Baseball 5/9/2025 2:00:00 PM

Fornelli to Retire From Pitt State Coaching Post

PITTSBURG — Pittsburg State University athletic director Jim Johnson announced today (May 9) that Bob Fornelli has disclosed his intention to retire from his position as the Gorillas head baseball coach following the end of the 2025 season.

"We are tremendously sorry to lose a coach and a person the caliber of Bob from our department," Johnson said. "Coach Fornelli has elevated our program back to one of the elite squads in the MIAA and the Central Region of NCAA Division II. The future remains bright for the Gorillas moving forward; and this record-breaking 2025 season is far from complete! We are excited for Coach Fornelli and the team as Sunday's NCAA postseason announcement comes and the Gorillas prepare for the regional tournament."

Fornelli, who has guided Pitt State to a 39-10 overall record this season, became just the fourth active NCAA Division II head coach to reach 1,100 career victories in the Gorillas' 13-7 win vs. Northeastern State on Mar. 30. Fornelli has a 1,117-493 (.694) record in 29 years as a collegiate coach, including a 212-114 (.650) mark in seven seasons at the Pitt State helm. He recorded his 200th career with at Pitt State in the Gorillas 8-5 win over Missouri Southern on Apr. 9.

"I want to say thank you to Pittsburg State University, to our administration and staff as well as all the Gorillas players and alumni who all have made these seven years so special for me and my family," Fornelli said. "My tenure as head baseball coach will end when the season wraps up but Jill and I are not leaving Pittsburg; and I will continue to do all I can to help the Gorillas."

Fornelli became just the fifth head coach in the 45-year history of the program on June 5, 2018. He led the Gorillas to a 31-21 overall record (20-13 MIAA) as the squad advanced to the semifinals of the 2019 MIAA Postseason Tournament. The Gorillas posted a 14-8 mark (4-2 MIAA) before the Covid-19 pandemic cut short the 2020 season.

In 2021, Fornelli guided Pitt State to a 30-16 overall record (21-12 MIAA). The Gorillas reached the championship game of the 2021 MIAA Postseason Tournament before falling to eventual national runner-up Central Missouri. In 2022, the Gorillas posted a 31-21 overall record and a 22-11 mark in MIAA play. Pitt State advanced to the semifinals of the 2022 MIAA Postseason Tournament.

In 2023, Pitt State compiled a 33-20 overall mark (21-12 MIAA) and advanced to the semifinals of the 2023 MIAA Postseason Tournament. In 2024, the Gorillas fashioned the fifth 30-win campaign of his tenure as Pitt State posted a 34-18 overall record (22-11 MIAA) and advanced to the semifinals of the 2024 MIAA Postseason Tournament.

This spring, the Gorillas have matched the program record for wins with 39 and a victory in the NCAA postseason would give Pitt State its first-ever 40-win campaign. The Gorillas fashioned a 27-9 mark in MIAA play during the regular season, finishing second in the conference standings to UCM. Pitt State, currently the No. 15 ranked team in NCAA Division II, dropped a 2-1 decision to Washburn in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Postseason Tournament Thursday (May 8) at Al Ortolani Field.

Fornelli came to Pitt State from MIAA rival Emporia State University where he fashioned a 599-266 (.692) record in 15 seasons leading his alma mater (2004-18). Fornelli guided the Hornets to 13 trips to the NCAA Division II National Tournament, two appearances in the D2 World Series and a national runner-up finish in 2009. He led ESU to five MIAA regular season crowns (2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2017) and a pair of MIAA Tournament titles (2007, 2014).

Prior to ESU, Fornelli compiled a 306-113 (.730) record in seven seasons at Fort Hays State University. He led the Tigers to four Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference titles and six NCAA Tournament appearances, including a berth in the D2 national championship game in 2000. He remains the winningest head coach in FHSU program history.

Prior to his tenure at FHSU, Fornelli served as pitching coach at Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kan., from 1992-96. The Grizzlies posted a 195-86 (.694) record during his five seasons on staff, finishing third at the NJCAA World Series in 1994.

A Lenexa, Kan., native, Fornelli earned honorable mention All-Central States Intercollegiate Conference (CSIC) honors as a catcher for ESU his senior season. He played two seasons at Butler Community College before joining the Hornets.

Fornelli earned a bachelor's degree in general studies from ESU in 1991. He is married to the former Jill Harris of Madison, Kan. The couple has three adult daughters: Emma, Rylie and Addison.

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