Ric Lessmann, head coach of the Washington University in St. Louis baseball team, announced his retirement due to health concerns on Tuesday, May 25, closing a 46-year coaching career and 17 seasons at Washington University. Lessmann, the winningest coach in Wash. U. baseball history with an overall record of 396-231-1, has cited health concerns as the main reason behind his retirement.
In 1994, after 27 seasons as the head coach of St. Louis Community College at Meramec in which he made nine College World Series appearances and won the 1974 National Championship, Lessmann began his tenure at Washington University. Under Lessmann, the Bears have posted 12-straight winning seasons, a program-best 34-7 in 2006, along with four postseason appearances.
Lessmann became the 18th coach in college baseball history to record 1,000 wins or more in 1995, and at the time, was third winningest baseball coach in Junior College history. His retirement is effective immediately.