AUSTIN, Texas — Former University of Texas baseball coach Augie Garrido passed away Thursday. He was 79.  

“This is a very, very sad day,” University of Texas Vice President and Athletics Director Chris Del Conte said. “We lost one of the greatest coaches of all time, a truly special Longhorn Legend and college athletics icon. There will never be another Augie Garrido. He was a once-in-a-lifetime personality whose impact on Texas Athletics, collegiate baseball and the student-athletes he coached extended far beyond the playing field. If you were fortunate enough to have spent time with Augie, or if you followed him in any way, he had a great effect on you with his brilliant combination of wisdom, wit and charm. He was just an incredible coach, molder of men and a great person. He will be missed, but the memories of him and his awesome accomplishments will carry on forever. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Jeannie, and his family.”

Garrido had an extensive 48-year coaching career including 20 seasons at UT. He lead Texas to eight College World Series appearances, winning the school’s fifth National Championship in 2002 and sixth in 2005. The six titles are the second-most for one school in NCAA baseball history.

“I loved my dear friend Augie Garrido,” Former UT Football Coach Mack Brown said. “We had many, many great times together, and he was a person who always had a unique way of looking at everything. He really made you think, made you laugh and always was so much fun to be around. He was truly a special man, one of a kind. He also was obviously the best college baseball coach ever. He will be missed, but his legacy will live on through all those he impacted. Our thoughts, prayers and support are with Jeannie, his family and his friends during this difficult time.”

Garrido finished his career in 2016 as college baseball’s all-time wins leader with 1,975 wins. He is the first baseball coach to lead two different schools to national titles. Garrido guided squads to National Championships in four different decades, and is one of only three coaches in history to win five or more NCAA titles.

“Augie was a giant in our game,” Texas head coach David Pierce said. “His impact on baseball, on the Forty Acres, and on me and so many others will live on forever. My thoughts are with Jeannie, his friends, his family, and all those who were lucky enough to have met him, played for him, or learned from him. His presence will be sorely missed but his legacy will never be forgotten.”

He led his teams to the College World Series 15 times and was named National Coach of the Year six times. Along with his collegiate baseball coaching career, Garrido, who was selected for induction into both the Texas Sports and Titan Athletics halls of fame in 2005.

Garrido was hired by UT in 1996.