INDIANAPOLIS – Former Greyhound All-American and assistant Al Ready has been selected as the next head coach of the UIndy baseball program, as announced by Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Sue Willey Tuesday. Ready takes over head duties after spending the previous 11 seasons as the top assistant under the recently-retired Gary Vaught.

"Al has been a dedicated UIndy employee whose future leadership will help keep UIndy baseball academically and athletically successful," Dr. Sue Willey said. "He really impressed in his interview., and we found there was great support from our department coaches, staff, student-athletes, and administration, as well as other constituents for his promotion."

A native of London, Ontario, Ready has been part of the Greyhound coaching staff for five NCAA Midwest regional berths, two GLVC championships and one Division II "World Series" appearance. He played two seasons for the Crimson and Grey – also under Coach Vaught – as an All-America catcher. Prior to his return to UIndy as a coach, Ready spent three seasons as the head man at Sauk Valley Community College.

"I want to thank Dr. Willey for giving me this opportunity to work at this wonderful university," Ready said. "It means a great deal to me to have the opportunity to continue being a part of the UIndy family. "Not very many coaches get the chance to lead a program that they played for and have been a part of for so many years.

"There isn't a place I'd rather be."
 
As a student-athlete, Ready played for the Hounds in one of the most successful two-year stints in program history, leading them to a combined 93-38 mark in 2000 and 2001. Despite his relatively short time as a player at UIndy, Ready is the program's all-time leader in walks while ranking second in RBIs. He was also an Academic All-America First Team honoree in '01.

"I spoke with Al about the expectations for the baseball program moving forward and his vision for the future and am confident there will be many successful and exciting times ahead for UIndy baseball," Willey concluded.
 
This past season saw the Hounds nearly earn another automatic bid to postseason play when they advanced to the GLVC Championship game as the East Division's four seed. The Greyhounds were ranked as high as No. 10 in the NCBWA poll earlier this spring.
 
Recent-retiree and 24-year head coach of the Greyhounds Gary Vaught is excited about the opportunity for his former pupil.
 
"I couldn't be happier for Al," Vaught said of Ready. "He's been loyal and I fully expect him to be successful. Al bleeds UIndy baseball, and I trust that he and his staff will be able to take this program to the next level."
 
Ready is more than happy to take over the reign of his mentor. "I want to say thank you to Coach Vaught for everything that he has done for me and my family over the years. He's been a great friend, and I'm going to miss him."
 
Ready will assume head coaching duties September 1.
 

Al Ready, No. 2 in career runs batted in as a @UIndyAthletics baseball player, has been named Greyhounds coach. He replaces the recently retired Gary Vaught.

— IndyStar Sports (@IndyStarSports) May 29, 2018