MINNEAPOLIS — Since 1974, John Anderson could always be found in the University of Minnesota's dugout.
Whether a player, student assistant, graduate assistant, assistant coach or head coach, Anderson has long been a key member of the Gophers' baseball team.
Racking up more than 1,300 victories, he's already the winningest coach in Big Ten baseball history. With 11 Big Ten titles, 10 conference tournament championships and 18 NCAA tournament appearances, Anderson's impact will live long after he hangs up the cleats. On Tuesday, he announced when those cleats were coming off for good.
In a press release, Anderson said he will retire following the 2024 season.
"It's been the professional honor of my lifetime to work alongside some of the most talented and dedicated coaches in college baseball, support staff members, gifted colleagues, amazing student-athletes and an impressive group of alumni and donors who provided unwavering support throughout my tenure," said Anderson in a press release. "I am grateful for the support of all the athletic directors I worked with throughout my career. The University and the tradition-rich Golden Gopher baseball program have impacted me and my family with so many special opportunities and wonderful memories. My hope is, as the leader of the program, I have been able to make the same impact in return. I will forever cherish my time as a student-athlete and coach and the important lifelong friendships and special relationships that were made during the past decades. There will be time to reminisce and share all the great stories that were created on this special journey when the 2024 season is over. But right now, my staff and I are focused on preparing our team for the season ahead and mentoring them into their best version of themselves, so they can reach their potential in the classroom and on the diamond."
Anderson took over as the Gophers' head coach in 1982 and immediately took them to the NCAA tournament, the first of his 18 appearances. He twice led Minnesota to four-year streaks of NCAA Regional tournament appearances (1991-94 and 1998-2001)and a Super Regional appearance in 2018.
"John is Minnesota baseball," said U of M Director of Athletics Mark Coyle in a release. "He is one of the finest coaches and individuals in all of college athletics, and our University and state are better off because of his contributions. We look forward to celebrating his final season as the leader of the Gophers."
During his time as Minnesota's skipper, 115 Gophers have been drafted to the MLB, including an active 36-year streak where at least one U of M player has been selected — the longest in Big Ten history.
Entering his final season, Anderson is 1,365-997-3 with a Big Ten record of 614-414. He's had 36 winning season, and was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year eight times, most recently in 2018. He was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association (2008), the University of Minnesota "M" Club (2002), the Minnesota High School Baseball Coaches Association (2013) and the Hibbing Community College hall of fames.
The Gophers have not yet named a new coach, but whoever is given the nod, will no doubt have some rather large cleats to fill.
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