous coaching achievements on the course speak for themselves and equally impressive are the academic achievements his former student-athletes have accomplished,” Rhoades said in a statement.

If Chadwell continues with the same attitude and couples it with great work ethic, it could prove to be a winning combination.

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Senior midfielder Turner Harris served as vice president of the SGA while president of the lacrosse team. | Courtesy of Turner Harris

When midfielder Turner Harris transferred to UH, he still wanted to play the sport he competed in at the NCAA level at his previous university.

He discovered that UH’s club lacrosse team disbanded in 2006 and decided to help reinstate the program.

“There wouldn’t have been a team if it wasn’t for Turner,” said junior defenseman Tim Hilbe.

Harris, the team president in 2012, was a state champion at Cy-Fair High School and played NCAA lacrosse at Nazareth College in Rochester, N.Y.

He left Nazareth to spend more time focusing on his academics but still had an interest in the game when he returned to Texas in 2010.

Harris, a supply chain and logistics technology senior, is well known at the University for his time served as Student Government Association vice president, but amongst his lacrosse teammates, he’s an important part of the team.

“He was one of our top midfielders and was third on the team with goals and assists. That’s a lot of points that wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for him,” Hilbe said.

Former SGA Vice President Turner Harris and newly-elected SGA Vice President Rani Ramchandani joked that they coordinated footwear. | Natalie Harms/The Daily Cougar

Hilbe said Harris is a committed player who works hard at practice. He knows there is a time and place to joke around.

“Turner has an amazing lacrosse I.Q. also. It’s almost like having a coach on the field playing with you at all times,” Hilbe said.

In the program’s first year back, 11 players received postseason awards from the Lone Star Alliance Conference of the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association despite a 14-10 loss to Sam Houston State University in the Division II Conference Finals in April. Freshman attacker Steven Hartshorn was awarded Rookie of the Year and alumnus Justin Rich was awarded Coach of the Year.

“Well, (lacrosse is) just a sport, but I take it pretty seriously. I’m also an assistant coach for Houston Christian High School varsity lacrosse, and I started my own high school travel team for the summers. I enjoy the Texas lacrosse community and can see myself coaching and playing for as long as my body allows,” Harris said.

Harris said all of the players have become good friends and spend a lot of time together outside of practice and school. The campus politician said the skills learned through lacrosse will help him off the field too.

“I believe the skills you obtain while being involved in a team sport do transfer into your professional life. I suppose it helps you understand the importance of a team and how to accomplish a shared goal,” Harris said.

In the future, Harris hopes UH’s move to the American Athletic Conference, formerly the Big East, opens the door for lacrosse as a NCAA sport.

“I would love to see men’s and women’s lacrosse as the next NCAA sport UH picks up, it would make us more competitive amongst schools in the (American Athletic Conference),” Harris said.

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Redshirt junior running back Charles Sims was named second-team All Conference. | Justin Tijerina/The Daily Cougar

Former UH star running back Charles Sims, who was released from the University last week, will be allowed to transfer to another school, but not without a few conditions, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Sims, who was projected to be a big part of the Cougars’ offense in 2013, will not be allowed transfer to any other Texas university or any other school within the Cougar’s new conference, the American Athletic Conference.

Sims is still undecided on where he plans to take his talents. Another option for Sims is to wait it out to boost his stock for the NFL supplemental draft this summer. According to NFLDraftScout.com, Sims is currently the fifth-best prospect at the running back position for the draft.

“We appreciate and thank Charles for his hard work and contributions to our program during the last four years,” said UH head coach Tony Levine in a statement. “We wish him and his family all the best.”

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Senior receiver Dewayne Peace, was the Cougars’ leading pass catcher in 2012 | File photo/ The Daily Cougar

The Cougars may have lost another key component on offense. Senior receiver Dewayne Peace is academically ineligible and no longer with the team, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Last season, Peace served a three-game suspension for violation of team rules. Nevertheless, he led the team with 54 catches for 602 yards and two touchdowns.

Peace was not a projected starter. He practiced with the second team during the spring.

Arizona added to ’17, 18 slate

UH and Arizona have agreed to play in 2017 and 2018, the programs announced Tuesday.

The Cougars will travel to Tucson, Ariz., in 2017. The following year the Wildcats will visit the Cougars.

“Our department is committed to scheduling quality non-conference opponents and this type of match up is one that rewards both our team and our fans,” said Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Mack Rhoades.

Boise transfer added

Lee Hightower, a defensive back who transferred from Boise State, joined the program Monday.

Hightower started 11 of 15 games in his last two seasons at Boise. Hightower served suspension from his former team for violating team rules in 2012. He will have to sit out this season but will have two years of eligibility left.

Staff changes

Dallas Blacklock, who spent the last two seasons as head football coach at Sharpstown High School, was announced as the football program’s director of high school relations.

Tory Teykl was also named the associate director of operations. She was a part of UH’s athletics marketing department.

Aubrey Coleman was the leading scorer for the Cougars for two seasons after he transferred in 2008. | File photo/ The Daily Cougar

Aubrey Coleman found himself back at the University where he starred as a player, except now he is coaching others to reach their basketball goals.

Coleman returned to the UH Athletics/Alumni building to train a handpicked group of talented athletes in basketball fundamentals on June 3.

In 2010, he finished the season as the nation’s leading scorer and helped the Cougars land in the NCAA tournament for the first time in nearly two decades.

Coleman still fondly recalls his time at UH.

“It’s nice coming home. People show a lot of love here and recognize me. Not just at the University.  If I’m out somewhere, they recognize me because we had a good run,” Coleman said.

Coleman had a long way to travel to get home this offseason. After playing for the New Orleans Hornets in the 2010 NBA Summer League, Coleman competed overseas in Italy and France. The European style of play and life on the road required some adjustments, but Coleman said he has capitalized on his opportunities to learn and improve.

“To me, it’s a higher level over there (than college). As far as guys, they may look like they can’t play, but they can shoot the ball and know the game.”

Coleman’s work ethic has attracted the attention of a small and dedicated group of athletes, hoping to benefit from his experience.

“They all contacted me saying ‘we know what you did, we want help from you,’” Coleman said. “Basically, we’re just doing stuff that I do for myself in the summer. I have been getting a lot of feedback and people wanting me to train them.”

One of Coleman’s students is former University of Nevada, Las Vegas star forward Darris Santee. Santee is now a forward with Sweden’s Eco Orebro and a longtime friend who said that the former Cougar has long exhibited a willingness and ability to instruct.

“I’ve (known) Aubrey for a long time, since about ninth grade. I’ve seen him go from being nothing to transforming his game and being an elite player,” Santee said.

“(Aubrey) wanted to give back and show players how he did it and show them the way.”

Everyone at the Athletics/Alumni Center on Monday came to follow Coleman’s lead and work hard at improving their game.

The dozen-strong group featured former college standouts, current overseas pros and a few aspiring college athletes. Coleman strode briskly around the shooting and conditioning drills, taking video on his cell phone, which he will later break down and use to hone in on each individual’s weaknesses.

The energy in the gym was high and Coleman kept it that way, with the drills, shouting “tempo” and calling out advice and encouragement. Coleman was zeroed in, already intimately aware of the ins and outs of every athlete’s game.

“It’s just the experience I’ve been through, even off-the-court stuff, making sure you’re on time for workouts, making sure you’re professional, guys you’re working with, trying to learn their names,” Coleman said.

“It’s the small stuff you don’t think is important,” Coleman said. “That can be the difference between you making the team or not.”

As the gym cleared out, Coleman called out last words of encouragement to his departing students, then picked up a few cones and stacked them before abruptly grabbing a ball sitting just outside the three-point arc, facing up to the basket, pump-faking, driving left hard, and pulling up to sink a 20-footer that hit nothing but the bottom of the net.

“Teaching helps my ability to learn,” Coleman said. “I’m getting a couple of looks, like the Boston Celtics are still interested in me, and the Milwaukee Bucks may bring me to summer league. But if not, I’m going to continue to train and tighten my jumper up.”

He joined CSN Houston when it began broadcasting in October after more than 20 years with Fox Sports Net, continuing as the face that fans of the Rockets and Astros have seen before and after games for 18 seasons.

Kevin Eschenfelder

“I had a guy I knew in high school tell me, ‘You’re the only guy who for as long as I’ve known you knew what you wanted to do and you’re doing it.’ For that, I’m so grateful,” Eschenfelder said.

Even in high school, when Eschenfelder interned at Home Sports Network and Newsradio 740 KTRH, he had the passion for the profession.

“I would just keep coming to work — I didn’t get paid. But I would keep coming to work for a year and a half and nobody ever said anything. Everybody thought I worked there except for the people in the sports department.”

Eschenfelder’s passion burgeoned as a child from watching his father.

While Eschenfelder was in elementary school, his dad was a statistician and spotter for the Houston Oilers, allowing him to sit in the radio press box while watching and learning from professionals.

However, his employer’s transition to the Houston market hasn’t been as dreamy.

CSN Houston, which hosts the Tony Levine Show during the football season, is still searching for a distribution deal with national carriers such as DirecTV, Dish Network and AT&T U-verse or regional carriers such as Suddenlink and Time Warner Cable.

Now, only 40 percent of Houstonians can watch any programming that the network features, and CSN Houston isn’t profiting, said Astros owner Jim Crane.

“Without coverage, the network is not making money and so without the other (carriers) signing up and paying, there are things that can happen as the entity draws down on its credit,” Crane said to the Houston Chronicle in May. “As that goes on, we run out of money, and we are going to have to make some tough decisions.”

Still, Eschenfelder said he didn’t think twice about joining the upstart company, which has focused on covering regional sports, including UH. In addition to the Tony Levine Show — a 30-minute weekly television show — CSN Houston also broadcasts Levine’s weekly press conference, The James Dickey Show, and The Todd Buchanan show.

Working at CSN Houston allows him to continue covering the teams that he has watched his entire life and the university he attended. CSN Houston’s top-notch facilities didn’t hurt either, he said.

CSN producer and UH graduate Josh Young said Eschenfelder and he don’t separate what they enjoy from work.

“When I go home, it’s not like I ignore sports. It’s what I do,” Young said. “But it’s fun to come to work everyday knowing that I enjoy what I do. I couldn’t imagine working at some law firm and have a paper due at the end of the month.”

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Joseph, who led his team in scoring with more than 18 points per game and helped UH advance to the quarterfinals of the CBI tournament in 2012, will also leave the program.

“Joseph is dealing with it fine,” Michael said to the Chronicle. “He made his decision, and I guess he loves his dad more than he loves the University of Houston. He made a statement to me that he can’t play for a coach that doesn’t want his dad to be a part of the staff.”

Michael, who is a Phi Slama Jama member and director of basketball operations, rejected the offer to serve more of a community service role with the UH Athletics Department after his contract was due to expire Friday. Joseph, who is a redshirt junior guard for the Cougars, also plans to leave with his father.

“James Dickey doesn’t want me to be part of his coaching staff anymore,” Michael said to the Houston Chronicle. “He wanted to go in another direction. I was offered an alternative position. I refused it, and I’ve moved on from the University of Houston.”

Head coach James Dickey said he expected Michael to remain with UH after signing his new contract earlier this week.

“With his contract ending May 31, Michael was offered, accepted and signed a new contract earlier this week at the same compensation beginning June 1 with new responsibilities inside the Athletics Department,” Dickey said to the Chronicle. “Since that agreement, I have not spoken further with Michael about his new contract.”

Although he and son will leave the Cougars, Michael’s daughter, Mayorca Young, who is a sophomore sprinter, is still currently part of UH.

Michael, who was accompanied with players such as Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler under their recently inducted Basketball Hall of Fame coach Guy V. Lewis at UH, advanced to back-to-back national championships in ’83 and ’84.

After his days at UH, Michael played in the NBA, the CBA and in Europe. After his playing stints, he joined the men’s basketball staff at UH and became the strength and conditioning coach from 1999 to 2008; the assistant coach in ’03; director of operations and performance enhancement from 2004 to 2010; and in his final position, as the director of basketball operations that began in ’10.

“I will always be a Cougar, but I’m disappointed,” Young said.

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It would have been the Cougars 37th win of the season at the Championships had they not suffered a 3-2 loss to Tulane.

“It’s baseball. It’s a tough sport. It’s a tough game.” said head coach Todd Whitting.

The Cougars could not overcome their rough hits-to-runs ratio. In Saturday’s game they put up nine hits, but only scored two runs. In Friday’s 4-2 loss to Southern Miss, the Cougars scored only two runs on 12 hits.

“We have a really good team, we just didn’t play well the last two games,” Whitting said. “We didn’t catch any breaks and we basically gave a game to Tulane. I don’t feel they did one thing to win the game.”

Post-loss anger and disappointment aside, the Cougars put up numbers for the three-day weekend that were better than one win would illustrate.

UH had 34 hits in three games, but couldn’t get timely hits to change the course of the game.

Junior outfielder Landon Appling went 5-11 for the series with a stolen base. Sophomore outfielder Michael Pyeatt stretched his on-base streak to 16 games and freshman outfielder Kyle Survance stole his 20th base of the year, the first time a Cougar has stolen more than 20 bases since 2011.

The Cougars’ starting pitchers was 1-2 on the weekend but never surrendered more than four earned runs in any of the trio of games. Senior right-hander Austin Pruitt, in what could be his last collegiate game, picked up his 10th win of the season on Friday. Junior right-hander Chase Wellbrock appeared in two of the three games, striking out five in 4.3 innings and not allowing an earned run.

“Through the first six innings, that was probably the best I’ve ever pitched in my life,” said freshman right-hander Jake Lemoine. “Unfortunately in the seventh inning, things went South for me.”

Lemoine started the finale of the series and allowed only two runs in 6.1 while striking out three. He was in-tune enough on the mound to retire sixteen consecutive Tulane batters.

Tulane, through hits and a walk was able to put runners on base and push two runs across the plate. From there, and with the aid of an error, scored the go ahead third run.

“That was the best outing he’s had all year. He was absolutely outstanding today,” Whitting said of Lemoine’s effort. “A couple breaks here and there and we win that game. It just didn’t happen for us today, we didn’t catch any breaks all weekend.”

Despite the less than fortuitous outcome, Whitting said he was proud of the season they had put together.

“When you step back, this team has dealt with a lot of things on and off the field. They’re pretty resilient. They play hard and I’d like to see any team in the country come back from the injuries and the (MLB) draft and still win 36 games,” Whitting said. “You’ve got to tip your hat to them.”

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Timely hits by the Golden Eagles and some baserunning and defensive miscues by the Cougars slowed down their momentum.

Numerically speaking, it seemed like the Cougars were in line for a game of seven runs or more as they racked up 12 hits, but that was not case as the Golden Eagles recorded four double plays. In addition to stellar Golden Eagle defense, the Cougars stranded eight runners over the course of the game. Overly aggressive base running also created several costly outs.

“When you turn four double plays you’re giving yourself a great chance to win,” said head coach Todd Whitting.  We did things today that we didn’t do all year long. It’s a bad time to do it, but that’s the way it goes.”

Starter Daniel Poncedeleon lasted 6.2 innings, surrendering four earned runs. Relievers Matt Hernandez Chase Wellbrock finished out the game, with neither allowing a run.

Junior infielders Frankie Ratcliff and Jonathan Davis both went 3-4. For the Ratcliff, the game marked his 16th multiple hit game of the 2013 season. Sophomore outfielder Michael Pyeatt knocked in an RBI, with the other runs coming off of errors

Southern Miss put up two runs over the first two innings with the Cougars matching them in the fourth. The teams traded scoreless fifth and sixth innings before the Golden Eagles came back to pick up two more in the top of the seventh. Despite the stumbles, Whitting said team played hard and never quit, even if the ratio of hits to runs scored didn’t go the Cougars way.

With a match against season rival Tulane on Saturday, the Cougars still have more on the line than advancing in the C-USA tournament.

“It’s a big game for us, because we’re still in the mix for a NCAA regional bid. If things work out for us the rest of this tournament and we get to win number 37 I don’t see a reason why we don’t go,” Whitting said. “We have a regional type ball club we have a really young, but good team.”

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The Cougars pointed out how important it is for a team to take their debut game, especially when a team is playing for their life with every game.

“You always want to get that first win under your belt,” said senior Austin Pruitt. “The defense played incredible even if I wasn’t hitting my spots too well.”

Falling behind 3-0 in the first inning, the Cougars rallied to score nine runs on 13 hits and were bolstered by Pruitt’s a complete game. The righthander’s complete game was of great importance, Whitting said. He stressed that having to go to the bullpen early in a seeded tournament can be deadly to a team’s chances.

“They don’t ever quit,” said head coach Todd Whitting after the game. “They’re very mentally tough and there was a lot of game left. I’m proud of my guys. We got a few clutch hits and played great defense.”

“That was the Austin Pruitt we know,” Whitting said.

After ECU’s first inning outburst, the Cougars rebounded for four runs in the top of the third inning and never relinquished the lead. Along with Montemayor, fellow freshman and infielder Josh Vidales knocked in two runs. Six different batters knocked in runs during the game, giving Pruitt a cushion to work with, who only allowed one run after the first inning.

Aggressive Cougar baserunning also helped to shift the tide in their favor as junior outfielder Landon Appling and freshman outfielder Kyle Survance both stole bases.

“Our goal every game is to get ten runs and ten hits, so we know we’re going to come out and get hits,” Montemayor said. “Pruitt pitched great today — phenomenal.”

Now 1-0, the Cougars will take on the Golden Eagles of Southern Mississippi on Friday at 3 p.m. at Reckling Park.

“We just settled down and got in the groove. In this type of tournament, if you don’t win game one, it’s hard to advance,” Whitting said.

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Charles Sims stiff-arms a would be tackler.

Update: Charles Sims releases a statement to CougarsDen.com

“It is with regret and deep humbling, that I am ending my playing career at the University of Houston. I have a lot of great memories that I will carry with me forever. I want to thank the University of Houston for allowing the opportunity to be a part of its football program.

I have worked extremely hard while I have been here at U of H and made every attempt to carry myself in a manner that would reflect the utmost integrity upon the school and this program.

I don’t know what my next step will be. I have one more year of eligibility, therefore I may look to play (1) more year of college football or I may enter the NFL Supplemental Draft later this year.

My family and I will continue to discuss my options and we will make a decision in the near future.”

The Cougars’ leading rusher senior Charles Sims is weighing his options about his football future, the University announced.

Rivals.com reports that Sims is leaving the program.

“We congratulate Charles on receiving his degree last week and becoming a Cougar for life. He has been a leader for our program both on and off the field with a number of accomplishments,” said UH head coach Tony Levine.

Sims, a potential first or second round pick, rushed for 851 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. He missed five games and the Cougars compiled a 1-4 record in his absences.

UH had no further comment.

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The Cougars nabbed a victory with a 7-5 win against Army, but dropped an elimination contest against South Carolina.

 “Only one team can end the season without a loss,” said head coach Kyla Holas in a statement. “It’s one of those things that is hard to take, but we’ve got a great group returning and we’re really excited for them. I’m really going to miss those seniors — Reina, Holly and Julia. They’ve been fantastic to work with and I’m disappointed for them that the season is ending today.”

Although the Cougars season is now finished, they reached the 40-win mark, which only four UH softball teams have accomplished, as they posted a 41-20 record.

“We still had another 40-plus win season with 20 losses or less,” Holas said. “As long as we keep doing what we’re known for and what we take pride in, hopefully this next class will be rewarded and go even farther. We’ll build off this season and be better next year because of this.”

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Chadwell

On June 1, UH will have a leader for its women’s golf program, the University announced Monday.

Gerrod Chadwell, currently the assistant coach for the women’s golf team at Oklahoma, will be the first UH women’s golf head coach.

UH Athletics Director Mack Rhoades said he wanted to bring in someone who had the experience to build a quality program. Rhoades said Chadwell rose to the top of his mind during the selection process.

“When we began the search process, we focused on selecting an individual who is highly regarded in the industry, an exceptional fit with our core values and operating principles, created a dynamic vision for building a nationally competitive program and has experienced great success as a coach, recruiter and mentor of student-athletes,” Rhoades said in a statement.

Jonathan Dismuke, director of golf, said he is glad to have Chadwell because of the trail of success that has followed him and his ability to push his athletes to make them a great group.

“Everywhere he has coached, his student-athletes have developed and matured as competitors and as young women, and that translates into overwhelming team success at the highest level,” Dismuke said.

During his time at Oklahoma, he was a part of teams that advanced to three consecutive NCAA Regionals from 2011-2013. In 2012, he mentored Oklahoma’s first NCAA national champion in Chirapat Jao-Javanil, who won the title by four strokes with a 6-under-par effort.

At UH, Chadwell will work with incoming freshmen Emily Gilbreth and Kelli Rollo during the 2013-2014 season before the program competes with full team membership in 2014-2015.

“When you look at the history of the men’s program, it also can be done on the women’s side, and I am looking forward to getting started,” Chadwell said.

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The final three holes really seemed to plague the No. 5 seed Cougars, as they posted a combined score of 8-over-par during that stretch.

This was the Cougars’ second consecutive appearance at the NCAA Regionals. Last season, they finished ninth at the NCAA Athens Regional.

Tying for 12th overall, junior Curtis Reed. Reed posted an overall score of 5-over-par, at The University Club. Sophomore Kyle Pilgrim posted the team’s lowest round of the day with a 74 and tied for 14th at 222. It was Pilgrim’s first NCAA Regional appearance.

Sophomore Roman Robledo, the reigning Conference USA individual champion tied for 45th at 231.

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