Ted Tom begins his seventh year in the program as an Assistant Coach. Currently, he works with the outfielders and baserunners while assisting with recruiting and hitting.
In 2023, Tom led an offense that set multiple UCF program records, including belting 109 home runs to shatter the American Athletic Conference record from 2019, finishing the season nationally ranked No. 11 in home runs and No. 14 in home runs per game (1.85). For the second consecutive year, three Knights hit above .319, tying the most in a single season over the last ten years. Tom saw Ben McCabe through his highest offensive production in his five seasons as a Knight, getting tabbed an All-American by Collegiate Baseball and the NCBWA. Two hitters were named to the AAC All-Conference First Team in McCabe and Andrew Sundean, and Drew Faurot was a unanimous selection to the all-conference freshman team.
The 2022 season saw the Knights offense lead the AAC in hitting during the conference season. Freshman Andrew Sundean was named a Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American and Second Team All-AAC after hitting .348 for the season. Senior Gephry Pena finished his career with a Second Team All-AAC nod after hitting .329 and stealing 24 bases. Sophomore Alex Freeland was drafted in the third round by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In 2021, the Knights lost in the AAC Championship game. Catcher Josh Crouch was an 11th Round Draft Selection by the Detroit Tigers after being named a Second Team All-AAC selection. Senior OF Jordan Rathbone hit 14 HRs and was named First Team All-AAC. Junior CF Gephry Pena led the team with 26 stolen bases and was named Second Team All-AAC.
Ted was promoted to Hitting Coach and Recruiting Coordinator in August 2019. In Tom’s first season as the hitting coach in a covid shortened 2020 season, the Knights ended the year 15-3 and ranked No. 12 including a three-game sweep on the road at Auburn.
In his first two years at UCF, Tom coached the outfielders, served as the first base coach, led the baserunning program, and assisted with the hitters. Regulars Tyler Osik and Ray Alejo flourished during their first year under Tom in 2018. Senior Max Wood stepped up over the final 19 games of the year, including a walk-off winner in the regular-season finale against Tulane.
Tom oversaw a pair of All-Conference selections. Alejo finished the year ranked fifth in the nation with 34 stolen bases. Osik led the team with 56 RBI, good for third in The American. Both players were tabbed to the conference's second team. Tom further helped their development in 2019 with Alejo selected second team All-Conference and Osik being selected in the 27th round of the MLB Draft by the White Sox after splitting time between the outfield and first base his redshirt senior year.
Prior to arriving in Orlando, Tom spent three seasons at fellow American Athletic Conference member Cincinnati. He joined the Bearcats as the director of baseball operations in 2015, covering the day-to-day operations, video, and scouting for one season.
In 2016, Tom was promoted to assistant coach and remained in that role for his final two years at Cincinnati. He played an integral part in raising the UC team batting average by 16 points and taking the team scoring average up to five runs per game. He also assisted in recruiting several players on the UC team that won the 2019 American Athletic Tournament and played in an NCAA Regional. Former UC standout Ryan Noda made his MLB debut in 2023.
Tom joined UC after seven seasons as the head coach at his alma mater Shawnee State University, where he compiled a record of 203-193. Tom was named 2010 Conference Coach of the Year and helped develop two Conference Player of the Year selections in catcher Philip Butler (2011) and outfielder Danny Gesick (2010) while pitcher Derek Moore was named an NAIA All-American as a Freshman in 2014. Butler is also the only 2-time NAIA All-American in SSU history.
In 2011, the Bears entered the Mid-South Conference and ended their first season in the new conference with a bang. After finishing the regular season as the second place team in the Eastern Division, the Bears went undefeated in the conference tournament to advance to the NAIA Opening Round. This marked the Shawnee State's return to the National Tournament for the first time in 11 years. The 2011 season was highlighted by the play of senior catcher Phillip Butler. Butler earned MSC Player of the Year honors while also earning First Team All-MSC as he led the conference in almost every offensive category including home runs and RBI’s. He was also named to the NAIA All-American First Team becoming the first player in school history to not only make First Team but also become a two-time All-American. Four players, including Butler, earned MSC All-Conference honors. Junior Cody Morrison earned First Team All-MSC while juniors Danny Gesick and Kendal Coleman made Honorable Mention. Josue Ahorrio, Aaron Suydam, AJ Gomez, and Jordan Stum each earned MSC Scholar Athlete awards.
The 2010 season marked the Bears final season in the American Mideast Conference, where they became the first team in school history to win the Regular Season Championship—allowing them to host the conference tournament in the friendly confines of Branch Rickey Park. Tom earned AMC Coach of the Year honors for his team’s performance. For only the second time in school history, the AMC Conference Player of the Year Award went to an SSU Bear. Sophomore outfielder Danny Gesick earned Player of the Year Honors as he led the conference in home runs and runs batted in. Gesick and junior catcher, Phillip Butler each earned Honorable Mention All-American honors becoming two of only 12 other Bears to earn All-American Honors. Ten of Tom’s players earned AMC All-Conference selections. Gesick, Butler, senior first baseman Brian Ramey, sophomore RHP Austin Dunfee, sophomore infielder Adam Wamsley each earned First Team All-AMC. Junior RHP Andrew Carter and sophomore third baseman Nick Ball earned Second Team Honors while sophomore outfielder Quentin Everman, junior designated hitter Ricky Masson, and sophomore infielder Jordan Maier each earned Honorable Mention awards. Wamsley was the AMC Gold Glove winner at shortstop. Ramey also became a two-time recipient of the NAIA Scholar Athlete award for his work in the classroom.
In 2009, he led the Baseball Bears to a 25-30 record and for the first time since 2003, a winning record (18-16) in the American Mideast Conference. Four of his players earned All-AMC honors and two more earned NAIA Scholar Athlete Awards, including senior outfielder Drew Howard (First Team), senior third basemen Logan Crabtree (Second Team), sophomore pitcher Andrew Carter (Second Team), junior first basemen Brian Ramey (Second Team and NAIA Scholar Athlete) and junior catcher Mike Roelker (NAIA Scholar Athlete).
In Tom’s first season, the Bears finished 16-29 with a 10-16 conference mark. Three of his players earned All-AMC honors including: Jon Venters (Second Team), Drew Howard (HM), and Zac Alexander (HM). Jeremy Blackston earned the honor of NAIA Scholar Athlete as well. Jon Venters has gone on to sign a professional contract to play in the Can Am Independent League marking Tom’s first Bear professional player.
Prior to Shawnee State, Tom spent 2007 as the outfield instructor at the IMG Baseball Academies in Bradenton, Florida, where he also was a head coach in Florida Collegiate Instructional League.
Ted spent the 2005 and 2006 seasons as the volunteer assistant coach at Indiana University. While there, his responsibilities included outfield play, coaching first base, and assisting with the hitters while also working on Sembower Field. During this time, he earned his master’s degree in athletic administration.
Tom graduated from Shawnee State with a degree in Sport Management with minors in business and sport coaching in 2004 and having been a red-shirt member of the 2000 team that finished fifth in the NAIA World Series. As a player, Tom earned All-AMC honors as well as the Joe Smith Memorial Award which is given to the outstanding senior student that best exemplifies the attitude and sportsmanship of Smith. In the summer of 2003, he played for the Clarinda A’s in the MINK Collegiate Wood Bat Summer League.
Tom also has extensive experience in summer baseball. In 2008, he was the mentor of the Southern Ohio Copperheads in the Great Lakes League. During 2006, he was the head coach of the Outer Banks Daredevils of the Coastal Plain League. He was the head coach of the Miami Valley Express U-17 team during 2002 that went to the CABA World Series.
Ted is married to the former Lisa Dingus of South Webster, Ohio. The couple has two children, Henry, and Adaline Lee.