UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Former Penn State baseball head coach Joe Hindelang passed away on Friday night at the age of 78. Hindelang served as head coach from 1991-04.
In his time at Penn State, Hindelang compiled a 389-355-2 record (.523 win percentage). His 389 wins are the most all-time in program history. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.
"In my short time at Penn State, it has become clear how big of an impact Joe Hindelang had on Penn State baseball and this university," said Head Coach Mike Gambino. "He was a tremendous coach, mentor and person. He will be greatly missed. Our prayers and thoughts are with his family."
Hindelang led the Nittany Lions to a Big Ten regular season championship in 1996 and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2000. He was named Big Ten Coach of the Year following the 1996 season.
In 2000, the Nittany Lions finished with a 45-19 record. Penn State won its NCAA Regional at North Carolina, earning two wins over the Tar Heels, before falling to Texas in the Super Regional.
Hindelang guided Penn State to eight winning seasons, including three seasons of 32 or more wins and a program-record 45 victories in 2000. Penn State posted winning records in conference play seven times, including six times in the Big Ten and once in the Atlantic 10 in Hindelang's first season.
In his 14 seasons, Hindelang coached 43 All-Big Ten selections. Outfielder Michael Campo was selected Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 1997 and Big Ten Player of the Year in 2000. Nate Bump was named Big Ten Pitcher of the Year in 1996.
Campo (first-team) and third baseman Shawn Fagan (second-team) were All-American selections in 2000. Bump was a third-team All-American in 1998, while outfielder Wes Reohr was a third-team All-American in 2002. Campo was also a Freshman All-American in 1997.
Under Hindelang, Penn State had 22 MLB Draft selections, including Bump as a first-round pick by the San Francisco Giants in 1998. Bump pitched three seasons in the Major Leagues with the Florida Marlins, helping the Marlins to a World Series title in 2003.
Hindelang coached Penn State's all-time leaders in career Hits (Campo, 295; 1997-00), Runs (Campo, 232; 1997-00), RBI (Fagan, 199; 1997-00), Home Runs (Fagan, 43; 1997-00), Walks (Fagan, 126; 1997-00), Hit By Pitches (Campo, 40; 1997-00), Stolen Bases (Zack Smithlin, 62; 2000-03) and Assists (Eric Spadt, 516; 1997-00).
He also coached Penn State career record holders in Pitching Starts (Pete Yodis, 53; 1998-01), Wins (Bump, 29; 1995-98), Innings Pitched (Bump, 349.1; 1995-98) and Strikeouts (Bump, 352; 1995-98).
Under Hindelang, Penn State tallied seven Academic All-America selections and 81 Academic All-Big Ten selections.
Hindelang finished his coaching career with a 610-555-4 record, including eight seasons at Lafayette (1983-90) and five seasons at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Sciences (1978-82).
A 1967 Temple graduate, Hindelang lettered three years in baseball and two years in basketball. He was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 1966 and the New York Yankees in 1967 as a pitcher, playing minor league baseball for two seasons before a shoulder injury ended his professional career.
