COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Maryland baseball volunteer assistant coach and former student-athlete Anthony Papio has been promoted to full-time assistant coach, head coach Rob Vaughn announced Wednesday. 

During Papio's time as a Terp, Maryland baseball has enjoyed some of its greatest successes. In his five seasons as a coach, the Terps have gone 131-84 including NCAA tournament berths in 2017 and 2021. Papio was a student assistant in 2017 before being elevated to volunteer assistant in 2018. Maryland's three winningest seasons in program history have included Papio as either a player or coach (2014, 2015, 2017). 

"I've always believed that in this business, you win with people," head coach Rob Vaughn said. "Pap played for me for four years, has coached with me for five and is everything I could dream of in an assistant coach. He's a winner, he's a teacher, he's a leader and I'm so fortunate to be able to give him his first opportunity. Pap has always elevated everyone around him and I can't wait to unleash him on college baseball."

In his five seasons as a coach in College Park, Papio has worked extensively with Maryland's outfielders and coordinated the Terps' running game, along with assisting with hitting instruction. Twelve Terps have been drafted during Papio's tenure. Seven players have earned All-American honors and 15 have earned All-Big Ten plaudits. 

"Im extremely grateful for this opportunity," Papio said. "The chance to continue representing my home state and alma mater is truly and honor and something I will not take for granted. More importantly, I'm eager to continue building on the foundation set by Coach Vaughn, this staff and our players past and present."

When Papio first assumed a coaching role in College Park he played an integral role in Maryland's running game. Under Papio the team saw their stolen base number jump from 28 in 2016 to a blistering 101 in 2017. The Olney, Md. native has also groomed Maryland's outfield unit. In 2017 outfielders Marty Costes and Zack Jancarski had breakout seasons under Papio with Jancarski emerging as one of the best defensive outfielders in the Big Ten and Costes earning first-team All-Big Ten honors after a standout season at the plate..

Papio was key in the development of Randy Bednar, who became one of the best outfielders in the Big Ten in 2019, earning all-conference honors. He also helped Chris Alleyne make the transition from the infield to center field, which propelled Alleyne to All-Big Ten honors in 2021. 

As a player, Papio was a key contributor on two Super Reigonal teams. Papio starred during Maryland's 2015 postseason run and was named to the Los Angeles Regional All-Tournament team after his clutch hitting and superb defense helped Maryland topple No. 1 overall seed UCLA. In 2014, Papio helped the Terps to their first-ever 40-win season and regional championship, defeating South Carolina on the road. Papio stands alone as Maryland's all-time leader in wins as a player, having been a part of 174 victories, while also playing in the most games in school history with 230.

Papio's transition to full-time assistant comes as Maryland ended their impressive 2021 campaign ranked No. 25 in the country, just the sixth time in program history that the team has ended a season ranked.