HENDRICKSON AT A GLANCE

>> Led the Billikens to a school record 41 victories in 2012
>> Won 13 consecutive games in 2012, the most in SLU history
>> Clinched SLU's first A-10 regular season title in 2012
>> Earned first national ranking in school history (#30 by Collegiate Baseball in 2012)
>> Led Billikens to 2010 NCAA Baseball Louisville Regional
>> SLU claimed A-10 Championship in 2010
>> Four Billikens have been drafted in his five seasons
>> Has led SLU to back-to-back 30-win seasons for the first time in school history
>> Has a career record of 647-302 in 17 years of coaching on the collegiate level

In five years at the helm of the Saint Louis University baseball program, head coach Darin Hendrickson has taken the Billikens to new heights. Numerous school records, an A-10 regular-season and tournament championship, and an NCAA Tournament appearance are just a few of the examples of Hendrickson's work as he has transformed the program into one that is recognized regionally and nationally.

It was a banner year in 2012 for the Billikens. They became the first squad in SLU baseball history to surpass the 40-win plateau, finishing with a record of 41-18. In addition, they claimed a share of the Atlantic 10 Conference regular-season title for the first time in school history and was the No. 1 seed at the A-10 Tournament.

For his efforts, Hendrickson was named the 2012 A-10 Coach of the Year. His players received recognition, as well, as Travis Parker became the first Billiken since 1993 to claim All-America honors. The national praise was also put into focus when, in March, SLU entered the national rankings for the first time in program history.

Hendrickson's re-building process began when he was hired in July 2007 from Central Missouri. He quickly brought on assistant coaches Kevin Moulder and Will Bradley, and today that same staff remains intact. The focus, however, has now shifted from building the program to maintaining the program's level of prominence.

SLU first reaped the benefits of Hendrickson's labor in 2010 when he led the Billikens to an Atlantic 10 Conference championship, an NCAA Regional appearance and a school-record 33 victories. In five years at the helm, Hendrickson has put together a 156-128 record. In 17 seasons as a collegiate head coach, he sports a 647-302 record.

In his career, Hendrickson has coached 23 players who have been either drafted in the Major League Baseball draft or signed free-agent contracts. In addition, numerous players coached by Hendrickson have continued their careers with independent league teams. In five years at SLU, a total of six players have gone on to sign contracts with Major League organizations.

Hendrickson's early success at SLU should come as no surprise, as he has won at every level during his 15-year career. During his coaching tenure, Hendrickson has attained seven regional Coach of the Year titles and six conference Coach of the Year honors.

Prior to coming to SLU, Hendrickson led Central Missouri to three conference regular-season and tournament championships and twice had his team reach the semifinal round of the NCAA Tournament. In 2004, the Mules posted a school-record 57 wins, won a Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) championship and advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championship semifinals. Hendrickson's club duplicated its effort in 2005, with a 57-9 record, its sixth regional championship and a return trip to the NCAA semifinals. In 2006, Hendrickson earned MIAA Coach of the Year honors for his club's 51-13 record and the conference regular-season title. During his four seasons at he reins, the Mules posted a 209-46 record (.820).

Prior to taking over at CMSU, Hendrickson guided St. Louis Community College Forest Park to four NJCAA Super Regional championship games. His 2001 club advanced to the NJCAA World Series and finished the year with a 41-22 slate, earning Hendrickson Midwest Community College Athletic Conference (MCCAC) and District Coach of the Year honors. A 45-10 record in 2003, including a 14-4 league mark, was good enough to put the Highlanders in the No. 1 ranking in NJCAA D-II the final five weeks of the season. In four seasons at Forest Park, Hendrickson compiled a 155-74 record (.677). In addition to his coaching duties at Forest Park, he also served as the athletics director.

Hendrickson got his first head coaching experience at Fontbonne University, starting that baseball program in 1995. In just the program's third season, the 1998 Griffins went 41-7, won the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) title with a 16-1 league record and advanced to the NCAA Division III Central Regional. Hendrickson was named SLIAC and Region Coach of the Year. He left Fontbonne with a 126-54 record (.700) over four seasons.

Hendrickson served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, SIUE, following his graduation in 1992. As a player, he earned first-team All-Region status both seasons on the mound for the Cougars and ranks second in school history with 10 wins and 111-1/3 innings pitched in 1991. With a career 18-5 record, he is fourth in school history in career winning percentage (.783) and 12th in career victories.

Hendrickson, a native of Granite City, Ill., earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from SIUE. His master's in sociology was conferred in 1995, following his bachelor's in political science in 1992. He and his wife, Laura, have three children, Reid, Paige and Andrew.