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Coach Kinne is saying goodbye. After a 21-year tenure at the helm of Hampden-Sydney’s baseball program, Jeff Kinne announced Tuesday that he was resigning, effective immediately. 

“One of the most important things I have learned at Hampden-Sydney is that coaching baseball is not just about winning, it is about forming good men and good citizens,” Kinne said. “I will always cherish the relationships I have developed with every player and their families over the past 21 years.” 

Kinne leaves behind a legacy as the all-time winningest coach in Hampden-Sydney baseball history, putting together an overall record of 417-372-6 since 2004. That includes going 215-176-1 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). 

He led the Tigers to the 2005 NCAA Division III World Series in Appleton, Wisconsin, the program’s only appearance in the Division III Championship Series, finishing 27-15 that also included ODAC Tournament and NCAA South Regional Championships. His teams attained 13 overall winning seasons during his 21-year tenure, and 17 seasons at .500 or better in the ODAC, with four 25-win efforts among 12 20-win campaigns. Kinne was a three-time ODAC Coach of the Year (2005, 2007, 2010) and the 2005 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Division III South Region Coach of the Year.

“I want to thank Coach Kinne for his leadership of our baseball program,” said Hampden-Sydney Director of Athletics Chad Eisele. “With over 400 wins and a trip to the college world series in 2005, Jeff has been a positive influence on the hundreds of young men that have played for him.”

Eisele said that a national search for a new head baseball coach to replace Jeff Kinne will begin immediately.