Todd Asalon announces retirement as Northern Kentucky baseball head coach at season’s end

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky baseball head coach Todd Asalon announces his retirement at the end of the 2021 season, his 21st as skipper for the Norse.
 
"For the last 21 years at Northern Kentucky University, I have had the privilege of coaching college baseball and following my former coach, friend and mentor Bill Aker," said Asalon. "In my opinion, this is one of the greatest jobs one could imagine. Leading NKU's baseball program has been one of the richest blessings of my life. In recent months, I have become much more aware of the sacrifices it has taken for me to perform the job I loved for all these years. In reflection, I have decided to seek out a new career outside of baseball which enables me to be more present emotionally and physically with my family.
 
"Throughout my career at NKU, I have had the privilege of coaching many incredible young men and working with loyal, dedicated coaches. Thank you to these players, coaches, athletic trainers, academic services and all other support staff that helped build this program into a family. The most rewarding part of this job has been witnessing the growth and development of young men both on and off the field."
 
"Coach Asalon has been a staple in Norse baseball, first as a student-athlete and now as head coach," said Ken Bothof, director of athletics at Northern Kentucky University. "We are grateful for his years of service in the development of young men and wish him all the best with his future plans!"
 
Asalon took over as just the second coach in program history beginning in 2001 and has amassed a career-record of 548-557-1 at NKU. He led the Norse to eight NCAA Division II Regional appearances between 2001-12 prior to guiding the program through its transition to NCAA Division I membership as well as the move to the Horizon League.
 
Northern Kentucky was a staple among the GLVC's leaders with Asalon at the helm, as the Norse won five league championships including back-to-back crowns in 2008 and 2009.
 
Under Asalon's guidance, Norse student-athletes have also experienced tremendous success on and off the field. More than a dozen Norse have been drafted by Major League Baseball teams, including nine-year major-league veteran Nate Jones. Current Norse Griffin Doersching won the 2019 Rocket Mortgage College Home Run Derby, while former Norse Will Haueter was a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American, the Cecil N. Coleman Medal of Honor recipient and the 2018 Horizon League Scholar Athlete of the Season.
 
Prior to becoming the skipper at Northern Kentucky, Asalon spent six seasons leading Thomas More College, where he led the Saints to their first-ever NCAA Division III Tournament appearance in 2000. TMU was 144-92 during Asalon's tenure, running his career coaching record to 692-649-1.
 
Asalon's teams were also known for their outreach in the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati region. The Norse were regular participants in the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati in support of team manager Ryan Mavriplis and his wife Jillian.
 
Prior to assuming the role of head coach in 2001, Asalon was no stranger to the Black & Gold. He played baseball for NKU from 1980-83, starting at catcher for three-consecutive seasons and leading the squad as team captain in the final two years. He also served as an assistant coach for the Norse from 1991-94.
 
NKU will begin a national search for its third coach in program history in the near future.