Daryl Cronk arrives at Avila University as a first-time head coach, but with 11 seasons of experience as a pitching coach and assistant coach at the high school and collegiate levels.
As a player, Cronk was all-conference at Belton High School and went on to an All-American career as a pitcher at Pittsburg State in NCAA Division II. He finished his career as the school's all-time leader in wins (27) and innings pitched (258.7) and is in the top 3 in most career categories.
Cronk also played parts of two seasons professionally, playing with the River City Rascals in the Frontier League. He later served as a scout for the Rays.
He returned to his alma mater to start his coaching career, as pitching coach at Pitt State in 2000. From 2004-07, he was an assistant coach at Pembroke Hill High School in Kansas City, and in '07, he was named Missouri State High School Assistant Coach of the Year. From 2008-10, he was an assistant at the University of Central Missouri and helped the Mules to the NCAA Division II World Series in 2010. Last season, he served as an assistant at Rockhurst University and is a roving instructor and head pitching coach for Building Champions.
Cronk is married to wife Jill. The couple have three children – daughter Bailee, 12, and sons Blake, 9, and Brett, 7.
