Head coach Jeff Messer will enter his 38th season in charge of the Slippery Rock University baseball program in 2023.

Messer has enjoyed nearly unparalleled success during his time at The Rock, establishing himself as one of the top coaches in college baseball history. Already the winningest coach in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference history, Messer will enter the 2023 season ranked 12th in NCAA Division II with 1,072 career victories.

CAREER AT A GLANCE

• Career record: 1,072-694-5 (.607)
• A 2023 ABCA Hall of Fame inductee.
• Ranks 12th in Division II history for wins in a career.
• Also ranks fourth for career victories among active coaches.
• Winningest coach in PSAC history.
• Seven-time PSAC Coach of the Year.
• Has led SRU to the NCAA Tournament on 13 occasions with four regional championships and College World Series appearances.
• Qualified for the PSAC Tournament 28 times.
• Won two PSAC Tournament titles and seven PSAC West regular season championships.
• 13 Slippery Rock student-athletes have been selected in the MLB draft under Messer with dozens of others also signing professional contracts in various independent leagues across the nation.
• Has had just three losing seasons in his first 37 years at The Rock.

SEASON-BY-SEASON BREAKDOWN

2022

• Slippery Rock went 33-16 and qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2007 season.
• The Rock’s 33 wins represented SRU’s highest win total since 2009.
• Finished second in the PSAC West standings.  
• Messer named PSAC West Coach of the Year and the Atlantic Region Coach of the Year.
• Recorded two 11-game winning streaks.
• Ricky Mineo signs free agent contract with the Minnesota Twins.  
• Connor Hamilton named an All-American.
• Ethan Edkins named PSAC West Freshman of the Year, Rock places six on All-PSAC West Team.
• Hamilton named the CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year in addition to being a part of the PSAC Spring Top 10 and the PSAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

2021

• After having the bulk of its 2020 season canceled, Slippery Rock returned to the field in an abbreviated schedule to go 23-14.
• Jon Kozarian named an All-American.
• Rock places five on All-PSAC West Team.

2020

• SRU won seven of its first 10 games before the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Joe Sibeto named the PSAC Baseball Champion Scholar.

2019

• Slippery Rock missed the postseason after ending the regular season 15-28.
• SRU defeated Franklin Pierce, 17-9, on March 14 for Messer’s 1,000th career victory.
• Joe Campagna named an All-American.
• Rock places four on All-PSAC West Team.

2018

• SRU followed its 27 wins in 2017 up by going 30-19 to make the PSAC Tournament.
• Finished second in the PSAC West standings.  
• Messer named PSAC West Coach of the Year.
• Recorded a 10-game winning streak.
• Alex Pantuso drafted by the Oakland A’s in the MLB Draft.
• Tyler Walters named an All-American.
• Walters named PSAC West Athlete of the Year.
• Abraham Mow named PSAC West Freshman of the Year.
• Rock places eight on All-PSAC West Team.
• Chris Anastas named a CoSIDA Academic All-American and the PSAC Baseball Champion Scholar.

2017

• SRU rebounded from a down 2016 to go 27-20 and return to the PSAC Tournament.
• Recorded an 11-game winning streak.
• Rock places six on All-PSAC West Team.
• Chris Anastas named the PSAC Baseball Champion Scholar.

2016

• Slippery Rock had a rare down season in the form of a 13-36 record.
• Tyler Walters named an All-American.
• Rock places three on All-PSAC West Team.

2015

• The Rock compiled their second 30-win season in a three-year period after finishing 30-18 and making the PSAC Tournament.
• SRU defeated University of the Sciences, 6-3, on March 6 for Messer’s 800th career victory.
• Jack Graham drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the MLB Draft.
• Adam Urbania named an All-American.
• Tyler Walters named PSAC West Freshman of the Year.  
• Rock places six on All-PSAC West Team.

2014

• Slippery Rock finished the season 25-20 and ending with a PSAC Tournament berth.
• Will Kengor drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the MLB Draft.
• Kengor named an All-American and the PSAC West Athlete of the Year.
• Rock places seven on All-PSAC West Team.  

2013

• SRU had its best season in a four-year stretch after finishing 31-21 and moving on to the PSAC Tournament.
• Lou Trivino drafted by the Oakland A’s in the MLB Draft.
• Will Kengor named an All-American.
• Rock places six on All-PSAC West Team.  
• Kengor named a CoSIDA Academic All-American.

2012

• The Rock avoided a losing season by going 25-25-1 all the while qualifying for the PSAC Tournament.
• Lou Trivino named an All-American.
• Rock places three on All-PSAC West Team.  

2011

• SRU posted a 27-19 record to earn a PSAC Tournament bid.
• Finished second in the PSAC West standings.  
• SRU defeated West Liberty, 12-1, on March 26 for Messer’s 800th career victory.
• Matt Howard named PSAC West Athlete of the Year.   
• Ryan Oglesby named PSAC West Freshman of the Year.   
• Rock places five on All-PSAC West Team.  

2010

• Slippery Rock recorded the first of back-to-back 27-win seasons with a 27-23 mark that included a PSAC Tournament berth.
• Rock places five on All-PSAC West Team.  

2009

• The Rock just missed out on making the NCAA Tournament following a great year in which they went 36-15 overall on the way to a PSAC Tournament appearance.
• Matt Adams drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the MLB Draft.
• Adams named an All-American, the Daktronics Division II Player of the Year and the PSAC West Athlete of the Year.
• Rock places seven on All-PSAC West Team.    

2008

• SRU recorded another winning season, going 25-23 and playing its way into the PSAC Tournament.
• Finished season ranked No. 28 in the nation.
• Matt Adams named an All-American.
• Rock places nine on All-PSAC West Team.  

2007

• The Rock went 35-17 overall while making their third trip to the NCAA Tournament in the last three years.
• Finished second in the PSAC West standings.  
• Ended season ranked No. 30 in the nation.
• SRU defeated West Chester, 6-5, on May 18 for Messer’s 700th career victory.
• Matt Adams and MJ Parsons named All-Americans.
• Adams named the PSAC West Freshman of the Year.  
• Rock places nine on All-PSAC West Team.  

2006

• SRU was 34-22 overall, qualifying for the PSAC Tournament.
• Rock places seven on All-PSAC West Team.  

2005

• Slippery Rock returned to the NCAA Tournament following a brief one-year hiatus while finishing the season at 31-15.
• Ended season ranked No. 30 in the nation.
• Rock places six on All-PSAC West Team.  

2004

• The Rock followed up a World Series season by going a solid 30-21.
• Rock places six on All-PSAC West Team.  

2003

• After missing the postseason a year earlier, Messer rebounded The Rock to go 48-13 and advance to the NCAA College World Series for a fourth time.
• The 48 wins represent the most by a Slippery Rock team in program history.
• Atlantic Region champions.
• Won the PSAC West regular season championship.
• Messer named PSAC West Coach of the Year.
• Ended season ranked No. 12 in the nation.
• SRU had two separate 14-game winning streaks.
• Alan Reichl, Joe Neidrack and Steve Norris named All-Americans.
• Norris named the Atlantic Region Pitcher of the Year.
• Rock places 11 on All-PSAC West Team.  

2002

• Slippery Rock finished the season with a 22-17 record.
• Rock places five on All-PSAC West Team.  

2001

• The Rock brought home regional runner-up honors while going 32-20 and again earning a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
• PSAC Tournament champions.
• Ended season ranked No. 27 in the nation.
• SRU defeated Kutztown, 8-1, on May 19 for Messer’s 500th career victory.
• Rock places five on All-PSAC West Team.  

2000

• For the second time in a four-year stretch, Slippery Rock qualified for the College World Series as part of a season in which it went 37-14.
• Atlantic Region champions.
• Won the PSAC West regular season championship.
• Ended season ranked No. 8 in the nation.
• Greg Stokes (Minnesota Twins), Tom Sullivan (Minnesota Twins), Craig Petulla (Houston Astros) and Dan DeCola (Minnesota Twins) drafted by in the MLB Draft.
• DeCola named PSAC West Athlete of the Year.  
• Rock places nine on All-PSAC West Team.  

1999

• SRU just missed another 40-win year, going a spectacular 39-14 and yet again qualifying for the NCAA Tournament.
• Won the PSAC West regular season championship.
• Ended season ranked No. 25 in the nation.
• Recorded a 10-game winning streak.
• Bob Spangler named an All-American.
• Nate Thimons named PSAC West Athlete of the Year.  
• George Johnson named PSAC West Frehman of the Year.  
• Rock places eight on All-PSAC West Team.  
• Mark Dolan named a CoSIDA Academic All-American.

1998

• Slippery Rock made the third of six consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances en route to a season in which SRU was 34-14-1 overall.
• Won the PSAC West regular season championship.
• Messer named PSAC West Coach of the Year.
• Ended season ranked No. 26 in the nation.
• Recorded a 10-game winning streak.
• Rock places seven on All-PSAC West Team.  
• Mark Dolan named a CoSIDA Academic All-American.

1997

• For the second time in program history Slippery Rock made it to the College World Series while ending the year at 30-21 overall.
• Atlantic Region champions.
• Won the PSAC West regular season championship.
• Ended season ranked No. 20 in the nation.
• Rock places six on All-PSAC West Team.  

1996

• The Rock went 27-22 and were the regional runner-up in the NCAA Atlantic Region Tournament.
• Won the PSAC West regular season championship.
• Messer named PSAC West Coach of the Year.
• Ended season ranked No. 24 in the nation.
• Rock places seven on All-PSAC West Team.  

1995

• Slippery Rock quickly returned to form, going 29-21 to start a stretch of 21 consecutive winning seasons while also going back to the PSAC Tournament.
• Won the PSAC West regular season championship.
• Messer named PSAC West Coach of the Year.
• Mark Drager drafted by the Texas Rangers in the MLB Draft.
• Rock places six on All-PSAC West Team.  

1994

• In a rare “down year”, Slippery Rock went 21-24 and did not qualify for a postseason tournament for just the second time in Messer’s tenure.
• Tony Dougherty drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the MLB Draft.
• John Davide named an All-American.
• TJ Kamerer named PSAC West Freshman of the Year.  
• Rock places two on All-PSAC West Team.  

1993

• The Rock registered their fourth 30-win season under Messer, concluding the year at 37-12 and advancing to the NCAA Tournament.
• Messer named PSAC West Coach of the Year.
• Ended season ranked No. 12 in the nation.
• Bill Gross named an All-American.
• Rock places five on All-PSAC West Team.  

1992

• SRU went 28-15, qualifying for the PSAC Tournament.
• Messer named PSAC West Coach of the Year.
• Ended season ranked No. 27 in the nation.
• Rock places four on All-PSAC West Team.  

1991

• Slippery Rock returned to the NCAA Tournament for a second time under Messer while finishing the season with a 34-20 record.
• Won the PSAC Tournament championship.
• Ended season ranked No. 17 in the nation.
• Kevin Keryan named an All-American.
• Rock places five on All-PSAC West Team.  

1990

• Followed World Series season up by going 27-20-1.
• Rock places five on All-PSAC West Team.  

1989

• The Rock won a then program record 42 games as part of a 42-17 campaign that saw SRU make the NCAA Division II World Series for the first time in program history.
• Atlantic Region champions.
• Ended season ranked No. 10 in the nation.
• Recorded a 12-game winning streak.
• Craig White drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the MLB Draft.
• White, Matt Deinert and Kirk Scurpa named All-Americans.
• Rock places five on All-PSAC West Team.  

1988

• SRU posted another winning record, going 30-18 for another PSAC Tournament berth.
• Finished second in the PSAC West regular-season standings.
• Ended season ranked No. 21 in the nation.
• Rock places six on All-PSAC West Team.  

1987

• Guided The Rock to a 28-20 record and another trip to the PSAC Tournament.
• Willy Fillard drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the MLB Draft.
• Rock places six on All-PSAC West Team.  

1986

• Led Slippery Rock to a 24-16 record in first season at The Rock as well as an appearance in the PSAC Tournament.
• SRU defeated Atlantic Christian, 5-2, on March 23 for Messer’s first victory.
• Rock places six on All-PSAC West Team.  

THE ROCK IN THE CLASSROOM

• Just as important as all the on-field accolades under Messer, have been the accomplishments of The Rock’s athletes in the classroom. Since 1997, Rock baseball has had six players named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America Team – including 2022 CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year Connor Hamilton - as well as 151 PSAC Scholar-Athletes.
• Slippery Rock baseball has compiled a team GPA of at least 3.0 every season over the last decade.
• Six SRU baseball student-athletes have also achieved the highest PSAC academic honors the conference honors in being named PSAC Champion Scholars and members of the PSAC Spring Top 10.

COACHING TIMELINE

• 1983-84: Westfield State College (assistant coach)
• 1985: Oklahoma City University (assistant coach)
• 1986-Present: Slippery Rock (head coach)

CAREER PATH

• Messer’s first collegiate coaching position came in 1983 as an assistant at Westfield State College in Westfield, Massachusetts. Messer helped to guide Westfield to a 41-31 record in his two seasons with the Owls.
• After two seasons at Westfield State, Messer became the assistant coach at Oklahoma City University for one season in 1985 where he coached five players that signed professional contracts.
• Left Oklahoma City for Slippery Rock to embark on Hall of Fame career.
• In addition to his coaching duties at Slippery Rock, Messer was also an assistant professor in SRU’s health and physical education department until January 2008, when he relinquished his teaching duties to become a full-time baseball coach.

PLAYING CAREER

• Messer attended Springfield College, where he played shortstop on the Pride baseball team before graduating in 1980.
• Upon graduation, Messer played professionally in Holland before beginning his college coaching career.

PERSONAL

• A native of Lee, Massachusetts.
• Received Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Springfield College.
• Earned his Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology Oklahoma City University.
• Messer and his wife Mary, who is the Director of Parks and Recreation for the town of Slippery Rock, are the parents of three children: Matt, Michelle and Billy.