ASSISTANT PROMOTED TO FULL-TIME STATUS

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Jun 3, 2008 | by JAKE SCHALLER

Air Force has promoted Chandler Rose to full-time assistant baseball coach, Falcons coach Mike Hutcheon announced Monday.

Rose, who served as an unpaid volunteer assistant the past two years, replaces Maj. Mike Kazlausky, who left the program following the recently completed season.

Details of Rose's contract still are being finalized, according to an academy release.

"He's going to be one of the most sought-after young coaches in years to come," Hutcheon said of Rose.

"He's just so knowledgeable, he's got a knack for what he's doing, he relates really well to the players and he's played at a high level."

Rose, who turns 27 today, grew up in Fort Myers, Fla. He spent two years playing for New Orleans before transferring to Central Florida, where he lettered two years. In his senior year (2004), Rose was an Atlantic Sun all-conference selection and helped lead UCF to the Atlantic Sun title.

Rose spent one season as an assistant at Florida Gulf Coast University before joining the academy staff prior to the 2007 season. Air Force went 18-33 in 2008, winning 10 more games than it did in 2007.

Rose said a desire to complete the struggling program's turnaround was a major reason for wanting to stay at the academy.

"I'm really excited about the future," Rose said.

Rose's primary responsibilities will be working with the infielders and assisting Hutcheon with the hitters.

In his two years with the program, Air Force improved its defensive fielding percentage. The Falcons had a .957 percentage in 2008, which tied the alltime single-season mark at the academy.

Rose also will take on a role in recruiting.

"Talking to all the guys, even before when he was just a volunteer, we wanted him there full-time," junior pitcher Jake Petro said. "We feel like he's the right guy for the job."