MALIBU, Calif. -- After a successful 12-season run as head coach of the Pepperdine baseball team, Steve Rodriguez, a member of the Waves' 1992 national championship squad, has announced he will be stepping down to take on a new challenge as the head coach at Baylor.

"Pepperdine University has been an incredible blessing to me and my family," said Rodriguez. "Making the decision to leave this incredible university, and my amazing team has been very difficult, however I truly believe that this moment is a part of God's plan. I am optimistic about Pepperdine's baseball program's future and as an alum I will always be a fan. I want to thank Dr. Potts, the administration, and all of the other coaches for an amazing 16 years."

Rodriguez has compiled a 401-300 (.572) record in his 12 seasons as head coach, including a 178-109 (.620) mark in West Coast Conference play. He ends his tenure as the second-most winningest coach in program history, falling just eight wins short of Dave Gorrie's (1979-88) benchmark of 409.

"Steve Rodriguez is one of the finest men I know. I admire him as a husband, father and yes, as an outstanding baseball coach. His strong Christian faith guides him in each of those roles. Steve served and represented our institution with great dignity, integrity and class," said Director of Athletics Steve Potts. "He made significant contributions to the Pepperdine baseball program as a player, assistant coach and head coach. I want to thank him for his commitment, dedication and for the way he has impacted the lives of so many young men. I know God will richly bless Steve, Kim, Julia and Nolan as they embark on this new life adventure and I wish great success and happiness for this wonderful family."

Since Rodriguez's first season at the helm in 2004, Pepperdine has advanced to NCAA postseason play on eight occasions. The team reached new heights in 2014, placing first in the WCC regular-season standings before taking the conference tournament title as well. At the NCAA Tournament, the Waves advanced past the regional round for the first time since 1992. Pepperdine won the San Luis Obispo Regional with a 3-0 record to advance to their first-ever NCAA Super Regional (since the round was instituted in 1999), eventually falling 2-1 in a three-game series at nationally-seeded TCU. The Waves went 43-18 overall and posted an 18-9 WCC record in 2014, compiling the most wins during Rodriguez's tenure and the seventh most wins in the program's 75 year history.

Pepperdine returned to the NCAA Tournament in 2015 after winning its second-straight WCC Tournament crown with wins over BYU, San Diego and Loyola Marymount.

Since he's been head coach, several of his former players have reached the major leagues -- notably Chase d'Arnaud, Barry Enright, Eric Thames, Danny Worth and Jon Moscot. Dozens more have been drafted by MLB clubs, with Hutton Moyer (seventh round, Anaheim Angels) and Jackson McClelland (15th round, Toronto Blue Jays) being the latest to be offered an opportunity in the big leagues.

Prior to taking over in 2004, Rodriguez served as an assistant coach for four seasons.

As a player, the two-time All-American led the Waves to the 1992 College World Series title, marking the programs' first national championship crown. Rodriguez was named to the All-CWS team and was part of two memorable plays in Omaha: a grand slam that helped defeat Texas in the semifinal round and a late-inning defensive gem in the Waves' 3-2 win over Cal State Fullerton in the championship game.

Rodriguez was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the fifth round of the 1992 MLB Draft, and spend seven seasons playing professionally. He reached the majors with both Boston and the Detroit Tigers in 1995.