July 18, 2011

Leighton takes over as head coach at Fordham

Kevin Leighton has resigned as head coach at Manhattan to take the same position at Fordham.

In six seasons with the Jaspers, Leighton guided Manhattan to three Metro Atlantic regular-season titles and a pair of MAAC tournament championships. Leighton was named MAAC Coach of the Year in 2009 and again this season. He earned his 200th win in the 2011 MAAC Championship Game against Siena. The Jaspers won more than 30 games in each of the past six seasons. Manhattan was 200-119-1 (.627) overall and 110-32 (.775) in conference play under Leighton.

Leighton was an assistant at Manhattan for four years before rising to head coach in 2006. He played four seasons at Seton Hall helping the Pirates earn NCAA bids in 2000 and 2001. Seton Hall won the Big East Championship in 2001, its first title since 1987.

Leighton earned a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from Seton Hall in 2001. He received a master’s degree in administration and leadership in education from Manhattan in 2005.

Fordham is the oldest and winningest baseball program in NCAA history with 4,074 victories, more than 800 wins ahead of second-place Texas (3,246). The Rams were 31-23-1 overall in 2011 and 12-11-1 in the Atlantic 10.

Leighton replaces Nick Restaino, who stepped down to pursue other opportunities.

The Jaspers were 34-19 this past season, including 20-2 in the MAAC. Manhattan will begin a national search for its new head coach.

Click here for list of 2011 Division I head coaching changes.