COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Baseball head coach Kerrick Jackson announced the hiring of Drew Dickinson as the Tigers’ new pitching coach on Tuesday. Dickinson joins Mizzou following a highly successful six-year tenure at the University of Virginia, where he established himself as one of the premier pitching minds in college baseball and helped guide UVA to three College World Series appearances.
“Drew’s incredible track record speaks for itself,” Jackson said. “He’s developed elite arms, competed deep into the postseason and helped build one of the most consistently productive pitching staffs in the country. This is a major statement for the future of Mizzou Baseball and helps position our program to reach our ultimate destination of Omaha. We are thrilled to welcome Drew and his family to Columbia.”
At Virginia, Dickinson guided a dominant Cavalier pitching staff that consistently ranked among the nation’s best in ERA, strikeouts, and efficiency. From 2021-24, UVA boasted a team ERA of 4.02 — 10th-best nationally and tops in the Atlantic Coast Conference — and struck out more than 2,500 batters, ranking third in the ACC. In 2025, UVA ranked second in the ACC in staff ERA. Under Dickinson’s leadership, Virginia made three trips to the College World Series (2021, 2023, 2024) and produced a steady pipeline of MLB Draft picks, including second-rounder Andrew Abbott (2021) and fifth-rounder Connelly Early (2023).
In 2023, Dickinson’s staff posted a 3.81 ERA, fourth-best in the nation, and was among the top-10 in strikeout-to-walk ratio and walks allowed per nine innings. During UVA’s NCAA postseason run to the College World Series that year, the Cavalier arms held opponents to five total runs in the regional round — fewest of any team in the tournament field. Dickinson’s 2021 staff broke the UVA program record for strikeouts (687), which led the ACC and ranked fourth nationally. That season, under Dickinson’s watch, Abbott converted to a starter and led the ACC and ranked third in the nation in strikeouts (162), while closer Blake Bales was one of three finalists for NCBWA Stopper of the Year. Five UVA pitchers were selected in the 2021 MLB Draft, second-most in the country for a college pitching staff.
In his six seasons at UVA, the Cavaliers signed six top-30 recruiting classes, as rated by PerfectGame.com, including top-20 classes in 2021 (No. 19), 2022 (No. 8), 2023 (No. 20) and 2025 (No. 17).
Before his time in Charlottesville, Dickinson spent eight seasons at his alma mater, Illinois, where his pitchers rewrote the record books and helped lead the Illini to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and a 50-win Big Ten championship season in 2015. Across both coaching stops, Dickinson has developed two Big Ten Pitchers of the Year, more than a dozen All-Americans and more than 20 professional pitchers. Dickinson developed two first-round MLB draft picks at Illinois: Tyler Jay (No. 6, Minnesota, 2015) and Cody Sedlock (No. 27, Baltimore, 2016).
“This is an incredible opportunity, and I’m beyond excited to join Mizzou Baseball,” Dickinson said. “This program has a proud tradition of producing high-caliber pitchers, and I can’t wait to build on that legacy while competing in the best baseball conference in the country. I’m grateful to Coach Jackson for believing in me and trusting me to help shape the future of this staff.”
A two-time All-American (2001, 2002) and Big Ten Pitcher of the Year at Illinois, Dickinson set the program record for career victories (30) and ranks in Illinois’ top five for Big Ten career wins, strikeouts and innings pitched. He was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 2002 MLB Draft and enjoyed a seven-year professional career. He and his wife, Michelle, have a son, Drasen.
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