Belton, TX – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor has hired long-time Temple College softball coach Larry Hennig to become the new head coach of the Cru softball program effective August 2nd, UMHB Vice-President for Athletics Ben Shipp announced today. Hennig will replace Kasey Blomquist at UMHB after Blomquist resigned to spend more time with her family.
Hennig comes to UMHB from Temple College, where he started the Leopard softball program 12 years ago. Hennig guided TC to a 519-203 record in those 12 seasons and he coached the Leopards to eight conference championships and three NJCAA National Tournament appearances. He coached 17 All-Americans during his tenure at TC and ranks among the top 25 active softball coaches in the NJCAA in career coaching victories. Hennig was named NFCA Midwest Region Coach of the Year in 2006 after the Leopards were ranked #1 in the nation for four weeks.
“Everything just seemed to come together at the right time for me with this job,” Hennig said. “I have been interested in making a move like this for a while, but it just has never been the right situation. I have known about the UMHB softball program for a while and have seen some of the success they have had. I also know several people that work there and had some interest in the job. Then when I found out that UMHB had some interest in me, a light bulb clicked on and things just seemed right.”
Hennig graduated from Sam Houston State University in 1973 with a degree in education. He earned his Master’s of Education from Tarleton State University in 1988 and also completed his Mid-Management Certification and Superintendent Certification at Tarleton State. Hennig also earned an Associate’s Degree from McLennan Community College in 1971 and he was a baseball letterman for the Highlanders.
“We are very excited to have a coach with Larry’s experience and track record join our staff,” Shipp said. “He has developed an outstanding softball program at Temple College and his record speaks for itself. Larry is a good fit for UMHB and we are excited about the future of our softball program with him as our head coach.”
Hennig also spent eight years as the principal of Troy Middle School prior to joining Temple College. He coached football and taught world history at Temple High School from 1980-1988 and was the head baseball coach at Temple High for five years. Hennig and his wife, Kathy, have one daughter.
Hennig will take over a UMHB program that expects to return 16 letter winners, five starters and two of the top three pitchers from last year’s team next season. The Cru went 26-17 overall and won the American Southwest Conference West Division with a 21-3 league record last year. UMHB advanced to the ASC Championship Tournament for the 11th time in the past 12 seasons and opened the tournament with a 2-1 victory over Louisiana College before falling in the next two games.