NACOGDOCHES, Texas- Stephen F. Austin (SFA) baseball head coach Johnny Cardenas has announced he will retire after spending 16 seasons at the helm of the baseball program, effective July 31st, 2024. A national search for the program’s next head coach will begin immediately.
“On behalf of SFA, I want to thank Coach Cardenas for his efforts leading Lumberjack Baseball over the last 16 years,” said Michael McBroom, SFA Director of Athletics. “We all wish Johnny the very best in his future endeavors.”
In his 16 seasons as head coach at SFA, Cardenas recorded a 293-483 overall record with three seasons having won 30 or more games. Cardenas has coached 13 of the program’s Major League Draft picks during his time as head coach and assistant coach.
He coached two All-Americans in Bryson Myles and Hunter Dozier and 13 All-Southland Conference selections. Myles also earned SLC player, hitter, and newcomer of the year in 2011. Dozier won SLC player and hitter of the year. In 2013, Brett Higginbotham also earned SLC relief pitcher of the year. Cardenas coached Dozier, Myles and Tyler Herriage to ABCA All-Region honors.
Cardenas captured his 200th career win in a 17-3 home win over Texas Southern on April 5th, 2016, and his 250th win in a 12-11 win over UT Arlington on April 22, 2023. He was voted the Southland Conference Coach of the Year in 2010 after leading the team to a 34-20 overall record where they entered the Southland Conference Tournament as the number four seed.
By: Jay Lucas, Associate Athletics Director for Strategic Communications