Ethan Utley Named LWC Head Baseball Coach

Baseball | Tue, Aug. 10, 2021 at 3:30 PM

Story by: Lindsey Wilson College Athletics

COLUMBIA, Ky. – Ethan Utley has been named the Lindsey Wilson head baseball coach, Lindsey Wilson Athletics Director Willis Pooler announced on Tuesday.  

“Ethan was an obvious choice and we are excited to welcome him back home to Lindsey Wilson College,” Pooler said. “He has a firm grasp of our mission and an understanding and passion for what it is to be a Blue Raider.”

“Ethan is a man of high character and I’m confident in his ability to recruit and mentor our student-athletes,” Pooler added. “I’m even more confident in his ability to ensure that our student-athletes have a great experience on and off the baseball field.

Utley rejoins the Blue Raiders after serving as the head coach at Union (Ky.) last season. In just his first season with the Bulldogs, he guided the program to a 19-27 overall record and a 13-16 mark in the Appalachian Athletic Conference.

“First and foremost, I want to take a moment to thank Union College for the opportunity to lead their program. A special thanks to Tim Curry, Sam Lee, and Clay Butler who played a huge role in guiding me through my first season as a Head Coach,” Utley said. “Union College and the people I encountered in my short time were first class. I will always remember and be incredibly grateful for my time there.”

Utley graduated from Lindsey Wilson with a bachelor’s degree in history in 2013 and later completed his master’s degree in teaching from Cumberlands in 2018.

“I am thrilled to be coming home to Lindsey Wilson College. I want to thank Athletic Director Willis Pooler for the opportunity and investment into the baseball program,” Utley said. “Lindsey Wilson College holds a special place in my heart. As a former Lindsey athlete, coach, and graduate words cannot describe my excitement to return and contribute to the student-athlete experience that helped shape me into the person I am today.”

Utley served as the Lindsey Wilson assistant coach for two seasons before taking the head coach position with Union. His primary focus was with the Blue Raider pitching staff.

Prior to returning to his alma mater, Utley served as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Pikeville for two seasons in 2017 and 2018. In his first season, he helped the Bears record 27 wins, the most wins in a single campaign since the 2000 season. Pikeville matched that win number again in 2018 to account for 52 victories, the most in two years for the program. He helped coach nine all-conference selections and four MSC Gold Glove recipients in his two seasons with the Bears.

Utley has also spent time as an assistant coach with the baseball program at Cumberlands (Ky.) and assisted with the LWC program as a student during the 2012-13 season.

He pitched for the Blue Raiders from 2009-12 while also competing in the Ohio Valley Summer League as a student-athlete.

Utley becomes the seventh head coach in the program’s history, replacing Cody Andreychuk who led LWC the last three seasons.