Getting to know new Aggie baseball assistant coach

Austin Knight joins Aggie baseball staff

On being hired by Coach Childress...

“I’m flattered. I’m super excited to be here. I told the guys that Texas A&M was my favorite place to play when I was playing and coaching. I just love the way they have done things since Rob Childress has been here, and to be a part of it is a dream come true.”

On how he got the job…

“I was actually going to take a community college assistant job in California at College of the Desert when Childress called me. I wasn’t even there for a week when Mike Clement got the gig (with Kansas State). Childress then called me and asked me if I was interested. I just had to pray and seek council. Luckily the coach at College of the Desert is an incredible man and said, ‘I support you, go after it if you can get’, and thankfully it all worked out.”

On how his coaching philosophy fits into the A&M system…

“I think it’s right on. Part of the reason I was so excited was because I had heard a number of other people say that it would be a good fit and that they do things right at A&M. Once I spoke to them over the phone, and especially talked to them in person, I knew that from a work ethic standpoint, and from a camaraderie standpoint, not only with the guys, but the coaching staff, everything would work out.”

On the success other volunteer assistants have had after leaving A&M…

“I spoke to Childress, and he informed me of that information which hooked me immediately. I probably would have come here anyway, but to hear that volunteers of the past have been mentored by these guys so well, it made it a no-brainer.”

On his assessment of the talent level…

“There are not only good bats out here, but it appears that the athleticism overall is great. From a defensive standpoint of course A&M always has arms. Speed is always here, maybe even better than in the past from what I’ve heard. I’m super excited about getting to work with first class athletes like these guys. “

On his collegiate baseball background…

“I started in the spring of 2007, so I played against A&M at the end of the year in a series all four years. I played as a short stop then moved over to second base and then I volunteered for the last two years and unfortunately we didn’t get to come here last year. It’s an incredible place as everyone knows.”

On what stuck out about playing at A&M while he was playing for DBU…

“Honestly all four years when I would step off the bus, I would have a perfect view of second base. I think it was Parker Dalton and a couple other guys diving after balls in batting practice. I stepped off the bus thinking, if I didn’t go to Dallas Baptist, this is the kind of place I would like to play because they constantly got after it, not only in the pregame but in the game and it seemed like that was a big emphasis. Of course the facilities of course the fan support but beyond that it seemed like they were doing something different than most teams.”

On his first reaction to the new Blue Bell Park…

“Words can’t explain. It’s got to be, if not the, best facility in college baseball in the country. To be able to be here is a privilege.”