Andy Sawyers

Alma Mater: Nebraska, 1998
Master's Degree: Nebraska, 2000

Coaching Experience
University of Nebraska, Assistant Coach, 2002-
Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, Head Coach 2000-2002
University of Nebraska, Volunteer Assistant Coach, 2000
Kearney (Mo.) River Bandits (MINK League), Head Coach, 1999
Northwestern (La.) State University, Volunteer Assistant Coach, 1999

Playing Experience
University of Nebraska, 1997-98
Mendocino (Calif.) Junior College, 1996
Point Loma (Calif.) Nazarene College, 1994

Personal Information
Date of Birth: May 24, 1975
Wife: Dena

Andy Sawyers begins his fifth season as an assistant coach in the Nebraska baseball program. A former player and volunteer assistant, he returned to Nebraska in 2003, after serving as head coach at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College for two seasons. Sawyers is the Huskers’ hitting coach and works with the catchers. Off the field, he serves as Nebraska’s recruiting coordinator and academic coordinator. He has also worked with the Husker pitchers at times during his stint at Nebraska.

Sawyers took on additional duties in 2006, serving as the Huskers’ hitting coach. Nebraska’s team batting average of .310 was its best since the 2002 campaign, while the Huskers ranked in the top three of the Big 12 in homers, stolen bases, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. Four hitters earned first or second-team All-Big 12 recognition, including first-team honorees Brandon Buckman, Luke Gorsett and Ryan Wehrle. Both Gorsett and Wehrle earned All-America honors, while Buckman became Nebraska’s 10th CoSIDA Academic All-American in baseball since 1998.

Sawyers’ work was also measured in the continued development of catcher Jeff Christy, who helped NU allow just 39 stolen bases and finish second in the Big 12 with a 3.40 ERA. A 49th-round draft pick out of high school, Christy earned All-Big 12 honors in 2006 and was a sixth-round pick of the Minnesota Twins, where he reached Double-A in just half a season.

In 2005, Sawyers’ coaching versatility was significant in helping Nebraska to its third College World Series appearance in five seasons. With only one healthy scholarship catcher on the roster and none with Division I playing experience, Sawyers tutored a catching corps that allowed a league-low 34 steals, threw out 48 percent of base runners and helped a pitching staff post a 2.69 team ERA, NU’s lowest single-season total since 1969. Offensively, five hitters earned All-Big 12 recognition, including Alex Gordon, who was the consensus national player of the year and the No. 2 overall pick by the Kansas City Royals.

Sawyers played a major role in helping the Huskers remain in the national polls for most of the 2004 season. Four Husker hitters earned All-Big 12 honors, including Big 12 Player of the Year and All-American Alex Gordon. Catcher John Grose was a candidate for the Johnny Bench Award, while Husker catchers allowed a Big 12-low 35 stolen bases. Off the field, Sawyers helped NU recruit its highest-rated class in school history, as the 2004 recruiting class ranked 16th nationally by Collegiate Baseball. Nebraska also enjoyed one of its best academic years in school history, as a school-record nine Huskers were academic All-Big 12 selections.

In 2003, Sawyers played a key role in helping the Huskers capture their second Big 12 title in three years. Matt Hopper, a second-team All-American and Big 12 Player of the Year, and Curtis Ledbetter both earned first-team All-Big 12 honors, as seven hitters earned all-conference recognition. In the classroom, Jeff Leise, who was selected as the CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year, and Aaron Marsden were both named first-team CoSIDA Academic All-Americans.

During Sawyers’ tenure at Hutchinson Community College, the Dragons went a combined 87-30, reaching the postseason in both of his seasons as head coach. In 2001, the program went 40-16 and won the Jayhawk West Sub-Regional. In 2002, Hutchinson set a school record with 47 wins and was ranked as high as seventh nationally by the NJCAA. In all, 14 of his players earned all-conference recognition, including a first-team All-American, and two Dragons were drafted, including Aaron Marsden, who transferred to Nebraska and was a two-time All-Big 12 pitcher.

Before joining the Dragon staff, Sawyers served as a volunteer assistant coach with the Huskers during the 2000 season, helping Nebraska to 51 wins and the school’s first NCAA Regional title. Sawyers primarily worked with the catchers and hitters, as Justin Cowan was tabbed a third-team All-American and was a finalist for the Johnny Bench Award, presented to the nation’s outstanding collegiate catcher.

Sawyers began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant at Northwestern (La.) State during the 1999 season, helping the Demons to a 38-21 record. He served as the catchers’ coach, and both of his players earned All-Southland Conference honors. Northwestern State set five single-season school records, including most hits and runs scored in a season.

A native of Willits, Calif., Sawyers played at Nebraska for two seasons (1997-98) after beginning his collegiate career at Point Loma Nazarene and Mendocino Junior College. As a Husker, he started 76 contests behind the plate, including 59 contests in 1997, when he batted .268. As a senior, Sawyers committed one error in 114 chances and batted .385 in conference play. Sawyers also set an NCAA and Big 12 record with four sacrifice bunts against Kansas State on April 4, 1998.

Sawyers received both his bachelor’s (1998) and master’s (2000) degrees from the University of Nebraska. He and his wife Dena, reside in Lincoln.