Miami Hurricanes baseball coach Gino DiMare gets contract extension

Gino DiMare began his love of Miami Hurricanes baseball as a local youngster attending games. He continued his passion from 1989 through 1992 as a Miami outfielder with a .290 career batting average under legendary coach Ron Fraser.

And now, his future will remain with Hurricanes baseball as its head coach through at least the 2026 season.

The University of Miami on Wednesday announced it has awarded DiMare a three-year contract extension. His former contract would have ended after the 2023 season.

“We are excited to have Gino continue to lead our baseball program,’’ athletic director Dan Radakovich said in a statement. “We made great strides as a program last season, including hosting a regional for the first time in six years. Gino and his staff are building momentum for Miami baseball and we are looking forward to more successful seasons to come.’’

DiMare took over as head coach before the 2019 season after UM coaching great Jim Morris retired. But DiMare’s long tenure as a Canes assistant under Morris lasted from 1997 through his promotion to head coach — not including a three-year sabbatical.

DiMare has a 126-65 record in four seasons. This past season, UM hosted a regional for the first time since 2016, earning a No. 6 national seed going into the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament and being ranked as high as No. 2. But the Canes ended with a thud, despite a strong 40-20 record that included a 14-game winning streak, when they were eliminated at home by Arizona in the first-round regionals.

The Hurricanes won national titles in 1982, 1985, 1999 and 2001. They have not been back to the College World Series since 2016.

“Growing up in Miami, I feel very fortunate to have spent 27 years here as a player and coach,’’ DiMare said in a statement. “The University of Miami has been a second home to me and my family. I am grateful for the opportunities it has afforded me and I look forward to leading our program to Omaha.’’

The 2023 team will include three of the top 160 prospects in the Class of 2022, according to Perfect Game. They are outfielder/left-handed pitcher Kaden Martin (No. 67 prospect), a graduate of Buford (Georgia) High and the son of former Tennessee quarterback and current Baltimore Ravens receivers coach Tee Martin; middle infielder Blake Cyr (No. 150) out of Windermere High; and first/third baseman Jason Torres (No. 159) out of Miami Springs High.

All three have enrolled and are attending classes.

Two former UM signees opted to play for Major League Baseball programs. Outfielder Elijah Green, considered the No 1 high school player in the country, was the fifth overall pick in the recent MLB draft; and infielder/right-handed pitcher Nazier Mule was selected by the Cubs in the fourth round.