David Pierce Named New Head Coach at Rice Baseball

Rice University has appointed David Pierce as the new head baseball coach, marking a return for him after serving as an assistant from 2003 to 2011. Pierce, who has an impressive record of 494-271 over 13 seasons as a head coach, takes over after the dismissal of José Cruz Jr., who had a challenging tenure with a 63-126 record. The decision to hire Pierce comes as the Owls look to revitalize their struggling program, which has not had a winning season since 2017 and currently sits at 4-16. Pierce expressed his eagerness to start immediately, believing in the team's potential as they prepare for their conference opener against Florida Atlantic. Athletic director Tommy McClelland emphasized the unconventional timing of the hiring, noting Pierce's strong desire to lead the team right away. With a rich history at Rice, including a national championship in 2003, Pierce aims to restore the program to its former glory.