Shawn Stiffler, VCU Rams

Head Coach Shawn Stiffler is in his fifth season as head coach of the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams. Entering the 2017 campaign, VCU is one of only 14 programs in the country with 37-plus wins in each of the last three seasons. Stiffler was named the sixth head coach of the VCU Baseball program following the passing of his mentor Paul Keyes. Prior to his promotion, he spent six seasons under Keyes as the Rams’ pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. Stiffler was promoted to associate head coach prior to the 2012 season, and he finished the campaign serving as interim head coach during the second half of the season and helped lead the Rams back to the CAA Tournament, compiling a 16-9 record during that stretch.

Prior to his arrival at VCU, the skipper earned a B.A. degree in communications from George Mason in December 2001, after a four-year career as a pitcher for the Patriots. A 1997 graduate of Somerset High School, he earned honorable mention All-America honors from USA Today and was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 53rd round. He was also an outstanding basketball player at Somerset. He began his coaching career at his alma mater and coached under head coach Bill Brown. During his time as a coach, the Patriots made a regional appearance in 2004.

Under his direction, the VCU baseball program has emerged as a nationally recognized program. Stiffler was named the ABCA East Region Coach of the Year following a tremendous 2015 season, in which the Rams claimed the Atlantic-10 Conference Championship, advanced to the first Super Regional appearance in program history, and finished the season ranked 17th in the nation by the NCBWA. Following the season, four members of the 2015 team (Daniel Concepcion, Heath Dwyer, Matt Lees, and Vimael Machin) signed contracts to play for professional organizations.

During his 11 seasons as an assistant, Stiffler, coached 29 MLB draft picks, 15 of which he personally recruited, 13 of those 15 were pitchers. He has coached nine All-Americans, two conference player of the year award winners, 44 All-CAA honorees, 10 All-Atlantic-10 honorees, and one Johnny Bench finalist (awarded to the best catcher in all of college baseball). Since his arrival in Richmond, twelve Rams hurlers have inked professional contracts. Pisker joined Mick Mattaliano (Baltimore Orioles), John Leonard (Kansas City Royals), Cody Eppley (Texas Rangers), Joe Van Meter (Texas Rangers), Robbie Andrews (Arizona Diamondbacks), Blake Hauser (Seattle Mairners), Kyle Haynes (Pittsburgh Pirates), Kyle Pelchy (Tampa Bay Rays),