Ken Henderson Hometown: Vinita, Okla. Position: Associate Head Coach Birthdate: 09/28/1960 Experience: 19th Year Alma Mater: Missouri Southern (1983)

Last Updated February 18, 2009

Ken Henderson begins his 19th season as Southern Illinois University's veteran Associate Head Coach. In addition to recruiting and camp duties, Henderson is in charge of hitting and infield defense.

Under Henderson's guidance, the Salukis have ranked nationally in at least one defensive category four of the last seven seasons.

In 2002, Henderson led SIU's defense to an impressive .969 fielding percentage, as the Salukis led the Missouri Valley Conference and finished tied for 14th in the nation.

In both 2003 and 2004, SIU ranked among the top-10 in double plays per game, while topping the nation in 2003 and finishing ninth in 2004.

Offensively, Henderson has directed the Salukis to some impressive numbers, as well.

SIU hit over .300 in four years under Henderson's watch. In fact, during the 1987 and 1998 seasons, Henderson orchestrated two of the most powerful offensive units in school history. The 1997 squad shattered the school record with 75 home runs, while the 1998 team followed close behind with 73.

Henderson has helped mentor several great players during his tenure at SIU.

Most recently, two-time first-team all-MVC pick Mark Kelly has led the Salukis in hitting each of the last two seasons.

Prior to that, Henderson coached the top two hitters in the Valley -- P.J. Finigan and Kevin Koski -- in 2005. Finigan, the 2005 MVC Player-of-the-Year, garnered first-team all-conference honors after hitting a league- best .388, while Koski, also a first-team pick, hit .380. With Finigan and Koski paving the way, Henderson's offense finished in a second-place tie among league foes.

Since joining the Saluki staff, Henderson has been nothing but successful. He has coached 17 hitters, including 10 infielders, who have been drafted professionally in 18 years. Also serving as SIU's interim head coach for part of the 1994 season, he led the Salukis to a 12-8 record during that span.

Prior to joining the Maroon and White in 1991, Henderson served as an assistant coach at Oral Roberts, where he assembled several recruiting classes that ranked among the nation's elite by Collegiate Baseball. And, in 1997, he helped guide the Golden Eagles to a runner-up finish at the NCAA West Regional.

A 1983 graduate of Missouri Southern State, Henderson played for one of the nation's top NCAA Division II programs. Following graduation, he began his coaching tenure at his alma mater, before moving on to coach at Kansas State from 1984-86.

A native of Vinita, Okla., Henderson, 48, has coached 25 years at the NCAA Division I level. He, and his wife, Pam, reside in Carterville, with their two sons, Keegan (14) and Connor (9).