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Biography: Experience: 13th Season at Dayton
Alma Mater: Lake Forest College '96
Todd Linklater has been the leader of the pitching staff ever since his arrival in Dayton with head coach Tony Vittorio in the fall of 1999. In August of 2006 Linklater was promoted to Associate Head Coach. His responsibilities include overseeing the pitching staff, recruiting and player development – which entails the designing and application of the strength program for all players.
“Todd has worked extremely hard through the years and has been very loyal to our program,” Vittorio said. “He brings a great sense of work ethic and has great knowledge for the development of, not only our pitchers, but all our players from a strength-and-conditioning standpoint. His attention to every detail, along with his progressive approach to development makes him one of the best coaches in the country.”
Linklater's pitchers have made a habit of record-setting performances and post-collegiate success. Five of Dayton’s seven MLB Draft picks since 2000 have been pitchers under the leadership of Linklater, including two major-league level pitchers – Jerry Blevins ‘04 and Craig Stammen ‘05.
The 2011 pitching staff ranked second in the nation in walks allowed per nine innings, set a program-record in strikeouts (429) and recorded the lowest ERA in program history during the modern era (3.94).
Linklater began his collegiate playing career at Lincoln Trail Community College under current UD head coach Tony Vittorio, pitching for the Statesmen from 1992-93. He then transferred to Lake Forest College where he played football and graduated with a degree in History in 1996.
His coaching career began at Lake Forest High School where he served as pitching coach from 1996-97. In December of 2002, he finished his master's degree in Educational Leadership at UD after earning his bachelor's in Education at Indiana University in 1999.
Linklater resides in Kettering with his wife, Kerry, and three daughters Caroline, Elizabeth and Madeline.
Notes
• Played under coach Vittorio at Lincoln Trail College.
• Developed two major-league pitchers at Dayton.
• Former head coach of the Southern Ohio Copperheads of the Great Lakes Collegiate Wood Bat League (2003).
• Five of Dayton’s team pitching records have been broken and the individual career strikeout mark has changed guards four times during his tenure.
• Coached six Atlantic 10 All-Conference pitchers, including the 2009 A-10 Rookie of the Year (Cameron Hobson) and the 2005 A-10 Reliever of the Year (Craig Rohren).
What Former Flyers Are Saying
"All coaches have the need to convince, coax and eventually produce players whose effort and focus is continuously optimal. This goal is achieved by each coach in a different way. Instead of relying, as many coaches do, upon authority, Coach Linklater's extreme effectiveness stems from his unique ability to instruct, lead and mentor in a manner that attains immense respect from his players. By valuing first the person and only then their skills, Coach Link earns this respect and in doing so cultivates top performers."
Tom Beechem '04
Three-time CoSIDA Academic All-America Selection.
"My years at the University of Dayton as a student athlete were a great life experience for me. I made friends that I will stay in contact with throughout the years. Along with friendships, my time at UD has given me the faith in myself needed to play professional baseball. The coaches and my teammates were always there to challenge me and to push me to the next level. Coach Linklater was tremendous in my development as a pitcher both physically and mentally. There is no doubt in my mind that my childhood dream of playing professional baseball would not be possible if it were not for the mental and physical support that Coach Link provided. I wish nothing but the best for the program that helped me tremendously. I will be a FLYER for life."
Jerry Blevins '04
Made major-league debut with the Oakland A's in 2007.
"Coach Linklater displays the dedication, passion, work ethic and savvy any player admires and dreams for in a coach. My career has taken on new heights past college baseball, but the roots to which I learned how to be a complete baseball player start with the time Coach Linklater dedicated to making me as good as I could possibly be. As my pro career has continued, I have encountered many pitching coaches, yet, every offseason I make sure that I spend as much time as I can breaking down any aspect of pitching I can with Coach Link. There is no question in my mind that there is no harder working individual in the coaching profession than Todd Linklater. Just as every player desires to get better each and every year, Coach Linklater displays the same attitude. His character is unwavering, which is why I have the upmost respect and admiration for him."
Craig Stammen '05
Made major-league debut with the Washington Nationals in 2008.
"Coach Linklater is without a doubt, an asset to the game of baseball. His passion and enthusiasm for the game, and the teaching of the game, is unmatched by anyone that I have ever met. He has a great desire to help people get better and help them follow their dreams. I played for Coach Link for four years at the University of Dayton and would definitely not have had the success that I did without the constant pressure to get better and everyday guidance from Coach Link. He is fun to work with and is going to be a positive influence wherever his life and career take him."
Luke Trubee '06
Drafted by New York Yankees. |
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Full roster...
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