Steve Sabins didn’t take the most direct path to becoming West Virginia University’s head baseball coach. But every twist and turn, every delayed opportunity, and every leap of faith led him to this moment—his first NCAA Tournament as a head coach.
Today, Sabins and his 24th-ranked Mountaineers (41-14) face Kentucky in the opening round of the NCAA Clemson Regional. It’s not just a big day for the team—it’s the reward for years of patience and persistence.
“If you get in the tournament, you’ve got a shot,” Sabins said. “That’s all you could ever ask for.”
From Volunteer Coach to Morgantown
Sabins began his coaching career with little more than hope and hustle. As a volunteer assistant at Oklahoma State, he worked youth camps just to scrape together enough money to live. His wife, he admits, carried the financial load.
“I was working in the batting cage with seven-year-olds trying to pay bills,” Sabins recalled. “My wife floated us with a real job.”
In 2016, he landed an assistant job under Randy Mazey at WVU. But even that wasn’t straightforward. Sabins wasn’t Mazey’s first pick for the role.
“I interviewed for jobs at Loyola Marymount and Appalachian State,” Sabins said. “Another coach actually turned this job down first. A million things had to go right for me to get here.”
A Dream Worth the Wait
When he got the call from Mazey, Sabins didn’t hesitate—even though Mazey tried to talk him out of it.
“He said, ‘It snows here. You’re going to be pushing a stroller in the snow with your wife and kids,’” Sabins laughed. “But I told him I’d take a Big 12 job if it was in Iraq. This was a dream come true for me.”
And yet, even dreams come with tests.
In 2023, Sabins was offered the head coaching job at Cincinnati. It was a life-changing opportunity. A stable, higher-paying role that would have taken him to a new city and a new program.
“It was the most high-pressure situation I’d ever been in,” Sabins said. “That’s a lot of money and a lot of risk, and things can always change.”
A Leap of Faith for the Right Fit
Just 24 hours after the Cincinnati offer came through, Mazey and WVU athletic director Wren Baker made their move. They offered Sabins the title of head coach in waiting, with Mazey coaching one final season in 2024 before stepping aside.
Sabins chose loyalty over quick gain. He turned down the Cincinnati job and stayed.
“I tell recruits all the time about delayed gratification,” Sabins said. “I wanted to be a head coach, but I believed in this place. I believed we could win here.”
His belief is now reality. In his first season at the helm, Sabins has led the Mountaineers to 41 wins and a spot in the NCAA tournament.
Built on Belief and Commitment
Sabins didn’t choose the easiest path. He didn’t chase every opportunity or move for more money. He built something in Morgantown and believed it was worth finishing.
“I loved this place,” he said. “I recruited the players. I thought we could win at a high level.”
Now, with the NCAA tournament underway, Sabins’ long road and steady hand have brought him—and WVU baseball—exactly where he hoped to be.
Steve Sabins’ decision to stay with WVU instead of taking a head coaching job elsewhere has paid off. In his first year leading the team, the Mountaineers are competing in the NCAA Tournament—proof that patience and belief can win big.
