Xavier University Athletics
Austin Cousino Promoted to Assistant Coach as Yacinich, James Join Staff
01.03.19 | Baseball
CINCINNATI - Head coach Billy O'Conner announced a trio of staff updates for the 2019 season on Thursday, promoting Austin Cousino to a full-time assistant role and adding two more members to his staff. Jake Yacinich and Matthew James join the program in the volunteer assistant and director of baseball operations role, respectively.
The moves complete the XU baseball staff for the upcoming season.
Cousino was named volunteer assistant ahead of the 2018 season and was promoted after one season with the Musketeers. Prior to XU, Cousino was the graduate assistant at Mississippi State where he helped lead the Bulldogs to the College World Series for the 10th time in program history.
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Selected in the third round of the 2014 MLB First Year Player Draft by the Seattle Mariners, Cousino played three seasons in the minor leagues before retiring after the 2016 season to pursue a coaching career.
A center fielder at the University of Kentucky, Cousino was the 2012 SEC Freshman of the Year and a three-time Rawlings Gold Glove winner for the Wildcats. He played on a pair of NCAA Tournament teams in 2012 and 2014, capping his career as a CoSIDA Academic All-American in 2014.
"Austin has shown to be a valuable asset in his short time with the program," said O'Conner. "His ability to teach and relate to our players has been very impressive, and I have no doubt that his infectious personality will allow him to be an excellent recruiter as well. We're lucky to have Austin as part of the program."
Yacinich played three seasons collegiately as an infielder at Iowa and was drafted in the eighth round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels. He spent five seasons in the Angels organization and reached the AAA level of MiLB in 2017 before retiring to focus on coaching.
A First Team All-Big Ten shortstop at Iowa, Yacinich was a team captain and hit .365 as a junior before heading into the draft. He completed his bachelor of science degree in health and human physiology in 2018.
"Jake is fresh off of playing and will bring a passion and energy to the way he approaches coaching," said O'Conner. "It was very evident in talking with him how closely his coaching style aligns with our program, with a clear emphasis on building relationships and doing whatever it takes to help our players develop."
James comes to XU from Heartland Community College, where he was an assistant coach for two seasons. He was a starting pitcher and infielder at Illinois from 2013-17, helping the Illini to a 2015 Big Ten Championship and NCAA Super Regional appearance in 2015.
At Heartland, he helped the Hawks to a 46-10 record and an MWAC Championship in 2017. A program record 14 players moved on to Division I schools under his tutelage.
He graduated with a bachelor of science in recreation, sport and tourism in 2017.
"Matthew comes highly recommended after spending last season with Coach Furlong at Heartland," said O'Conner. "He will fill a crucial role for us in helping the program room smoothly from an operational standpoint. And having a strong baseball background like he does, we'll be able to utilize him in some different analytical/scouting roles too."
Xavier begins its 2019 season on Friday, Feb. 15 at North Carolina for a three-game series in Chapel Hill, N.C.
The moves complete the XU baseball staff for the upcoming season.
Cousino was named volunteer assistant ahead of the 2018 season and was promoted after one season with the Musketeers. Prior to XU, Cousino was the graduate assistant at Mississippi State where he helped lead the Bulldogs to the College World Series for the 10th time in program history.
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Selected in the third round of the 2014 MLB First Year Player Draft by the Seattle Mariners, Cousino played three seasons in the minor leagues before retiring after the 2016 season to pursue a coaching career.
A center fielder at the University of Kentucky, Cousino was the 2012 SEC Freshman of the Year and a three-time Rawlings Gold Glove winner for the Wildcats. He played on a pair of NCAA Tournament teams in 2012 and 2014, capping his career as a CoSIDA Academic All-American in 2014.
"Austin has shown to be a valuable asset in his short time with the program," said O'Conner. "His ability to teach and relate to our players has been very impressive, and I have no doubt that his infectious personality will allow him to be an excellent recruiter as well. We're lucky to have Austin as part of the program."
Yacinich played three seasons collegiately as an infielder at Iowa and was drafted in the eighth round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels. He spent five seasons in the Angels organization and reached the AAA level of MiLB in 2017 before retiring to focus on coaching.
A First Team All-Big Ten shortstop at Iowa, Yacinich was a team captain and hit .365 as a junior before heading into the draft. He completed his bachelor of science degree in health and human physiology in 2018.
"Jake is fresh off of playing and will bring a passion and energy to the way he approaches coaching," said O'Conner. "It was very evident in talking with him how closely his coaching style aligns with our program, with a clear emphasis on building relationships and doing whatever it takes to help our players develop."
James comes to XU from Heartland Community College, where he was an assistant coach for two seasons. He was a starting pitcher and infielder at Illinois from 2013-17, helping the Illini to a 2015 Big Ten Championship and NCAA Super Regional appearance in 2015.
At Heartland, he helped the Hawks to a 46-10 record and an MWAC Championship in 2017. A program record 14 players moved on to Division I schools under his tutelage.
He graduated with a bachelor of science in recreation, sport and tourism in 2017.
"Matthew comes highly recommended after spending last season with Coach Furlong at Heartland," said O'Conner. "He will fill a crucial role for us in helping the program room smoothly from an operational standpoint. And having a strong baseball background like he does, we'll be able to utilize him in some different analytical/scouting roles too."
Xavier begins its 2019 season on Friday, Feb. 15 at North Carolina for a three-game series in Chapel Hill, N.C.
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