Northern Illinois University Vice President and Director of Athletics Sean T. Frazier introduced Illinois native and decorated head coach Ryan Copeland as the new leader of the NIU baseball program on Tuesday morning.
“We are excited to welcome Ryan Copeland as the new head coach of the Huskie baseball program,” Frazier said. “His record of success on the field speaks for itself as does his proven ability to recruit and develop quality student-athletes, and in particular in-state talent. He checked all of the boxes we were looking for in a head coach, including his ability to connect with the local and campus communities.”
Copeland comes to DeKalb after four successful seasons (2020-23) as the head coach at University of Illinois-Springfield. Under his direction the Prairie Stars compiled a 131-38 record, two Great Lakes Valley Conference regular season titles, a GLVC tournament championship, three NCAA Division II regional appearances and one run to the NCAA D-II national tournament. This past season UIS went 36-15 and led Division II with 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings as well as team earned run average.
“I’d like to thank Sean Frazier and [Deputy Athletic Director] John Cheney for giving me the opportunity to lead the NIU baseball program,” said Copeland. “I’m excited to get started in DeKalb as we begin to develop a foundation of competitive excellence within our program. I’m grateful for the opportunity ahead to work with our student-athletes.”
Copeland has spent eight seasons at UIS, starting as the team’s pitching coach and recruiting coordinator in 2016 before taking the reins as head coach in 2020. In 2021 the Prairie Stars went 37-8, winning the GLVC regular season title with a 30-5 record. UIS reached the GLVC tournament championship game and were the top seed in its NCAA Regional. UIS was second in the nation in batting average (.353) and shutouts (7), while ranking in the top 10 in seven other statistical categories.
In 2022 UIS had its best season in program history, posting a 48-11 record. The Prairie Stars won the GLVC Blue Division by four games then romped through the GLVC Tournament, outscoring their opponents 47-11, to win their first conference tournament title. After going 3-0 in the NCAA Midwest Regional, UIS had to bounce back from a game one loss to Quincy in the Super Regional with a doubleheader sweep to reach the NCAA Division II national championship tournament for the first time in program history.
Copeland was named the GLVC Coach of the Year in 2021 and the 2021 and 2022 NCAA Division II Midwest Region Coach of the Year. Under his direction UIS has had four All-Americans, 12 All-Region selections, 24 All-Conference selections, and the GLVC’s first two-time Player of the Year in Zion Pettigrew. UIS also excelled in the classroom with 86 GLVA Academic All-Conference honorees as well as four College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selections and six Academic All-Americans. Copeland has also coached five MLB draft picks.
The Des Plaines, Ill. native began his coaching career at his alma mater, Illinois State, for the 2014 and 2015 seasons. With the Redbirds, Copeland managed pitchers during games as well as assisting with administrative duties.
He pitched for Illinois State from 2007-2010, finishing his career as Illinois State’s all-time leader in innings pitched. A two-time All-Missouri Valley Conference selection, Copeland recorded the final out of the 2010 MVC Tournament with a strikeout to send Illinois State to the NCAA Tournament. He was drafted in the 32nd round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals and spent three years with the organization.
Copeland becomes the 26th head coach in Huskie baseball history.
What They’re Saying About New NIU Head Baseball Coach Ryan Copeland
“Congratulations to NIU Athletics on hiring Ryan Copeland as the next head baseball coach. I had the privilege of managing Ryan in 2010 when he was the Appalachian League Pitcher of the Year and helped lead the Johnson City Cardinals to the league championship. Ryan is a fierce competitor and proven winner. I’m confident he will continue developing players at a high level at NIU and take the program to the next level both on and off the field.”
Mike Shildt, Senior Advisor – San Diego Padres and former manager of the St. Louis Cardinals
“Ryan Copeland is going to be a great addition to the NIU community. I knew early on while coaching him that he was a winner. He is dedicated to the sport and thrives in player development. He will bring success to NIU Baseball and will do it with class.”
Mark Kingston, Head Baseball Coach – University of South Carolina
“NIU really hit the jackpot with the hiring of Ryan Copeland. I had the pleasure of coaching Ryan during his playing days at Illinois State. He was a self-made player with a blue collar approach and an extraordinary knowledge of the game at such a young age. His ability to relate and develop student-athletes on and off the field will benefit NIU for years to come.”
Billy Mohl, Head Baseball Coach – University of South Florida
“I can’t say enough about the type of coach Ryan is. He was one of the top pitching coaches in the nation for me as an assistant coach and transitioned into one of the top head coaches in Division II baseball. Players take the personality of their coaches and Ryan is one of the toughest competitors in college baseball. I’m very proud of Ryan and can’t wait to see the NIU baseball program take off under his leadership.”
Chris Ramirez, Head Baseball Coach – Lenoir-Rhyne University and former head coach at Illinois-Springfield
“During his tenure at UIS Ryan built a reputation of being a tireless worker, which aligns with the type of player he was at Illinois State and as a St. Louis Cardinals farmhand. What separates him has been his willingness to push the envelope on the player development front. Over the years he’s brought in multiple unheralded prep players and turned them into professional prospects. He built UIS into a program that scouts wanted to go watch, as well as a perennial contender for championships, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see similar results at NIU.”
Kris Gross, Director of Amateur Scouting – Houston Astros
Full article can be found at: https://niuhuskies.com/news/2023/6/13/ryan-copeland-named-niu-head-baseball-coach.aspx