ROCHESTER, Mich. – Oakland University Baseball and Head Coach
Jordon Banfield have announced the addition of
Mike Ruppenthal as Pitching Coach as well as the promotion of
Brian Nelson to Recruiting Coordinator.
"I'm excited about what Coach Rupe is going to bring to Oakland in terms of pitching development as we look to build on the success of 2022. As a local guy who has also spent significant time coaching in the south, he's also going to have a recruiting impact as we continue to seek out the best players and people to add to our program," said Banfield, "Additionally, I'm excited that we've been able to retain Coach Nelson who has really been coordinating many of our recruiting efforts for the past year and now officially adds that title."
Ruppenthal comes to Rochester after four years at NJCAA member Tyler Junior College (Texas) as a Pitching Coach and Recruiting Coordinator. In those four seasons, Ruppenthal was a part of the 2021 NJCAA Division III National Championship squad and was the 2021 ABCA National Assistant Coach of the Year.
In the collegiate summer baseball league scene, Ruppenthal has aided in the careers of 19 pitchers to the professional baseball landscape including Luke Murphy to the Los Angeles Angels in 2021 and Gavin Stone to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020 as two players drafted in the first five rounds.
Nelson has been on staff at Oakland since 2020 and will now oversee the recruiting efforts of the Golden Grizzlies coming off the most successful season in program history.
