JEFF DITCH            Return to WINwithClass.com
Coaching Biography

Jeff Ditch compiled 10 years of experience as a DI assistant baseball coach in three major conferences prior to being hired as the head coach at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  His DI experience includes Penn State University in the Big Ten, University of Cincinnati in Conference USA, and West Virginia University in the Big East.

10 wins ... 20 wins ... 36 wins!

Ditch was hired as the 12th head coach in IUP history on June 17, 2005.  After a first season record of 10-41 (3-17 PSAC) in 2006, the Crimson Hawks quickly turned around and finished 20-28 (10-10 PSAC) in 2007 and 36-19 (13-7 PSAC) in 2008.  The 2007 Crimson Hawks reached the 20-win plateau for the first time since 1998 and only the third time in the past 15 years and in 2008 posted a school record for wins in a season with 36.

The 26 win improvement over the past three years is the best in all of NCAA Division I and Division II baseball from 2006-2008.  Canisius (24), Duke (22), and Louisiana Monroe (19) are the top three in DI, while Bryant (25) is second to IUP in DII.

After the record breaking season in 2008, four sophomores were named to the All-PSAC West team (Colby Betz, Corey Betz, TJ Nichols, and Paul Bingham).  All-North Atlantic Region selections included Colby Betz and Shayne Busti.  The Crimson Hawks broke 20 school records in 2008 and were ranked as high as 4th in the region and 24th in the nation.

Colby Betz is IUP's first participant in the Cape Cod Baseball Summer League as a member of the 2008 Hyannis Mets.  In addition, Paul Bingham is a member of the Winchester Royals in the Virginia Valley League.

In 2007, Tyler Wise and Bingham were named to the All-PSAC West team.  Both hit over .400, becoming the first set of IUP teammates to reach that mark in 10 years.  Wise was also named to the All-North Atlantic Region first team.

During the past three seasons, Crimson Hawk players have been awarded PSAC athlete of the week eight times: Chris Twigg (4/3/06), Paul Bingham (3/21/07), Dan Snyder (3/28/07), Chris Twigg (4/16/07), Paul Bingham (4/7/08), Paul Bingham (4/14/08), Kyle Stryker (4/28/08, and Colby Betz (4/28/08).

Not only is the baseball team successful on the field, but also in the classroom.  The 2008 team earned a GPA of 3.002 for the academic year.  In three years, the baseball team has had 96 IUP Dean's List members, 34 PSAC Scholar Athletes, and one PSAC Top Ten (Ryan Mostyn). More details of the baseball academic program and community involvement can be found at www.winwithclass.com.

Ditch also participated in baseball camps in the Dominican Republic (left) in January of 2008 as part of "Meeting God in Missions" with IUP Athletic Director Frank Condino.

Ditch spent the 2004 and 2005 summers as an assistant with the Cotuit Kettleers and Head Coach Mike Roberts in the prestigious Cape Cod Summer Baseball League. He also was a one-year assistant for Head Coach Rick Robinson at junior college national power Young Harris College in 2005.

Hired at WVU on August 18, 2003, he was responsible for coaching the hitters, infielders, and directed the Mountaineer baseball camps during his time in Morgantown with Head Coach Greg Van Zant.

Prior to WVU, Ditch served as pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Cincinnati for five seasons (1998-2003) under Head Coach Brian Cleary.  While working with UC's pitchers, the Bearcats lowered their staff earned run average by three runs per contest en route to three consecutive 30-win seasons, a first at UC.

The 2003 pitching staff reflected his philosophy of throwing three pitches for strikes by establishing a new UC school record, dating back through 40 years of UC baseball history, by allowing only 2.93 base on balls per game.  The 2002 staff posted the lowest ERA since 1995.  In 2001 a school record of 16 Conference USA wins and a third place finish was posted.  The 2000 staff allowed opponents to hit just .274, third lowest in C-USA, and broke school records for wins with 35 and saves with 16.  The Bearcats finished runner-up to nationally ranked Houston in the 2000 C-USA Tournament.  In his first season as pitching coach, the 1999 staff set a school season record for strikeouts with 400 and ace Tony Cento has since pitched as high as Double A for the Minnesota Twins.

His guidance was also instrumental in developing Curtus Moak into an All-American closer and 25th round draft by the Cincinnati Reds.  "My experience with Coach Ditch definitely helped my development and propel my career into professional baseball," said Moak.  "His wisdom, along with patience and great listening skills helped me understand pitching and strategies to bring on the field."

BJ Borsa, 2003 Bearcat ace and Cincinnati Reds minor leaguer, registered a school record 59 career starts during his four year career.  Tony Maynard (2001) and Kyle Markle (2002), two current Bearcat pitchers, were both honored by Collegiate Baseball as Louisville Slugger Freshman All Americans.  Other pitcher accomplishments include UC's career leaders in wins, saves, appearances, innings pitched, and strikeouts.

The University of Cincinnati coaching staff was honored by the Buckeye Scouting Report after the 2000 season as the Ohio Staff of the Year.  "UC's staff leaves no stone unturned when it comes to scouting Ohio and the region's top baseball talent.  They are very thorough in their evaluations," said Jeff Fisher, the Buckeye Scout after announcing the award.

Success in the classroom at UC was in part credited to the quality of students being recruited, with his four incoming recruiting classes averaging 3.23 NCAA Core GPA, 22 ACT, and 1017 SAT.

Ditch has coached 4 Big East, 25 C-USA, and 35 Big Ten All-Conference players, along with many players who have been drafted or signed free agent professional baseball contracts.  He recruited and signed to a National Letter of Intent the highest draft pick (6th round) in UC history.  Former Bearcat great Kevin Youkilis, an 8th round draft, is currently playing for the 2004 and 2007 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox.  Youkilis made his major league debut May 15, 2004 and was named American League Rookie of the month of May.

Ditch arrived at UC after spending four seasons (1994-98) at Penn State as recruiting coordinator and hitting instructor.  The Nittany Lions won the Big Ten Championship in 1996.

"When Jeff first arrived at Penn State, we knew very little about him and by the time he left for Cincinnati we all realized we had lost a gem," said Penn State Head Coach Joe Hindelang (since retired).  "To be specific, Jeff was given the responsibility of Recruiting Coordinator, where his tireless efforts elevated the quality of our recruits.  In addition, he is a gifted teacher on the field with outstanding knowledge of the game, and his easy-going manner and sense of humor won over all the players he coached."

"Coach Cleary should be commended on his great hire of Jeff and the entire Cincinnati athletic family is fortunate to have such a superb human being as a member," added Hindelang when Ditch departed Penn State for Cincinnati in the fall of 1998.

During his tenure as hitting instructor, the Nittany Lions obliterated Big Ten records for total bases (529) and home runs (60) in Big Ten games during the 1998 season.  More evidence of success can be found in the Penn State career hitting records as he coached many of the all-time record holders.  Among those hitters were All-Americans Mike Campo and Shawn Fagan.

"His knowledge and passion for the game coupled with his ability to teach was absolutely instrumental in my development as a player," stated Campo. "I owe a large part of the success I've experienced to him."

The Penn State team twice shattered the school's previous home run record of 49 by hitting 72 in 1997 and again breaking that with 91 in 1998.  Ditch identified, recruited, and signed the highest draft pick (14th round) in Penn State history to enroll as a student-athlete.  He also assisted in the development of pitcher Nate Bump, a 1998 first round draft, who is currently pitching for the 2003 World Series Champion Florida Marlins.

A native of Wahpeton, North Dakota, Ditch began his college coaching at St. Cloud State University, Minnesota, (1992-94) under long-time Husky's coach Dennis Lorsung as a graduate assistant.  He spent the summer of 1997 as head coach of the St. Cloud River Bats in the Northwoods Collegiate Summer League, directing the team to a 34-30 record.  Ditch has also served as an American Legion head coach for nine seasons in Galchutt, Wahpeton, and Jamestown, ND, prior to entering the college ranks.

He is currently a member of the Valley City State University, ND, Athletic Hall of Fame following the induction of the 1987 VCSU Baseball team in 2005. Ditch was a member of the team from 1986-1988 and coached by Jim Dew.

Ditch, 41, is a 1984 graduate of Richland High School, Colfax, ND, and received his bachelor's degree as a cum laude double major in Mathematics and Physical Education, and a minor in Athletic Coaching at Valley City State in 1989.  After college, he taught high school Math and PE in Agate, CO, and Wahpeton for a total of three years before attending graduate school.  He earned 51 credits towards a master's degree in Athletic Administration while attending St. Cloud State University.

He and his wife Alison were married on September 2, 2005, and reside in Indiana, PA, along with Damien (7) and Aubree (4).

What they're saying about Jeff Ditch upon being hired at IUP
 

"Jeff will be an absolute credit to IUP.  He is married to baseball and will run his program with total integrity.  He knows the game, loves the kids and is fair and knowledgeable."

"No one will work harder at recruiting.  He helped put together our Penn State team that went to the NCAA Super Region in 2000.  He'll put the effort into getting IUP to where it wants to go with its baseball program within the parameters of the university, financially and academically."

"Jeff is a throwback - they threw away the mold when they made him.  As a human being, they don't come any finer.  You'll be proud of the job he'll do at IUP.  You've hired a special person."

- Retired Penn State Head Coach Joe Hindelang

"I've known Jeff from his time at Penn State through his time at Cincinnati and West Virginia.  After 12 years, I finally had the opportunity to have him on my staff at Young Harris.  He is one of the best college coaches in the nation at teaching the game, motivating players and recruiting the best athletes."

"He also comes with unmatched integrity.  There is no doubt he'll be successful no matter where he's coaching."

 - Young Harris College Head Coach Rick Robinson

"Congratulations on a terrific hire.  I think first and foremost that Jeff is a tremendous guy.  The players, staff, administration and community will quickly find that out about him."

"Second, he has pays great attention to detail and has a tremendous work ethic.  He has an extreme passion for coaching baseball.  The players will soon realize what an outstanding teacher they have."

"Finally, Jeff is very competitive.  He'll work hard in recruiting and get great players who will develop under his teaching and succeed once they hit the field."

- University of Cincinnati Head Coach Brian Cleary

"IUP has hired one of the finest gentlemen I've ever met.  There is not an assistant coach anywhere in amateur baseball that deserves a head coaching job more than Jeff Ditch.  I absolutely think that IUP made a great decision.  He will bring tremendous leadership to IUP baseball, both on and off the field."

         - Cotuit Kettleers (Cape Cod League) and Former University of North Carolina Head Coach Mike Roberts

Players coached:

Major League Baseball

USA National Team

USA Olympic Team

Drafted by Major League Baseball

Camp instruction in the Dominican Republic, January 2008

School Record 36 Wins
PSAC West Runner-up
PSAC Post Season
20 School Records
NCAA Best Three Year Improvement
3.08 Cumulative Team GPA
96 Dean's List Members
34 PSAC Scholars