Jerry Stitt Biography

Jerry Stitt was head baseball coach of the University of Arizona Wildcats for six seasons. He is responsible for putting the program on track for a return to the national elite. Stitt became just the fourth head coach in the past 76 years of Arizona baseball on July 3, 1996, following the retirement of Jerry Kindall.

Stitt had been the Wildcats' associate head coach since 1992. He joined the Arizona coaching staff in 1978 and had worked with the outfielders and as hitting instructor while serving as an assistant. He follows J.F. (Pop) McKale, Frank Sancet and Kindall, as the only head coaches since 1922.

After three last-place finishes in the Pac-10 South, Stitt led the Wildcats to a pair of winning seasons thanks to improved pitching and defense and, under his direct tutelage, the continued success of Arizona hitters.

The Wildcats ranked among the nation's leaders in doubles, triples, homers, runs scored and slugging percentage in 1999, when the squad reached as high as No. 2 in one national poll. Stitt followed that season's success with a stellar 2000 recruiting class, ranked fourth in the nation by Collegiate Baseball. The 2001 team finished with 33 wins.

The Wildcats hit below .300 just three times in his 20 years as batting coach. The Major Leagues are full of hitters who learned from Stitt while at Arizona including Kenny Lofton, J.T. Snow, Casey Candaele, Terry Francona, Jack Daugherty, and Ron Hassey.

Widely regarded as a top hitting coach, the Wildcats batted an impressive .327 under his guidance as an assistant and head coach. Fifty-seven players have been drafted by the Major Leagues during his tenure at Arizona.

Stitt had an outstanding playing career. He was an all-city player at Phoenix Central High School and a first-team ABCA All-American as a center fielder for Arizona in 1968 when he batted .366. Stitt was drafted by the Cleveland Indians and played for three seasons in the minor leagues.

In addition to his bachelors degree in Education, Jerry also earned a masters degree in Education (1973), and a doctoral degree in Educational Administration from the University of Arizona in 1993. His doctoral dissertation presented the case for aligning athletic department goals and objectives with the educational and social mission of our universities.

Some of his accomplishments are:

Only fourth head coach in the past 76 years of University of Arizona baseball
Ranked among the nation's leaders in doubles, triples, homers, runs scored and slugging percentage in 1999
Ranked No. 2 in national poll in 99'
Team hit above .300 17 out of 20 seasons with Stitt as hitting coach
Fifty-seven players have been drafted by the Major Leagues during his tenure at Arizona
Students include Kenny Lofton, J.T. Snow, Casey Candaele, Terry Francona
Composite team batting average of .327 while he was at Arizona
First-team ABCA All-American as a center fielder for Arizona in 1968 when he batted .366
Drafted by the Cleveland Indians
All-city player at Phoenix Central High School
Bachelors degree in Education
Masters degree in Education
PHD in Educational Administration