Air Force’s Mike Kazlausky retiring as the head coach of ‘America’s team’

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- After 16 years at the helm of the Air Force baseball program, Head Coach Mike "Kaz" Kazlausky is retiring from the baseball diamond.

“I had the opportunity for 16 years league great men, and now I have an opportunity to go, hopefully have an impact on more than just 40 men on a baseball team, but 4000 cadets here.”

Coach Kaz is staying close by in the athletics department as the Director of Leadership and Institutional Strategy.

“It was once again so hard to step away. But, I feel like I'm getting a call from the bullpen. You know, I'm getting yanked out of the game. I think I still have a few outs left in me. But I think it's time to bring some new blood in here.”

As the winningest coach in program history, Coach Kaz helped the program capture their first Mountain West title in 2024 and and a first trip to the NCAA Regionals in 2022. However, the memories he takes with him aren’t from the baseball diamond.

“Alot of them were not on the baseball field," he said. "It was the one on one meetings, the sit downs, the tears that were being shared, and to tell them they're going to be okay”

Those are the most meaningful because it was never about winning or losing.

“But the men that we have created to go once again serve and fight for us, that's been the most rewarding thing.”

It’s a unique job. One that requires coaches like Kazlausky to invest in their players beyond the field because they're preparing to serve their country.

“Our number one goal was to raise great men, great husbands and great fathers," Kaz said. "That was kind of the importance of this position that I was in, that, my job responsibility was so much more than just being a baseball coach for these young men.”

On the diamond, they are America’s team.

Coach Kaz shared a moment that stuck with him.

After they lost in the NCAA Regionals to Texas, during their handshake line, the 8,000 strong were chanting 'USA, USA, USA'. Coach Kaz said that "even though we lost, we won."

The search for a new head coach is currently underway.