A familiar face has returned to Husker baseball. Will Bolt was hired on Friday as the new head coach for Nebraska baseball after the departure of Darin Erstad, a source confirmed to Hail Varsity. Nebraska quickly confirmed the news as well.
https://twitter.com/Huskers/status/1139640216891867137
“The opportunity to come back home to Nebraska and lead the Husker baseball program is such a blessing and honor for my family and me,” Bolt said in a release from Nebraska. “It is such an exciting time in Husker athletics with the foundation laid by Bill Moos within the athletic department, and the success Coach Erstad and staff have had on the field.
“My family and I have the fondest affection for the Huskers and the city of Lincoln, and truly cannot wait to become part of the Husker family again!”
Bolt returns to Nebraska after spending his last five years at Texas A&M under head coach Rob Childress. The Conroe, Texas, native has spent significant time at both Nebraska and A&M through his playing and coaching career.
Bolt played at Nebraska under Dave Van Horn from 1999-2002. As a player, Bolt experienced years of success. The Huskers appeared in four straight regionals and back-to-back College World Series in 2001 and 2002 with Bolt as a team captain. He finished his career holding six school records, including games played (251), games started (242), at-bats (922), hits (281), doubles (56) and assists (639).
Bolt remained at Nebraska for two more years as a graduate manager and volunteer assistant coach before following Childress to Texas A&M in 2006. Bolt served four years as head coach for Texarkana College and led the team to four straight Regional Tournament appearances from 2008-2011.
In 2012, Bolt returned to Nebraska as an associate head coach under Darin Erstad. Bolt helped the Huskers get back to the NCAA Tournament in 2014 after a five-year slump.
In 2013, Nebraska’s defense was statistically the best in school history. The Huskers ranked second in the country with a .981 fielding percentage, setting school and Big Ten records. The Husker offense also ranked in the top three in the Big Ten in eight offensive categories.
After three seasons under Erstad, Bolt was hired back at A&M as an assistant coach where he spent the last five seasons. The Aggies won at least 40 games in four straight seasons from 2015-2018. The last five seasons under Childress included three regional titles and a College World Series appearance in 2017.
“Will Bolt has been a winner at every stop he has made as a coach and player, and I am proud to welcome him back to Lincoln as our next head baseball coach,” athletic director Bill Moos said in the release. “Will was a part of the most successful teams in the history of our baseball program, and he knows what it takes to win here.
“Will has proven to be an outstanding recruiter wherever he has coached. He understands the appeal of Nebraska and everything our baseball program and University has to offer to student-athletes.”
Bolt’s contract is for five years. He will make $300,000 annually.
