VCU baseball starts 2025 season with new coach
Photo courtesy of VCU Athletics.
Dan Elson, Contributing Writer
Former VCU pitcher and pitching coach Sean Thompson became the head coach of the Rams on July 22, 2024.
Thompson said he has always had “aspirations” to become a head coach.
“It’s been a dream come true — and every other adjective I can think of — but I’m extremely fortunate for the opportunity,” Thompson said. “I’ve had a blast doing it so far, and get to work with a great group of guys every single day.”
Thompson pitched for the Rams from 2015-2018. He had a career 3.30 ERA and finished 27-9 in his four seasons according to VCU Athletics.
“I’ve obviously always loved VCU, being an alum, playing in this program, coaching in this program,” Thompson said. “So I think that’s kind of where it starts out for four years. You know, you love where you’re at, and I loved where I was at here at VCU. I love the expectation of being in this program.”
The expectation for the Rams is to win a championship, according to Thompson.
“I told the guys that day one, whenever I got the opportunity to lead this program, was that we were going to win another championship,” Thompson said. “We won one last year and I think when you’re coming off winning one, the expectation is that.”
Thompson replaced former head coach Bradley LeCroy, who is now the head coach at Liberty University.
“As an assistant, I think you’re always watching how people do things,” Thompson said. “And from my perspective, I’ve always tried to be a sponge — back to when I was a player and as an assistant coach — and I think you always can constantly put yourself in the situation.”
Thompson said his long term goal is to continue to “grow this program.”
“I want to push the limits, to see how far the program can go and continue to chase new boundaries for us,” Thompson said.
Thompson said it’s an easier adjustment to become the head coach because of his history with VCU.
“You have some familiarity with the roster and obviously getting to coach those guys and be around that group last year.” Thompson said. “It creates some comfort immediately.”
Thompson said the standards for the Rams are accountability and discipline.
“I think that just tries to be the consistent message every single day,” Thompson said. “You can’t win a championship in January.”
Campbell Ellis, a graduate assistant at VCU, said Thompson brings a leadership style that focuses on player development and a winning culture.
“He’s really committed on developing players and giving players a process to follow that equals success,” Ellis said.
Ellis pitched from 2021-2024 for the Rams. He had a career 16-12 record with a 5.37 ERA for the Rams according to VCU Athletics.
Ellis said the players are “bought in” to Thompson’s coaching.
“The guys are getting more connected and close with each other,” Ellis said. “I think he just brings a leadership style that brings everyone together and everyone wants to get better together.”
VCU fourth-year pitcher Cade Dressler said it’s a “great thing” to have a younger coach.
“He’s somebody who has been around VCU for so long, graduated within the last eight years, played professional baseball and has come back. He can connect with us extremely well,” Dressler said. “He gets today’s new game of baseball.”
