Ohio baseball coach Joe Carbone joined elite company last Friday, as he became the fourth Mid-American Conference coach to win 500 games.
With the Bobcats' 12-3 win against Marshall, Carbone joined Western Michigan's Fred Decker, Toledo's Stan Sanders and Central Michigan's Dean Kreiner on this prestigious list. Carbone attributes his recognition to his players' efforts.
It's not a big deal really
Carbone said. It doesn't mean anything to me personally. Coaches don't win games players win games.
Carbone's career record now stands at 501-389-1 in his 17 seasons as the Ohio skipper, averaging just over 30 wins per season.
Alongside Carbone for the entire 500-game ride has been associate coach Bill Toadvine, who was Carbone's teammate at Ohio from 1968-1970.
Coach Toadvine and I have been here together so he's been here through all 500 wins
Carbone said. You can't have a good baseball program without good pitching
you can't have good pitching without a good pitching coach and he's one of the best
if not the best
and he's been with me for almost 17 years.
Toadvine agreed and said that he feels very fortunate to have been able to share this milestone with Carbone.
It's been a long struggle
he said. We've lost a few and won a few. As coach Carbone always says
he gets credit for the wins and I get credit for all the losses.
Ohio University President Roderick McDavis, who graduated from Ohio the same year as Carbone, said the accomplishment is a huge honor for the entire baseball team.
This really distinguishes him as a college baseball coach
McDavis said. I think it speaks well for our program
and definitely it speaks well for his ability to consistently be competitive and win.
Ohio players attribute Carbone's success to his knowledge of the game and dedication to the program.
I think it's always been consistency and the program itself
