Photo by: Jeff Reinking | Louisville Athletics
Louisville Baseball Adds Bennett to Coaching Staff
September 16, 2026 | Baseball
The former Cardinal joins the staff as the assistant pitching coach.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – University of Louisville baseball head coach Dan McDonnell has announced the hiring of former Louisville pitcher Nick Bennett as the new assistant pitching coach with the program.
A three-year pitcher for the Cards from 2017-19, Bennett returns to Louisville after one season as the Director of Pitching Development at Kent State.
Bennett replaces the departed Nick Burdi, who was recently hired as the Pitching Coach at Boston College.
"I'm super excited to be back in the program that gave me so much as a pitcher," Bennett said. "What a great opportunity it is to work alongside my former coach Roger Williams and former teammate Kade McClure to help develop our pitchers in The Ville!"
Bennett had an impactful three years at UofL working as a weekend starter in all three seasons. In 45 career appearances, Bennett posted a 20-6 overall record with 3.51 ERA. The southpaw averaged nearly one strikeout per innings, punching out 209 in 215.2 innings, and held opponents to a carer .235 average against him.
After pitching for the Cardinals in the College World Series in 2017 and 2019, Bennett wrapped up his collegiate career by being selected in the sixth round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Cincinnati, Ohio, native pitched in professional baseball from 2019-25, reaching as high as Triple-A with the Brewers.
"We are very excited to bring Nick Bennett back to Louisville," McDonnell said. "It is truly something special when one of your former great players wants to coach and help the next generation. Nick had success in college helping us to two College World Series followed up by an extensive seven-year pro career.
"At Kent State, he has already shown his ability to coach and lead others to be their best. Adding him to the staff we already have coaching our pitchers should allow us to elevate our program even further."
Kent State had tremendous success in 2026 with Bennett on staff. The Golden Flashes finished 42-15 overall, second in the Mid-American Conference, and reached the MAC semifinals.
Bennett's pitching staff led the MAC in ERA, WHIP and hits allowed per nine innings, ranking inside the top 30 nationally in all three categories.
The Cardinals will play the first of four fall exhibitions this Sunday against Xavier at Prasco Park in Mason, Ohio.
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A three-year pitcher for the Cards from 2017-19, Bennett returns to Louisville after one season as the Director of Pitching Development at Kent State.
Bennett replaces the departed Nick Burdi, who was recently hired as the Pitching Coach at Boston College.
"I'm super excited to be back in the program that gave me so much as a pitcher," Bennett said. "What a great opportunity it is to work alongside my former coach Roger Williams and former teammate Kade McClure to help develop our pitchers in The Ville!"
Bennett had an impactful three years at UofL working as a weekend starter in all three seasons. In 45 career appearances, Bennett posted a 20-6 overall record with 3.51 ERA. The southpaw averaged nearly one strikeout per innings, punching out 209 in 215.2 innings, and held opponents to a carer .235 average against him.
After pitching for the Cardinals in the College World Series in 2017 and 2019, Bennett wrapped up his collegiate career by being selected in the sixth round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Cincinnati, Ohio, native pitched in professional baseball from 2019-25, reaching as high as Triple-A with the Brewers.
"We are very excited to bring Nick Bennett back to Louisville," McDonnell said. "It is truly something special when one of your former great players wants to coach and help the next generation. Nick had success in college helping us to two College World Series followed up by an extensive seven-year pro career.
"At Kent State, he has already shown his ability to coach and lead others to be their best. Adding him to the staff we already have coaching our pitchers should allow us to elevate our program even further."
Kent State had tremendous success in 2026 with Bennett on staff. The Golden Flashes finished 42-15 overall, second in the Mid-American Conference, and reached the MAC semifinals.
Bennett's pitching staff led the MAC in ERA, WHIP and hits allowed per nine innings, ranking inside the top 30 nationally in all three categories.
The Cardinals will play the first of four fall exhibitions this Sunday against Xavier at Prasco Park in Mason, Ohio.
FOLLOW LOUISVILLE BASEBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans can follow Louisville baseball on X, Facebook or Instagram at @LouisvilleBSB.
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