Connor Lawhead
Connor Lawhead

Bio

Connor Lawhead will be entering his fifth season as the Pitching Coach at USF. He joined the team in July of 2019. After a COVID-shortened 2020 season, Coach Lawhead helped lead a team that broke numerous school records in 2021 including Wins (34).

The 2021 pitching staff finished top 25 in the nation in Strikeouts and Saves. Kaden Sullivan led the nation will 11 Saves, while all-conference Pitcher Tanner Gaff would go on to sign a contract with the Minnesota Twins following the 2021 season. After coaching in the Spring of 2022 at Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA, Lawhead returned for the 2023 season to help the Cougars to another winning season (29-25). The 2023 pitching staff ranked nationally in Strikeouts (20th) and K/9 (18th). The 2023 season included a No-Hitter thrown by Riley Perlich, who would earn NAIA Pitcher of the Week for his accomplishment.

Prior to USF, Lawhead coached for five seasons (2015-2019) at his alma mater PurdueFort Wayne. At PFW, Lawhead worked with hitters and all defensive positions- C/INF/OF. The 2015 and 2016 Mastodons broke nearly all school records including wins (2015: 28 wins/2016: 33 wins) and back-to-back Summit League Tournament Championship game appearances. Lawhead mentored All-American SS Greg Kaiser who led D1 Shortstops in Homeruns with 17. The 2016 season included two Rawlings National Player of the Week Awards: Brandon Soat and Greg Kaiser. Sophomore pitcher Evan Miller was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 22nd round of the 2016 MLB Draft.

Lawhead played two seasons at Walla Walla Community College, earning 1st team alleast region Relief Pitcher and 2nd team all-NWAC Relief Pitcher in 2012. Lawhead would play his final two years at PFW (then IPFW) with current Cougars hitting coach Kristian Gayday. The 2013 Mastodons would go on to set a school record for D1 wins and continue their run in 2014 by becoming the first Mastodon baseball team to advance to the Summit League Tournament.

Lawhead was the Closer for the Mastodon pitching staff during his two years. In 2014 he recorded 6 saves (3rd Summit League), 57 strikeouts (5th Summit League), and led the league in K/9.

Connor and his wife Victoria have two children, Avery (3) and Pepper (1), they reside in Fort Wayne.