ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) -- New head baseball coach Greg Lovelady has announced Ryan Klosterman will remain on the Knights coaching staff and Justin Parker will come to UCF from Wright State.
Klosterman will serve as hitting coach and recruiting coordinator, while Parker will be UCF's pitching coach.
"Keeping Coach Klosterman was a no-brainer for me," Lovelady said. "His pedigree, experience and knowledge of the game are exactly what I look for in a coach. His love for UCF and the Orlando community as well as his relationships with our players, recruits and other coaches around the country made it an easy decision. I can't thank him and his wife Kaitlyn enough for trusting in me and I look forward to a great future with them at UCF."
Klosterman, who will enter his sixth season with the Knights in 2017, spent his first four years at UCF working with the infielders and team defense, before adding the additional responsibilities of recruiting coordinator and hitting coach last season. He says he is excited about Lovelady's vision for the Knights.
"I was hooked after just one conversation with Coach Lovelady," Klosterman said. "He has a genuine belief in developing players through relationships and his track record speaks for itself. I am honored and thankful for the opportunity to continue being a part of the UCF family."
In 2016, junior slugger Matt Diorio thrived under Klosterman's guidance and was selected in the 16th round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Klosterman's defense turned 59 double plays in 2016, which ranked 16th nationally and fourth in program history.
Parker, who served as an assistant coach at Wright State under Lovelady since 2014, guided the Raiders pitching staff and had been with the team in other capacities since 2011.
"Having Justin come with me to UCF is a huge deal for our program," Lovelady said. "Our success at Wright state the last three years was a direct result of his uncanny ability to develop relationships with players and recruits, develop pitchers into all-conference and Major League prospects, and help me with game management. He is a tireless worker who will make sure we recruit quality student-athletes and then maximize their abilities as we work hard to bring championships to UCF and Orlando"
The Raiders pitching staff enjoyed a great deal success under Parker. Last season, freshman pitcher Caleb Sampen was named Horizon League Newcomer of the Year, while senior ace Jess Scholtens compiled a 10-1 record, which included the first perfect game in school history.
"I'm unbelievably grateful and excited about this opportunity," Parker said. "I want to thank Coach Lovelady for believing in me. I can't wait to start working with such a tremendous athletic department and talented roster to elevate the tradition of UCF Baseball. I'm looking forward to beginning the next step in my coaching career in Orlando."
As a player for Wright State, Parker earned first-team Horizon League selections in 2007 and 2008, second-team ABCA All-Region in 2007, and was an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America recipient in 2008. He graduated from Wright State with a bachelor's degree in Organizational Leadership in 2012.
