FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas pitching coach Dave Jorn has announced his resignation.
Jorn has spent 20 seasons as the Razorbacks' pitching coach, including the last 14. He was previously an Arkansas assistant coach from 1983-88 and helped the program to six College World Series appearances.
The Razorbacks' pitching staffs have been among the nation's best during Jorn's tenure. In 2013, Arkansas had a 1.89 earned run average, which was the lowest in college baseball since 1976.
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The team's pitching stats dropped in Jorn's final season. The Razorbacks recorded an SEC-worst 5.02 ERA in 2016.
“It’s been 20 of the best years of my life,” Jorn said in a statement. “I love Arkansas. I love the program and I love everything about it. It has just been a wonderful time and a wonderful experience.
"I’ve had a lot of success and it’s been a pleasure, but this is something that’s been on my mind for the last couple of years. I think it’s time to make a change.”
Jorn indicated he and his family will remain in Northwest Arkansas and didn't rule out a return to professional baseball scouting.
"I don't know what's in my future right now, but I am not ready to totally retire and get out of baseball," Jorn said. "I am thinking about going back into professional baseball, possibly scouting, maybe player development, working with some younger players in the minor leagues.
"I don't know anything definitive at this point but I am not done working. I still want to keep working and still want to stay in baseball.”
Jorn was hired by former Arkansas head coach Norm DeBriyn in 1983. He left the program in January 1989 to work as a minor league coach for the New York Yankees. He also worked for the Mets and Diamondbacks organizations before returning to the Razorbacks in 2002 to work for new head coach Dave Van Horn.
Since 2004, Jorn had 30 pitchers selected in the MLB Draft, including seven in the first two rounds. Three current MLB pitchers played for Jorn, including 2015 American League Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel.
“I appreciate everything that Coach Jorn has done for this program since I got here 14 years ago,” Van Horn said in a statement. “He has turned this program into a top-25 program. and has put together some of the best pitching staffs in the country.
"There’s not a better pitching coach than Dave Jorn and he’s an even better person. He’s been a great friend to me and the rest of the coaching staff and always will be a man of great character.”