RiverHawks Coaching Staff
Published on February 14, 2012 under Frontier League (FL)
Rockford RiverHawks News Release
LOVES PARK, Ill. - Rockford RiverHawks manager Richard Austin will bring back both his coaches from last season and add a coach to the staff.
The RiverHawks announced their 2012 coaching staff on Tuesday. Austin will be joined on the staff by hitting coach Patrick O'Sullivan and pitching coach Scott Roehl, both incumbents, as well as Justin Small.
Austin, O'Sullivan and Roehl each finished their playing careers with the RiverHawks two years ago. Austin said the familiarity with the two benefits team chemistry.
"We were all veterans on that 2010 squad and being able to break in as coaches all at once, getting that crash course, allowing us to get experience together, all that will help us prepare," Austin said.
O'Sullivan had a career .317 batting average with 200 home runs - at the time of his retirement, he was 13th on the active minor-league list. The New York Mets picked O'Sullivan in the 34th round of the 1999 draft and spent much of his 12-year career in the Class AAA Mexican League and in domestic independent leagues as a professional hitter. O'Sullivan hit at least 20 home runs in five straight seasons, 2004-08.
O'Sullivan played collegiately for three years at NAIA Freed-Hardeman University and a year at Austin Peay State. He was a two-time all-conference and all-region selection and was named an NAIA All-American in 1998 as well as the Tennessee Small College Player of the Year. O'Sullivan was inducted into the FHU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.
"Pat brings a lot of knowledge of the game and a lot of contacts, a lot of relationships he's built over the years he's played," Austin said. "It's definitely been a plus having him with the organization as we acquire players for the upcoming season."
Roehl, Cleveland's 10th-round pick in the 2003 draft, had a 28-27 record, 56 saves and a 3.38 ERA in eight seasons, seven with Indians affiliates. In his only season as a Rockford player, he saved a team-record 18 games.
Roehl is also an assistant coach at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisc.
"He's a guy that I have trust in to help our pitching staff," Austin said. "He did a good job for us last year and now I believe having a full offseason to work on our spring-training roster, having the necessary preparation time to get ready for the season, will make a real difference."
Small is the head coach of the Jr. RiverHawks 15U team, an assistant at Rockford Boylan Catholic High School and a former head coach at Mendota. He was a familiar face on the field before and during RiverHawks home games last year as a batting-practice pitcher and first-base coach, among other tasks.
"Small helps us in all facets of the game," Austin said. "(Small's) also another knowledgeable guy who helps us when we're doing our drills and early work. He coaches first base. He's just a guy that does all the intangibles for us."
The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, an independent professional baseball league that will play its 20th season in 2012. The RiverHawks open their 11th season on May 18 at River City. Advertising and season ticket information is available by calling (815) 885-2255. Fans can also visit www.rockfordriverhawks.com.
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