SIU ASSISTANT RYAN STRAIN NAMED HEAD COACH AT METRO STATE

by John Lock – Associate Sports Information Director – Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

DENVER, CO – Saluki Baseball assistant coach Ryan Strain has been named the head coach at Metro State University. Strain has served as the Southern Illinois hitting coach for the last seven seasons.

“This is a good hire by Metro State and a great opportunity for Ryan to be a head coach and return to his hometown,” SIU head coach Ken Henderson said. “I am happy for him, his wife Katie, and their family. I also appreciate his hard work and loyalty to Saluki Baseball over the past seven years. We will look forward to following his future success and wish him all the best.”

Under Strain’s guidance, 13 Salukis have earned All-MVC honors in seven seasons and Chris Serritella was an All-American and fourth-round MLB Draft pick in 2012. Strain implemented a new running game in 2017 and turned the Salukis into one of the fastest teams in the nation. SIU stole more than twice as many bases as any other team in the MVC and ranked 11th nationally during the regular season.

Southern stole 100 bases during the season while also having the highest success rate on steals in the MVC. The 100 steals were the most for SIU as a program since 1991.

“It’s bittersweet for me to be leaving such a great place,” Strain said. “I met and worked with some tremendous people. I am very thankful for the opportunity Hendu gave me seven years ago. I learned a lot from him along the way that prepared me for this head coaching opportunity. I also want to thank P.J. Finigan and the other coaches I worked with. I will always look back at my time in Carbondale with fond memories. Thank you to all the support staff that helped me along the way, and thank you to the Saluki fans. Great times are ahead for the baseball program. Go Dawgs!”

Prior to Southern Illinois, Strain spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Northern Colorado from 2008-2010. At UNC Strain was in charge of hitting, infield defense, as well as serving as the recruiting and camp coordinators. Strain helped lead the team to set 28 new school records. In 2010 the team went 34-24 overall and 22-6 in the Great West Conference. That year UNC also saw its first freshman All-American and Great West Conference Newcomer of the year.

Previous to Northern Colorado, Strain spend two years as the graduate manager with the Nebraska Cornhuskers. At Nebraska he assisted the coaching staff with on-field duties, including helping with batting practice, overseeing the undergraduate managers, and helping with team video. Strain also assisted with on-campus recruiting, day-to-day program operations, and was an instructor in the Nebraska Baseball Academy.

In 2006 Strain served as the assistant coach for St. Cloud Riverbats in the Northwoods League. With the Riverbats he was the hitting and infield coach helping St. Cloud lead the league in hitting during the 2006 season.

Strain began his career playing at North Carolina State before transferring to Nevada. Following his collegiate career, he played two seasons in the San Francisco Giants organization and one year for the Rockford RiverHawks in the independent professional Frontier League.