Arkansas Little Rock assistant Roland Fanning is leaving to accept a position on Nick Mingione's staff at Kentucky. He will be the final addition to Mingione's first staff, according to an email from UK.

“I was really impressed with his energy and his ability to communicate," Mingione said. "He is passionate about baseball, has an infectious personality and really cares about his players. He has had tremendous success in recruiting and developing players throughout his career.

“Everyone we spoke with about Roland could not say enough great things about him as a coach, but more important, about him as a person. He is a perfect fit to our coaching staff and what we are trying to accomplish at the University of Kentucky. We’re excited to bring Roland, his wife Beverly, and their daughter Emery Jo into our UK baseball family.”

Fanning coached outfielders, bunting and baserunning, and was the recruiting coordinator for Arkansas Little Rock the past two seasons.

“It’s exciting to come to the University of Kentucky and the Southeastern Conference, a great opportunity,” Fanning said. “When I met Coach Mingione, I was attracted to his work ethic and his infections energy. He was locked into all the details. When I got the chance to work with him (at Kentucky), it was something our family couldn’t turn down.”

Mingione's coaching staff also includes pitching coach Jim Belanger and hitting coach Todd Guilliams.