Full Release
WEST CHESTER, Pa.- The American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) announced its ABCA/ATEC Regional Coaches of the Year for all levels of collegiate baseball and high school baseball on Tuesday afternoon. After receiving Atlantic Region Coach of the Year for the first time in June 2022 after leading West Chester to its first National Finals appearance since 2017, head coach
Mike LaRosa captured Atlantic Region Coach of the Year honors once again in 2026 after guiding the Golden Rams to the Division II Baseball National Championship game in Cary in 2026.
In his sixth season at the helm of the Golden Rams, LaRosa led West Chester to a program-record 48 wins and an appearance in the Division II Baseball National Championship Series against Tampa after helping the Golden Rams to their third PSAC Championship game appearance in four seasons and their sixth Atlantic Regional Championship in team history. With this 48 wins in 2026, LaRosa eclipsed the 200-win plateau as the head coach of the Golden Rams, becoming just the fourth WCU head coach to win 200 games, while also eclipsing the 400-win plateau for his career as a head coach.
LaRosa and former head coach Jad Prachniak, who he succeeded as head coach, remain the only two ABCA Regional Coach of the Year honorees for WCU. Prachniak was also a two-time winner, recognized in both 2012 and 2017.
About the ABCA
Founded in 1945, the American Baseball Coaches Association is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches at the amateur level. Its over 15,000 members represent all 50 states and 41 countries. Since its initial meeting of 27 college baseball coaches in June 1945, Association membership has broadened to include nine divisions: NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA, Pacific Association Division, High School, Youth and Travel.
About ATEC Sports
ATEC Sports manufactures industry-leading training equipment and machines for elite baseball and softball programs. From training machines to tees, nets and screens, ATEC sets the standard when it comes to equipment today and is the Official Training Equipment of Major League Baseball. You can learn more about all these products – including the revolutionary M3X training machine – at http://atecsports.com.
