Lewis-Clark State College baseball coach Ed Cheff will retire September 1st.
Cheff has been the face of the LCSC baseball program since his arrival in 1977. He posted a record of 1,705 wins, 430 losses and 2 ties for a winning percentage of just under 80 percent. His win total ranks fourth all-time among all college baseball coaches.
Cheff was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1994 and the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2006.
LCSC Interim President Tony Fernandez has named LC Athletic Director Gary Picone as the new head coach.
Picone says beyond the 16 national championships coach Cheff’s impact in the region will never be forgotten.
Gary Picone says Cheff’s impact will not be forgotten
There was no definitive timetable set for retirement, but Picone admits there had been talk about when the day might come and what direction the program would take.
Picone sensed Cheff’s retirement was near
Picone has been involved in college baseball coaching since 1976 when he helped guide the first Warrior team to a World Series appearance as an assistant to then head coach Ramon Hooker.
Picone says he knows there will be some pressure, but the foundation has already been built for continued success.
Picone acknowledges pressure, but is grateful for the foundation Cheff left
Warrior pitching coach Gus Knichrehm and assistant coach Allen Balmer will continue in their current jobs. The rest of the coaching staff will be filled as needed prior to the beginning of fall workouts.
