WINONA, Minn. – Gary Grob, 87, who twice went to the NAIA World Series as a student and then coached baseball at university, died at home. Grob was at Winona State 44 years as a student, teacher and coach. As a student he was a standout hitter. His .354 career batting average still ranks in the university’s top 25. He graduated in 1961 and took a teaching jib in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Two years later he returned to Winona to for a master’s degree and was hired as assistant baseball coach under Luther McCown. Grob was named head coach in 1965 and led the Warriors for 35 seasons. His only break came in 1975 when he took a sabbatical to earn a doctorate at University of Utah. Grob led the Warriors to a 1,020-563-10 record. The record includes 31 consecutive seasons with 20 or more victories and 17 Northern Sun conference titles. After participating in the NAIA World Series as a player, As coach he made it back to the NAUA World Series three times, in 1972, 1988 and 1992. He was a15-time NAIA District 13 Coach of the Year, Grob coached 158 all-conference performers and 16 of his players signed professional baseball contracts. Grob was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, the NAIA Hall of Fame, and the NSIC Hall of Fame.
Details: Watkski Funeral Home
1937-2025