Fournier Named Mavericks’ Head Baseball Coach

From OMAVS.com — Omaha Vice Chancellor / Director of Athletics Adrian Dowell announced Monday the appointment of Rob Fournier (pronounced FORN-yay) as the seventh head coach in Maverick Baseball history.

Fournier joins Omaha after four seasons as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator with Western Kentucky.

"Rob Fournier is a proven winner, an elite recruiter and one of the most respected baseball minds in the country," said Dowell. "Throughout our search, we were looking for a coach who could build a championship-caliber program with a track record of identifying and developing student-athletes at a high level, to capitalize on the momentum and strategic resources surrounding Omaha Athletics. Rob checked every box."

Dowell continued, "His reputation speaks for itself: more than 1,100 wins, hall of fame recognition, championship success and national connections. Most importantly, he brings the leadership, vision and competitive edge necessary to elevate Maverick Baseball."

A renowned recruiter and offensive mind, Fournier posted two nationally recognized recruiting classes for the Hilltoppers (2024 and 2026), including the signing of six top-ranked junior college prospects in 2024. Over the last three seasons, WKU posted a 112-63 (.640) record, highlighted by the team's 2025 CUSA Championship, the first in program history, and fifth NCAA tournament appearance.

In 2026, WKU finished at or near the top of the CUSA statistical rankings in batting average (88th nationally) and doubles (12th nationally). Junior infielder Lane Arroyos finished the regular-season fifth in Division I in doubles (24) and seventh in doubles per game (seven). With Fournier on staff, the Hilltoppers earned a total of 14 All-CUSA selections.

In 2022, Fournier was recognized as one of D1Baseball's top 30 assistant coach hires of the year.

"I am grateful to Chancellor (Joanne) Li and Adrian Dowell for their trust and the opportunity to lead Omaha Baseball," said Fournier. "This program has a rich tradition both at UNO and in a city that lives and breathes the game, and I am committed to building a championship culture centered on developing talent and helping our student-athletes reach their full potential. I am excited to partner with Maverick fans as we write the next chapter of Omaha Baseball together."

The Ojai, California native spent 26 seasons as the head coach at Wabash Valley College (WVC) prior to arriving at WKU. During his illustrious tenure, the Warriors totaled 1,109 victories, capturing 16 Great Rivers Athletic Conference (GRAC) championships. His squads rattled off 26 consecutive winning seasons, recording at least 30 wins in each campaign while collecting 17 total 40-plus-win seasons. Wabash totaled 50 or more wins in eight seasons and in his last three years as head coach, the team had the best record in the country, going a combined 129-16 (.890).

Fournier's teams made two NJCAA Division I World Series appearances, earning a third-place finish in 2017 and fourth-place finish in 2022.

For his success at the helm, Fournier has won 14 GRAC Coach of the Year awards and was inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame in 2022.

Nationally, his 2019 team won 49 consecutive games and spent eight weeks ranked No. 1 and in 2020, his team finished the shortened season ranked first in the nation.

On the recruiting front, Fournier has posted top 35 junior college recruiting classes in all but two seasons from 2015-22. His 2020 recruiting class ranked third in the nation.

Fournier's tutelage at the junior college level has led to individual success as 390 of his WVC student-athletes went on to NCAA Division I programs. 93 players have been drafted or signed professionally.

Fournier spent two seasons as the hitting coach and recruiting coordinator at MacMurray College where he played two years as an all-conference centerfielder. During his two seasons on staff (1995 and 1996), MacMurray posted a 62-22 record while making two regional appearances.

He also has professionally scouting experience, including seven years as an associate with Cleveland (A.L.) and over a decade with the Philadelphia Phillies. Fournier currently serves as a clinic speaker for USA Baseball.

Fournier will formally be introduced during a press conference on a date to be determined.

Give now to Omaha Baseball and help usher in the Fournier era.

Season ticket membership deposits for the next chapter of Maverick Baseball are now open on Ticketmaster or by calling 402.554.MAVS.

What They're Saying

Marc Rardin, Western Kentucky head baseball coach: "The Omaha athletic department has knocked it out of the park with the hiring of Rob Fournier. I am so happy and excited for Rob and his wife Jen on this tremendous opportunity. UNO has now got a coach with an unmatched work ethic that will be the beginning of Maverick Baseball reaching new heights. His passion for the game and coaching young men will be missed here. He has as much to do with all of our success here as anyone in the last four years."

"The Omaha and UNO communities will love Rob and embrace him because of his infectious positive attitude that he emits every day. You can't help but be excited, motivated and even give a smile when you are around him. I am so happy for Rob and I feel so fortunate that I was able to keep him here for the past four years before this exciting move."

Kendall Rogers, D1Baseball.com co-owner and national reporter: "Rob has had a storied coaching career and a terrific reputation in the industry as a fantastic head coach, recruiter and evaluator of talent. Winning seems to be synonymous with Rob Fournier, and I expect that to be the case here, too. This is an excellent hire by the Mavs."

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