Mike Current's hard work and persistent effort have led to steady gains for the Illinois State baseball program in the past four years. Since the Bloomington, Ill., native joined the Redbirds' coaching staff in 2006, Illinois State has seen its winning percentage increase in each consecutive season. That includes the team's first winning season and trip to the postseason in eight years during the 2009 campaign.

Current was promoted to assistant coach in September 2007, after spending two seasons as a volunteer assistant coach. As then-head coach Jim Brownlee's only full-time assistant in 2008, Redbird hitters improved in nearly every category from the 2007 season. The Redbirds continued an upward trend in 2009 as the team's batting average climbed.

Current assists in all aspects of the program and works particularly with the outfielders and hitters. Current coordinates Illinois State's baseball camps and assists with recruiting.

In his first season at ISU, the Bloomington High School product mentored then-freshman Kevin Dubler, who went on to be named a 2006 All-Missouri Valley Conference Honorable Mention selection at catcher.

Dubler continued his success in 2007, as he was a first-team All-MVC selection as a designated hitter. Dubler ended his career at Illinois State as a Johnny Bench Award semi-finalist and was selected in the eighth round of the 2008 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Current also spent time working with former Redbird standout Ryan Anetsberger, who was selected by the Florida Marlins in the 15th round of the 2007 MLB Draft.

In summer 2006, Current coached for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox of the prestigious Cape Cod League, and helped the team to a league championship in his first coaching stint in the league.

Current first joined the Illinois State baseball staff after he graduated from Blackburn College in Carlinville, Ill., in May 2005, where he was a two-year letterwinner at shortstop. As a senior, Current helped the Beavers to a 28-14 record, which ranked as the most wins in a season in school history. Prior to attending Blackburn, Current spent two years at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Ill.

Current, who earned his master's degree in sport management from Illinois State in May 2007, resides in Bloomington, Ill., with his wife, Heather.

Mark Kingston, Illinois State Head Coach
"After working with Mike throughout the past year, it became a priority to keep him on staff. He is very knowledgeable, and a tireless worker. He has a great future in this game and we are lucky to have him on this coaching staff."

Jim Brownlee, Former Illinois State Head Coach
"Mike's number one quality is that he's smart and number two is that he's an extremely hard worker who loves baseball. Those are two ingredients that make him a good coach. You don't have to tell Mike what to do; he jumps in with both feet and gets it done. The other thing is that he's highly organized and he understands baseball a great deal. He's going to make a really good head coach someday."

Mike Current

31
Major League Draft picks coached
Current has worked with 31 Major League Baseball Draft picks including Illinois State's Ryan Anetsberger and Kevin Dubler

4
consecutive seasons with a winning percentage increase
Illinois State has improved in each of Current's four seasons, including the team's first winning season in eight years during the 2009 campaign

9
hitting categories improved
Illinois State batters improved in nine categories in Current's first year as a full-time assistant working with the hitters