After six years as the University of Illinois pitching coach, Ken Westray has been given his walking papers by Coach Hartleb.
From the News-Gazette:
“I have decided to go in a different direction with our pitching coach position,” he wrote. “I want to thank Ken Westray for his work and contributions over the past six years, and I wish him well in the future.”
Westray has been with the team for 15 years as pitching coach and before that, assistant coach. He became a pitching coach when Coach Hartleb was hired as head skipper after the 2005 season. Despite winning the Big Ten title and the Big Ten Tournament championship, the team ERA ranked ninth in the conference with a 4.97 mark in 2011.
Who will replace Westray as pitching coach? It’s anyone’s guess. Is Hartleb grooming volunteer assistant coach Drew Dickinson for the job? It’s possible. He’s held that job for the Shaumburg Flyers in the independent Northern League.
Thank you and good luck to Ken Westray for all he did!!
Sorry to see you go, Coach Westray! We think you did a good job and will be a tough act to follow.