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Paul Blanchard

  blanchard@southwestmsu.edu 507-537-7268
 

    Paul Blanchard, the winningest coach in Southwest Minnesota State baseball history (by percentage), is in his 12th season as head coach where he has recorded 298 wins, one Northern Sun Conference championship, three Northern Sun Conference tournament championships and currently ranks in the top 50 for winningest active coach in NCAA Division II baseball. 
     He was named the fifth coach in SMSU history on July 14, 1996. 
     During his 11-year tenure in the Mustang dugout, Blanchard has molded the Mustang baseball program into a conference contender year in and year out, while recruiting and coaching some of the best players ever to play at SMSU. 
     During his time at SMSU, Blanchard has coached two NSIC Players of the Year, one NSIC Pitcher of the Year, 13 all-region players, SMSU’s only NCAA All-America and SMSU’s only Major League Baseball draft pick.
     Blanchard’s 11 seasons at Southwest Minnesota State has been a period marked by consistently competitive and winning baseball.  Since taking over as head coach in 1997, the Mustangs have had 10 winning seasons, won 30 or more games four times and have won three NSIC regular season or tournament championships. 
     One of the most respected coaches in the Northern Sun Conference and NCAA Division II, Blanchard has been a head coach at the collegiate level for 15 seasons and has racked up a career winning percentage of .615 at the junior college and Division II level.  His .586 winning percentage while coaching at SMSU ranks XX in the nation among active coaches.
     It would be easy for Blanchard to be satisfied over the past 11 seasons after leading his team to nearly 300 wins, an average of 27 per season, but Blanchard has tasted success everywhere he has been, and he knew when he came to SMSU in the summer of 1996, there was not a better place for a winner to be than at the helm of the Mustang program.
     Under his guidance, SMSU baseball has become synonymous with success, as he has led the Mustangs to become one of the most consistent programs in the Central Region. 
     During his tenure SMSU has ranked in the top ten in the region rankings nearly every season, including just missing the NCAA tournament with a fifth place final ranking in both 1998 and 1999. 
     After establishing a solid foundation for Mustang baseball, Blanchard has the baseball program setting its sights for higher goals in the future, which include another NSIC championship and the programs first ever berth into the NCAA tournament. 
     In his first season as the Mustang skipper in 1997, he led Southwest to a school record best 31-13 record and set 15 school records in the process.  The Mustangs capped his first season by winning the NSIC tournament championship held in Marshall.
     The 1998 season was a memorable one for Southwest Minnesota State as the team finished 33-16, setting a school record for wins in one season.  Southwest finished 14-6 in the NSIC, just one game out of the conference championship and just missed making their first ever appearance in the NCAA tournament.  Southwest broke five more team records in 1998 and for the first time in school history had two players named NCAA II All-Region.
     The 1999 season once again saw the Mustangs battle for a NCAA playoff spot.  Despite finishing just one game out of the regular season championship and winning their third NSIC tournament championship, the Mustangs finished fifth in the Central Region poll, just missing the NCAA tournament for the second straight year.
     The 2000 season saw the Mustangs fight through injuries that sidelined nearly every starter at one point during the season.  The team battled and still finished second in the NSIC regular season and played in the championship game of the NSIC tournament.
     After a young Mustang squad again suffered through injuries in 2001 to post a modest 21-18 season, SMSU rallied in 2002 to record 31 victories and won four straight games in the NSIC tournament to capture the program’s first NSIC title since 1996.
     In 2003, SMSU won 27 games, tying for the fifth most in one season in school history while earning another spot in the NSIC championship tournament.  During the 2004 season, SMSU won 30 games, the fourth most in one season and advanced to the NSIC championship tournament.
     In 2005, SMSU won 26 games and once again advanced to the NSIC championship tournament, before falling in the championship game.  Following the conclusion of the 2005 season two Mustang players earned honors never seen before at SMSU.  Junior pitcher Ryan Morse became SMSU’s first-ever Major League Baseball draft pick, being selected in the 13th round by Tampa Bay, while junior third baseman Colby Pack became SMSU’s first ever NCAA All-America.
     Despite a losing record in 2006, SMSU still advanced to the NSIC tournament where it finished in third place and during the season belted 47 home runs which ranks as the fourth most in school history.
     The 2007 season saw SMSU once again post a winning record with 26 victories and finish while finishing with a .336 team batting average ranking second in school history.
     A native of Minnetonka, Minn., Blanchard’s SMSU squads have been know for solid defense and strong hitting.  His teams have broken 10 offensive school records including runs, hits, doubles, triples, home runs, total bases and RBI, while his Mustang defense has also broken several single-season records, including double plays turned, putouts, fewest errors and fielding percentage.    
     Following the last 11 seasons, SMSU has ranked among the top nationally in fielding percentage, slugging percentage, doubles, home runs, batting average, scoring, stolen bases, pitching, and winning percentage.  In 1997 SMSU finished fourth in the nation in fielding, in1998 the pitching staff ranked tenth in ERA, while the 2005 team finished 14th in home runs per game.
     The 46-year old Blanchard played two seasons of baseball at Creighton University before transferring to the University of Minnesota where received his bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1987.  He was awarded a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota in physical education in 1991.
     While at Minnesota, Blanchard played both football and baseball for the Gophers and was a member of the 1982 Big Ten championship baseball team. 
     Following his playing days at Minnesota, Blanchard made his move to the coaching ranks as a graduate assistant for the baseball team in 1985.  During that season, Blanchard received the David Chelesnik Jr. Award for courage, determination and perseverance. 
     In 1986, Blanchard was named head coach at Normandale Community College in Bloomington.  Blanchard made his first head coaching experience a memorable one, as he lead the Lions to a 28-4 record and a trip to the NJCAA World Series.  Following the season Blanchard received Region 13 and North Central District Coach of the Year honors. 
     The next season Blanchard returned to the University of Minnesota as an assistant coach, where he spent the 1987, 1988 and 1990 seasons under legendary head coach John Anderson.
     After receiving his master’s degree in 1991, Blanchard moved to the high school ranks where he became the head coach of Minnetonka High School.  During his two-year tenure with the Skippers, his teams were 41-10, winning two conference championships, the 1992 Region 6AA championship and finishing in third place finish at the 1992 state tournament.
     In 1993, Blanchard returned to Normandale and revived the magic of 1986.  During his three years, he led the program to an overall record of 69-33, which included the 1994 MCCC state championship and a runner-up finish at the Region 13 tournament.  During his final season in 1995, he led the Lions to a third place finish in the region. 
     After leaving Normandale in 1995, he spent one season as an assistant coach at St. John’s before taking over at Southwest Minnesota State.
     Blanchard, who has spoke at numerous regional and national baseball coaches’ conventions, received another honor in 2003.  That summer he was named to the USA Baseball staff to help develop the USA Baseball 16-under National Team that competed and won the gold medal at the world championships in Taiwan.
     Blanchard and his wife Nancy live in Marshall and are the parents of two children, daughter, Jessica, and son, Joe.

Blanchard Through the Years at SMSU...

1997
• In his first season, Blanchard leads SMSU to a school record 31 wins and the NSIC Tournament Championship.  SMSU finishes the season with a 31-13 mark overall, 10-6 NSIC.
• The .705 team winning percentage is the best in school history.
• The Mustangs break seven team records during the course of the season.  SMSU sets team records for runs scored (371), batting average (.343), and RBI (330).
• The Mustang defense improved dramatically, as SMSU sets school records for double plays turned (52), fewest errors (52), and fielding percentage (.962).
• Chad Funk, Chris Pack, Dan Smith, and Mark Lickfelt all named All-NSIC.

1998
• The Mustangs set another school record for wins with 33.  SMSU finished 33-16, 14-6 NSIC and just misses their first NCAA tournament berth. 
• SMSU finishes second in the NSIC and loses in the championship game of the conference tournament.
• Shortstop Mark Lickfelt sets a school record for hits in a season with 64 and also breaks the school’s all-time hit.  He finished his career with 205 hits.
• Chris Pack finished the season with a school record nine wins.
• Chris Pack (first team) and Mark Lickfelt (second team) become the first ever Mustangs to earn NCAA II All-Central Region honors.
• Southwest broke three more school records, including doubles (94) and base hits (468).
• Dan Smith, Chris Pack, Mark Lickfelt, Jeremy Werner, and Matt Hanson named All-NSIC.

1999
• SMSU finishes 28-16-1, 15-7 NSIC, completing their third straight winning season, the first in school history.
• Southwest played for the regular season NSIC championship during the last game of the season but fell to league champion Minnesota-Duluth in the season finale.
• Mustangs go 3-0 in NSIC tournament to claim their third NSIC Tournament championship in four seasons.
• Highlighting the season were wins over nationally ranked SIU-Edwardsville and Indianapolis
• SMSU just misses their first NCAA tournament bid, falling one spot short of a region invite.
• Jeremy Hebl (first team) and Brad Stromdahl (second team) earn all-region honors.
• Jeremy Hebl, David Darr, Brad Stromdahl, Dan Smith named first team All-NSIC. 

2000
• Southwest finished the season 25-18, 12-4 NSIC, good for second place.
• SSU takes second place in the NSIC tournament.
• B.J. Richter sets school records for saves (11) and appearances (34).
• Richter (first team) and Jeremy Hebl (second team) earn all-region honors.
• Dan Smith, Matt Hanson, Jeremy Hebl, B.J. Richter, and Matt Tiggas named first team All-NSIC.

2001
• Southwest finished 21-18, 11-4 NSIC, which is a school-best sixth straight winning season
• SMSU hits a team record 50 home runs
• SMSU hit seven home runs in a game twice, setting a new school record
• SMSU tied school record with 24 runs scored in win over Minnesota-Morris
• SMSU beats Wayne State and NSIC pitcher of the year Brady Borner in first round of NSIC tournament.
• Matt Tiggas named NSIC Player of the Year
• Mike Negen named NSIC Newcomer of the Year
• Matt Tiggas, Ryan Dalum, Derrick Jenniges, Marc Craigmile, Mike Negen and Joe Westphal named first team All-NSIC
• Matt Tiggas named first team all-region

2002
• Southwest ends season 31-19, 18-6 NSIC, wins NSIC championship by winning four straight games in NSIC Tournament
• SMSU wins fourth NSIC Tournament since the tournament started in 1996
• SMSU records third 30-plus win season in school history
• Chris Monaco, Travis Irwin, Jacob Swartout, T.J. Schmidt and Pat O’Brien named first team All-NSIC
• Pat O’Brien named NSIC Pitcher of the Year
• SMSU sets school record with 112 doubles
• Travis Irwin (first team) and Pat O’Brien (second team) named all-region

2003
• Southwest Minnesota State ends season 27-20, 16-6 NSIC
• The 27 wins are tied for the fifth most in one season in school history
• SMSU had five wins against Top 30 teams
• SMSU led the conference in batting average, runs and doubles
• Team batting average of .330 was second best in school history
• Junior Brendan Rokke named second team Academic All-America
• Scott Becker, Craig Braaten, Jeff Groebner, Brad Hundt, Ryan Morse and Nick Rohne named first team All-NSIC

2004
• Southwest Minnesota State finished 30-22, 17-11 NSIC
• Just the fourth 30-win season in school
• SMSU’s .334 team batting average is second best in school history
• SMSU’s 510 hits sets new school record
• SMSU received votes for NCBW Top 25 poll on April 30
• Craig Braaten, Nick Rohne, Colby Pack and Ryan Morse named first team All-NSIC
• Senior Brendan Rokke named first team Academic All-America

2005
• Southwest Minnesota State finishes season 26-22, 12-10 NSIC
• SMSU finishes second in NSIC, losing to Wayne State in finals of NSIC championship tournament
• Ryan Morse becomes first SMSU player ever drafted by a MLB team as he was selected in the 13th round by Tampa Bay
• Colby Pack becomes the program’s first ever NCAA All-America, earning third team honors from the ABCA
• Ryan Morse, Colby Pack, Derek Rignell and Nathan Koppi named first team All-NSIC
• Colby Pack named NSIC Player of the Year
• Colby Pack (first team), Ryan Morse (second team) and Derek Rignell (second team) earn all-region honors
• SMSU sets new school record with 52 home runs

2006
• Southwest Minnesota State finishes season 20-30, 10-8 NSIC, fourth place
• SMSU finishes third in NSIC tournament, losing to Concordia in semifinals
• John Goneau and Colby Pack named first team All-NSIC
• Colby Pack named second team Academic All-District

2007
• Southwest Minnesota State finishes season 26-16, 17-7 NSIC, third place
• Nathan Koppi named second team all-region
• Ryan Norman named first team Academic All-District
• Greg Laughlin named second team Academic All-District
• SMSU ties school record with .962 fielding pct.
• SMSU sets school record for fewest errors with 51