Mike Ott, Kalamazoo College's head baseball coach since June 2012, announced today that he is leaving K to become the next head coach at Eastern Michigan University.

"I have been blessed to have served as the head coach at Kalamazoo over the past 14 years," Ott said. "I have given everything I have to this position, and I am tremendously proud of the accomplishments we made in that time elevating the program. I am indebted to so many and I am grateful to every player, coach, administrator, family member, and alumni that has been a part of this."

During his 14 seasons at Kalamazoo, Ott transformed the Hornet baseball program into a perennial conference, regional, and national contender. He became Kalamazoo's all-time winningest baseball coach in 2022 and earned his 300th career victory in 2026. Ott concludes his tenure at Kalamazoo with a 316-233-1 record (.575).

Under Ott's leadership, Kalamazoo recorded ten 20-win seasons, including six consecutive seasons with at least 25 victories. The Hornets also posted four 30-win seasons, highlighted by a school-record 33 wins in 2026 (33-13). Named D3baseball.com Region 7 Coach of the Year in 2023, Ott guided Kalamazoo to the MIAA regular-season championship that spring, the program's first conference title since 1927. He followed that achievement by leading the Hornets to a second consecutive MIAA regular-season championship in 2024, marking the program's first back-to-back conference titles since 1919-20. Kalamazoo also captured MIAA Tournament championships in 2016 and 2022.

The Hornets made the program's first three NCAA Division III Tournament appearances under Ott's leadership in 2016, 2022, and 2026. Kalamazoo earned its first NCAA Tournament regional victory in 2022 and advanced to its first regional final in 2026. The Hornets were ranked as high as No. 6 nationally during the 2026 season.

Kalamazoo also earned its first All-Region, All-America, and Academic All-America honors during Ott's tenure. Off the field, the program earned the MIAA Team GPA Award seven consecutive years from 2017-23 and was recognized multiple times for its volunteer and community service efforts.

"We are incredibly grateful to Coach Ott for his leadership, dedication, and the lasting impact he has had on our baseball program and the lives of our student-athletes," said Jamie Zorbo, Director of Athletics. "Coach Ott built a culture of excellence, elevated the program to national prominence, and fostered meaningful relationships throughout our campus community. While we are certainly saddened to see him leave, this opportunity is a testament to the outstanding work he has done and is a well-deserved next step in his career. We are excited for Mike and his family as they begin this new chapter and wish them nothing but success at Eastern Michigan University."

A national search for Kalamazoo College's next head baseball coach will begin immediately.