Sioux Center Iowa — Dordt University has announced Nathan Bacon will serve as the next baseball coach for the Defenders.
Bacon has served as an assistant baseball coach at the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas since the 2015 season while also serving as the director of fitness and facilities and adjunct professor at the school.
“We are pleased Nathan will serve as our next baseball coach,” said Ross Douma, Dordt’s athletic director. “Coach Bacon is held in high regard in baseball circles and has notable experiences as a player and coach at the collegiate level. This experience will serve him well as he develops our baseball program. Most importantly, Nathan’s holistic approach to baseball will serve the young men under his care as they deepen their relationship with the Lord while also playing baseball to the best of their abilities,” said Douma.
The 2018 University of the Ozarks baseball team qualified for the American Southwest Conference post-season tournament for the first time in a decade with 14 league wins. The 2018 team completed a turnaround in the program from a 2015 season when the Eagles posted a 10-29 overall record and a 5-23 conference mark. This past season 11 players earned ASC All-Academic honors and one was an Academic All-American. Five players he coached in 2019 were named all-conference honorees while 10 earned the honor in 2018.
“The strong sense of community on campus became apparent very early on and was a catalyst in my decision to accept the position to lead Dordt University baseball. Additionally, I believe the support the university offers its student-athletes creates a foundation of success for Defender baseball both on and off the field for many years to come. God made it clear to me and my family Dordt University is where we are meant to be. I am excited to begin working and building relationships on campus,” said Bacon.
Bacon has also been a pitching coach at Summit Christian Academy in Lee’s Summit, Missouri and he has been the head coach, general manager and vice president of operations in the Puerto Rico Collegiate League (formerly the Mid Atlantic Collegiate League) since September 2015. He also has head coaching experience with the Beach Collegiate Baseball League based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Bacon is a 2012 graduate of Avila University in Missouri where he finished his playing career with a 20-6 pitching record, was a two-time all-conference honoree and was inducted into the Avila University Sports Hall of Fame in 2017 with the 2012 team. He started his collegiate career at Harding University (Arkansas).
Bacon holds a bachelor’s degree from Avila University and master’s degree from the University of Missouri.
Along with coaching baseball Bacon will serve as a professor in the Health and Human Performance Department at Dordt.
