LAFAYETTE – Head coach Tony Robichaux has promoted Anthony Babineaux to associate head coach for the Ragin’ Cajuns baseball program, the Louisiana Athletics Department announced on Wednesday.
 
Babineaux has been a member of the Ragin’ Cajuns coaching staff since 1995, the inaugural season of the Tony Robichaux era.
 
“Coach Babineaux has fully earned this promotion through his dedication, loyalty and coaching abilities,” Robichaux said. “He has gained valuable knowledge from not only myself, but other successful coaches such as Wade Simoneaux, John Szefc, Jason Gonzales, Mike Trahan and Brooks Badeaux.
 
“He has had great experience over his career on the bases, and now will move into the dugout and be my bench coach,” Robichaux added. “This promotion will give Anthony the opportunity to do what he is great at and prepare him for his next step, becoming a head baseball coach.”
 
Now entering his 19^th season as a coach with the program, he is in charge of the Cajuns’ infielders and also works with the offense, assists in recruiting and coordinates travel and scheduling.
 
Babineaux recently served as head assistant coach and third base coach from 2009-12.
 
The 2009 Cajuns increased their batting average by 30 points and runs scored, doubles, triples, RBI, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage also increased.
 
In 2010, the Cajuns stole 101 bases which was one off the Sun Belt lead and most since 2002. UL had four players with double digit stolen bases, also the highest since 2002.  In 2011, the Cajuns led the Sun Belt Conference in stolen bases with 82. 
 
“I am extremely excited and honored to have earned this opportunity,” Babineaux mentioned. “Ragin’ Cajuns baseball has been my life for the past 18 years, 22 including being a student-athlete. To be a part of the progress and growth of our program has been tremendous.
 
“I would like to thank Coach Robichaux and Scott Farmer for entrusting me with this responsibility,” Babineaux added.
 
Babineaux’s collegiate coaching career began as a student assistant in 1995 – Tony Robichaux’s first year at UL. In 1996, he served as volunteer assistant and was appointed assistant coach in 1997.
 
A product of nearby Carencro High School, Babineaux donned a Cajuns uniform as a student-athlete from 1992-94. He is a 1995 graduate of UL, earning a degree in health and physical education.
 
Babineaux is married to former Ragin’ Cajuns softball star Joni Podhorez of Tucker, Ga. The couple has two daughters, Brooklyn and Sydney.