The Rice Owls announced Thursday they are parting ways with Jose Cruz Jr. as their head baseball coach after a 2-14 start to the 2025 season.
Pitching coach Parker Bangs will take over as interim head coach.
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“I do not take lightly the dismissal of a legendary Owl such as Coach Cruz,” said Rice Athletic Director Tommy McClelland. “However, I came to the decision that it was in the best interest of our student-athletes and our baseball program to make a coaching change now while there is so much of the season remaining.”
Cruz, Jr. complied a record of 63-126 at Rice, struggling to get the Owls close to the NCAA Tournament.
Since legendary coach Wayne Graham’s departure after the 2018 season, the Owls have struggled. Rice hasn’t made the NCAA Tournament since 2017, and neither Matt Bragga (2019-2021) or Cruz, Jr. (2022-2025) were able to have a winning season at Rice.
Rice faces HCU this weekend at Reckling Park. The Owls are looking to snap a 10-game losing streak.
