ABILENE – Former Washington all-Pac 10 honoree Elliott Cribby was hired Monday by Abilene Christian head coach
Britt Bonneau to serve as the program's pitching coach. Cribby comes to Abilene after spending the past two seasons at Mount Si (Wash.) High School, which won the state title in 2011 and reached the regional finals this past spring under his leadership.
As the Wildcats anticipate a possible invitation to the Southland Conference and NCAA DI athletics, Bonneau believes Cribby's input will be crucial to the team's success moving forward.
“Having someone in our dugout who is a true pitching coach with head coaching experience will definitely help improve the landscape of our program,” said the 16-year head coach. “Elliott is a bright, young man with lots of energy and he knows what it takes to win at all levels. I'm looking forward to having him on my coaching staff.”
Bonneau also said Cribby would help lead ACU's recruiting efforts in the Pacific Northwest, an area which has produced current Wildcats
Kyle Conwell,
Michael Curtis,
Emmett Niland and
J.R. Roland. This region has also churned out former ACU greats such as Jameson Maj, Brett Bochsler and all-America pitcher Brad Rutherford.
Seattle Mariner all-star Jay Buhner recommended Cribby for the head-coaching job at Mt Si, and in his first year at the helm he became the youngest coach in Washington to win a state championship. Cribby went on to earn 2012 King County 3A Coach of the Year honors after his team won a regular season championship followed by a top-eight finish at state.
Cribby acknowledged his high school coaching tenure was incredibly beneficial as he received first-hand experience managing both coaches and players. He's now ready to utilize that knowledge in bringing the Wildcats back to prominence.
“I've known about ACU baseball for a long time and what a powerhouse it is,” Cribby said, “and I was immediately interested in this position once I heard about the job opening. Now that I'm here, I'm really looking forward to managing this pitching staff every day and winning some ball games. I'm not here to be mediocre.”
ACU is expected to bring back most of its pitching staff from last year's squad, including starters
Josh Stone,
Jordon Herrera,
Austin Palmer and
Brady Rodriguez, plus relievers Curtis and
Clint Cooper. This group with the exception of Rodriguez is comprised of seniors, and Cribby plans to call everyone today to address expectations as well as the opportunities that exist after their collegiate careers are complete.
“There are a lot of seniors coming back and I want to make sure they all are able to leave here on a good note,” Cribby said. “I want my pitchers to be smart and throw strikes, but I also want them to have a presence on the mound, a desire to be on the diamond every day, and to possess a strong work ethic because talent will only take you so far.”
Cribby joined the Washington pitching staff in 2006 and enjoyed a banner sophomore season in which he ranked among the Pac-10 leaders in several categories, including second in saves with 10. Cribby earned All-Pac-10 honorable mention status for his efforts and subsequently was nominated for the prestigious Brooks Wallace and Roger Clemens awards. He also was a finalist for the NCBWA's Relief Pitcher of the Year Award.
Cribby twice led UW in appearances in 2006 (29) and 2008 (21), and ranks sixth all-time for the Huskies with 13 saves.
A native of Redmond, Wash., Cribby began his collegiate career at Columbia Basin College after graduating with a 3.5 grade-point average from Lake Washington High School. With CBC in 2004, Cribby went 3-0 with five saves and a 1.24 earned-run average, earning All-NWAACC honors and helping lead the team to a 42-7 record.
Cribby's coaching experience prior to Mt. Si included stops at Baseball Northwest (2008) Columbia Basin (2009) and Eastside Catholic School (2010). In between coaching assignments the right-hander pitched one summer for the Rockford RiverHawks of the Frontier League.
Cribby earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Washington in 2008, and received his Masters of Education degree from UW in intercollegiate athletic leadership the following year. He was a member of the Pac-10 All-Academic Team and recipient of Washington's 101 Club Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award.
Cribby's father, Ed, was a four-year letterwinner for UW from 1974 to 1977.
What They're Saying About Elliott Cribby …
“The addition of Coach Cribby to Coach Bonneau's staff and baseball program is terrific. Elliott's remarkable character and dependable work ethic will have an immediate impact for the Wildcats.”
Shaun Cole
Pitching Coach -
2012 NCAA Champion University of Arizona
“I believe that Elliott Cribby is a great hire for Abilene Christian University. Elliott was a great competitor for me at the University of Washington and had great insight to the game. I am sure he will bring a tremendous work ethic to ACU and his pitchers will be well prepared and will be developed.”
Ken Knutson
Assistant Baseball Coach -
Arizona State University
“Elliott is a great addition to the ACU baseball staff. I had the pleasure of Coaching him in 2004 with the Wenatchee AppleSox and in 2006 with the Chatham A's. He is an accomplished collegiate athlete who has had success at every stop he has made. Elliott has a great baseball mind and ability to teach pitching. And he will represent ACU well with his class, integrity, and work ethic.”
Tyler Kincaid
Assistant Baseball Coach -
University of San Diego
