As expected, Ball State welcomed Rich Maloney back to Muncie on Thursday. Maloney posted a 256-144-1 record as Ball State's head coach from 1996-2002, then spent the next 10 seasons at Michigan. Now he heads back to Ball State to reclaim his old job, replacing Alex Marconi, who announced his resignation after completing his second season this spring.

"We are extremely excited to welcome Rich Maloney back to the Ball State family and the Muncie community," athletic director Bill Scholl said in a release. "He was an integral part of continuing the outstanding tradition of Ball State baseball in his previous tenure with the Cardinals, and we are looking forward to his return."

Maloney led the Cardinals to their only two 40-win seasons in 1997 and '99. Under his leadership, Ball State won the Mid-American Conference West Division title four times, and won the MAC's regular-season title twice, though it did not break through to regionals until 2006. Maloney also helped Bryan Bullington become the No. 1 overall pick in 2002.

Certainly, this is an impactful hire for Ball State, and it's a nice landing place for Maloney after his Michigan tenure came to a close.