Mizzou Baseball is poised for an exciting new chapter with the announcement from head coach Kerrick Jackson that Drew Dickinson has been hired as the Tigers’ new pitching coach. Dickinson brings an impressive resume from his six-year tenure at the University of Virginia, where he solidified his reputation as one of college baseball’s top pitching coaches, guiding the Cavaliers to three College World Series appearances.
Coach Jackson didn’t hold back his enthusiasm, stating, “Drew’s incredible track record speaks for itself. He’s developed elite arms, competed deep into the postseason, and helped build one of the most consistently productive pitching staffs in the country.” Jackson sees Dickinson’s arrival as a bold step toward Mizzou’s goal of reaching Omaha, home of the College World Series, and a signal of the program’s bright future.
A Proven Track Record at Virginia
During his time at Virginia, Dickinson transformed the Cavaliers’ pitching staff into a national powerhouse. From 2021 to 2024, UVA’s team ERA of 4.02 ranked 10th in the nation and led the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The staff racked up over 2,500 strikeouts, placing third in the ACC, and in 2025, they secured the second-best staff ERA in the conference. Under Dickinson’s guidance, Virginia made College World Series appearances in 2021, 2023, and 2024, while producing MLB Draft picks like second-rounder Andrew Abbott (2021) and fifth-rounder Connelly Early (2023).
The 2023 season was a standout, with Dickinson’s staff posting a 3.81 ERA—fourth-best nationally—and excelling in strikeout-to-walk ratio and walks allowed per nine innings. That year, UVA’s pitchers were nearly untouchable in the NCAA regional round, surrendering just five runs, the fewest of any team in the tournament. In 2021, Dickinson’s staff set a program record with 687 strikeouts, leading the ACC and ranking fourth nationally. That same year, Andrew Abbott, under Dickinson’s coaching, transitioned to a starter and led the ACC with 162 strikeouts, while closer Blake Bales was a finalist for NCBWA Stopper of the Year. Five UVA pitchers were drafted in 2021, a testament to Dickinson’s ability to develop pro-level talent.
Beyond performance, Dickinson helped Virginia secure six top-30 recruiting classes, including top-20 classes in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025, as rated by PerfectGame.com. His knack for attracting and developing talent has been a cornerstone of his success.
Building on a Strong Foundation
Before Virginia, Dickinson spent eight seasons at his alma mater, the University of Illinois, where he helped rewrite the program’s pitching records. His Illini pitchers fueled multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and a 50-win Big Ten championship season in 2015. Across his coaching career, Dickinson has mentored two Big Ten Pitchers of the Year, over a dozen All-Americans, and more than 20 professional pitchers, including first-round MLB draft picks Tyler Jay (2015) and Cody Sedlock (2016).
Dickinson himself is no stranger to success on the mound. A two-time All-American and Big Ten Pitcher of the Year at Illinois, he holds the program record for career victories (30) and ranks among the top five in career wins, strikeouts, and innings pitched. Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 2002, he enjoyed a seven-year professional career before transitioning to coaching.
A New Chapter at Mizzou
Dickinson is eager to dive into his new role, saying, “This is an incredible opportunity, and I’m beyond excited to join Mizzou Baseball. This program has a proud tradition of producing high-caliber pitchers, and I can’t wait to build on that legacy while competing in the best baseball conference in the country.” He expressed gratitude to Coach Jackson for the opportunity to shape the future of Mizzou’s pitching staff.
With Dickinson’s arrival, Mizzou Baseball is sending a clear message: the Tigers are building a program ready to compete at the highest level. Fans in Columbia can look forward to seeing Dickinson, his wife Michelle, and their son Drasen become part of the Mizzou family as they work to elevate the Tigers to new heights.
Here’s to a new era of Mizzou Baseball—let’s get those arms firing and aim for Omaha!
