Jim Penders is the head baseball coach at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Connecticut, and enters his 23rd season leading the Huskies in 2026. He became UConn's head coach in July 2003 after serving on the staff as an assistant, and his connection to the program spans 33 of the previous 36 years as a player, graduate assistant, assistant coach, and head coach. A five-time conference coach of the year, he has directed one of the most productive eras in the school's 129-year baseball history while working with what the school identifies as the longest-tenured coaching staff in Division I baseball.
Entering the 2026 season, Penders owns a 773-496-5 record at UConn. He became the winningest coach in program history on May 16, 2019, when the Huskies beat Tulane for his 557th victory, moving past former coach Andy Baylock. Under Penders, UConn has reached 10 NCAA Tournaments, advanced to three Super Regionals in 2011, 2022, and 2024, won 10 regular-season or conference titles, and hosted the 2010 Norwich Regional. His players have earned 18 All-America honors, with Ryan Daniels becoming the most recent in 2025.
