Michael Earley named Texas A&M Aggies baseball coach

Texas A&M has found its new baseball coach, choosing former hitting coach Michael Earley to replace the departed Jim Schlossnagle.

The Aggies announced the move Sunday , just days after Schlossnagle left for the head-coaching job at Texas. Schlossnagle had guided Texas A&M to the Men's College World Series finals, where they lost to Tennessee in three games last week. He joined the Longhorns the following day, with Earley reportedly also following him to Texas.

But Earley's stay there proved short-lived, as the Aggies brought him back as head coach.

Earley was the Aggies' hitting coach the past three seasons. This past campaign, the team set program records for home runs (136) and walks (422), with the latter the best mark in the nation. Four sluggers -- Braden Montgomery, Gavin Grahovac, Jackson Appel and Jace LaViolette -- earned All-America honors.

"Michael is a very talented coach and recruiter, but what stood out to me was his character and the relationships he has built with his current and former players," Aggies athletic director Trev Alberts said in a statement announcing the move. "During our interview process he was really impressive. I think it helps that he knows our current roster, which finished second in the country, and he also knows Aggieland and the 12th Man. I am excited about the future of Aggie baseball."

Before joining Texas A&M, Earley spent five seasons at Arizona State, including four as the team's hitting coach.

As a player, he starred at Indiana and was selected in the 29th round of the 2010 MLB draft by the Chicago White Sox .

"My family and I couldn't be more excited for this opportunity," Earley said in the statement. "Thank you, [President Mark] Welsh and Trev Alberts for putting your trust in me. Being a part of this University and this program are a dream come true. I will not let you down. See you in Omaha!"