Brandon Riley has been appointed as the new assistant coach for Elon baseball, following a successful stint at Wingate University. A native of Burlington and former professional player with the St. Louis Cardinals, Riley is eager to return to his roots. Head Coach Mike Kennedy emphasized Riley's connection to the community and his impactful experience in baseball. Riley鈥檚 coaching tenure at Wingate saw his hitters leading in multiple statistical categories in NCAA Division II.

By the Numbers
  • Wingate's hitters ranked first in the South Atlantic Conference in batting average (.338) and home runs (94) during Riley's last season (2026).
  • Riley had a batting average of .298 with 142 RBIs during his collegiate career at North Carolina, earning All-ACC Second Team honors in 2018.
Yes, But

Some may question the transition from a lower division coaching role to a more prominent program, highlighting potential challenges in adapting strategies and managing expectations at a Division I level.

State of Play
  • Elon baseball is looking to build on its legacy with the addition of Riley, who has direct ties to the local community.
  • Riley's previous success at Wingate sets a strong precedent for his coaching performance at Elon.
What's Next

Riley will focus on developing Elon鈥檚 hitting strategies, aiming to enhance player performance and bring success to the program in upcoming seasons. His local ties could also augment fan engagement and community support.

Bottom Line

Brandon Riley's return to Elon as an assistant coach represents a merging of local passion with professional experience, potentially revitalizing the program and fostering a stronger community connection.