Baseball | 6/22/2012 6:49:00 PM

MONMOUTH, Ore. - Western Oregon University head baseball coach Jeremiah Robbins has accepted the same position at Lewis-Clark State College the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on Friday.

The seven-year head coach of the Wolves will leave Western Oregon with a career record of 252-109. Robbins led the Wolves to Great Northwest Athletic Conference titles in all seven of his seasons, and five times guided WOU to the NCAA West Regional.

"I want to thank former president Dr. John Minahan and current President Mark Weiss, as well as former Athletic Director Jon Carey and current Athletic Director Daniel Hare for all my time here," said Robbins. "I will never forget my time here and I look forward to watching the progress of the Western Oregon baseball program as they continue to have success at the GNAC and NCAA level."

Robbins was named the GNAC Coach of the Year seven times and this year he captured West Region Coach of the Year honors for the second time in his career. Under Robbins leadership, the Wolves had five players selected in the Major League Baseball draft, including Grady Wood who was the National Pitcher of the Year and was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 10th round of the 2012 draft.

Robbins will take over a program at Lewis-Clark State that is one of the most prestigious in the country. The Warriors have won 16 NAIA national championships since 1984 and has been a pipeline for major league talent.

"While we are saddened to see Jeremiah leave, we thank him for his service and wish him and his family the absolute best," said Western Oregon Athletic Director Daniel Hare. "What Jeremiah has done here over the past seven years is nothing short of miraculous, and it was the result of both talent and a tremendous amount of hard work.

"Any time you have a very successful program schools are going to pursue your coach," continued Hare. "It goes with the territory and is a great compliment to the baseball program and Western Oregon University."

LCSC has had 121 players drafted by MLB including Keith Foulke, Brendan Ryan and Steve Reed. LCSC also hosts the NAIA World Series each year in Lewiston, Idaho, in which the Warriors receive an automatic bid. Robbins will be taking over the head coaching job from Gary Picone. Picone, who also serves as the Athletic Director for LCSC, stepped aside to allow Robbins to take over after transitioning from the loss of legendary coach Ed Cheff, who was at the helm of Warriors baseball for 34 years.

Kellen Walker, who has served the past six seasons as an assistant coach with the Wolves, will serve as interim head baseball coach until a replacement is named.