Justin Hill signed to new 3-year contract to lead McNeese baseball

LAKE CHARLES – McNeese Baseball head coach Justin Hill has signed a new three-year contract that will keep him as the Cowboys’ skipper through the 2026 season, Director of Athletics Heath Schroyer announced on Tuesday.

Hill had one year remaining on his previous three-year deal that was set to expire in 2024.

“I’m really excited to extend and redo Coach Hill’s contract,” said Schroyer. “Coach Hill has been a consistent winner and built a program here that excels on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. The way he has handled and continues to handle adversity in regards to his facility since the hurricanes is something I truly respect.

“Coach has won championships and continues to be a team player while helping to enhance our department’s culture. I appreciate that.”

Hill became the Cowboys’ career record holder in victories at the start of the 2023 season, and collected win No. 300 with a victory in the first game of the Southland Conference postseason tournament. He followed with another win and heading in to the 2024 season, has compiled a 301-240 all-time record.

In his 10 years at McNeese, Hill’s teams have won 30 or more games eight times (the 2020 season was canceled 17 games in due to Covid), and has won four conference titles – two regular season and two tournament championships.

Hill is also a two-time Clay Gould Southland Conference Coach of the Year (2017, 2022), and has seen 14 of his players selected in the Major League Baseball Draft.

“I’m grateful to continue as the head baseball coach at McNeese,” said Hill. “I appreciate Coach (Heath) Schroyer, Dr. (Wade) Rousse and Dr. (Daryl) Burckel’s belief in us by providing this opportunity. The best is yet to come.”

The 2024 season will mark Hill’s 11th at McNeese, making him the longest running head coach in school history and surpassing Hubert Boales who coached 10 years from 1968-77.