LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Chris Dominguez has been promoted to head coach of the Bellarmine University baseball team, Director of Athletics Scott Wiegandt announced Monday.

Dominguez was an assistant coach with the Knights in 2022. He was also an assistant at Bellarmine in 2020, returning to the Knights this past season after a one-year stint as an assistant at the University of Miami.

Dominguez becomes the 19th head coach in the program's history. He succeeds Larry Owens, the winningest and longest-tenured head coach in program history who resigned to pursue non-coaching-related opportunities after the 2022 campaign ended following a distinguished career that included 212 victories, three straight NCAA II Tournament appearances (2017-19) and a 2019 GLVC Tournament championship in nine seasons at Bellarmine.

"We didn't have to look beyond our own dugout to identify the right individual to lead our program as we move forward and continue growing at the Division-I level," Wiegandt said. "Chris was a legendary college player in this city who seamlessly transitioned from a pro playing career to a valued member of college coaching staffs. His knowledge of the game, his ability to relate to players and the respect he naturally commands, his infectious and charismatic personality, his love of the community and city, and his determination to elevate the Bellarmine Baseball Program in the NCAA's highest level are just a few of the many assets that Chris brings to his new leadership role at our University."

In 2020, Dominguez's first stint at Bellarmine as an assistant, the Knights were ranked No. 17 by the NCBWA in its D2 preseason poll and went 10-4 overall and 3-0 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference before the remainder of the season was canceled due to the pandemic. Junior right-hander Brandon Pfaadt became the second-highest MLB draft selection in program history after being picked in the fifth round by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The 2022 campaign, Bellarmine's second in the D1 era, was highlighted by Matt Higgins becoming the program's first-ever ASUN Player of the Year and its first-ever D1 All-American.

"Bellarmine holds a special place in my heart for giving me my first coaching opportunity," Dominguez said. "I couldn't be happier to lead a group of young men while teaching the game I love. I want to thank leadership for giving me the opportunity and Scott Wiegandt for believing in me."

Before returning to Bellarmine, Dominguez spent one season as an assistant coach at Miami, where he helped lead the Hurricanes to the 2021 NCAA Tournament. Dominguez was the infield coach and assisted with hitters as Miami went 33-21 overall and 20-15 in the ACC. Catcher Adrian Del Castillo (second round, Arizona Diamondbacks), right-handed pitcher Jake Smith (sixth round, LA Angels) and catcher Anthony Vilar (15th round, San Diego Padres) were selected in the 2021 MLB Draft. 

Following a standout career at the University of Louisville in which he was a two-time All-American, Dominguez carved out an 11-year career (2009-19) in the professional ranks, including stints with the San Francisco Giants and Cincinnati Reds. The Miami native was a member of the Louisville Bats, the Triple-A affiliate of the Reds, for much of 2015.

In his pro career, Dominguez played in over 1,000 minor league games and totaled 134 home runs, 210 doubles, 20 triples and 592 RBIs while hitting .263. In 2010, his first full season in pro ball, he cranked 21 homers, 32 doubles and four triples while amassing 101 RBIs with the Augusta GreenJackets, the Class-A affiliate of the Giants. In 2014, Dominguez hit 21 homers and stole 21 bases for the Fresno Grizzlies, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals.

Dominguez had a phenomenal collegiate career at Louisville. As a redshirt junior in 2009, his final season with the Cardinals, the third baseman was named Big East Player of the Year and a first-team All-American by Baseball America, Louisville Slugger and PING! Baseball after batting .345 with 25 home runs and 82 RBIs.

Dominguez was the Big East co-Player of the Year in 2008 and earned third-team All-America plaudits from Baseball America, Louisville Slugger, PING! Baseball and the NCBWA after hitting .365 with 21 homers and 75 RBIs. That followed a 2007 campaign in which the infielder was named an honorable-mention Freshman All-American by PING! Baseball after swatting 15 home runs and 19 doubles while driving in 61 runs.

Dominguez played a central role in Louisville making its first-ever appearance in the College World Series in 2007. He was named MVP of the Columbia Regional after batting .421 and followed by launching three homers in the CWS.

Dominguez was an MLB draft pick on three separate occasions. He was chosen by the Texas Rangers in the 17th round in 2005 out of Gulliver Prep (Fla.) High School, by the Colorado Rockies in the fifth round in 2008 after his redshirt sophomore season at Louisville and by the San Francisco Giants in the third round in 2009 after his last season with the Cardinals.

"Since 2005, the city of Louisville has been my home," Dominguez said. "The people welcomed me with open arms. Their love of baseball, their southern hospitality and their pride in their community made it evident that this is the place I wanted to raise my family. I can't wait to get started and continue the work of my predecessors."

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