Ryan Copeland, head baseball coach at Northern Illinois University, has been named the ABCA/ATEC NCAA Division I Midwest Region Coach of the Year. Under his leadership, the Huskies achieved a record 36 wins, secured their first Mid-American Conference title, and made their first NCAA appearance since 1972. The team excelled in the MAC Tournament and set multiple program records in performance and fielding. Copeland expressed gratitude, crediting his coaching staff for their commitment to developing the student-athletes.

By the Numbers
  • NIU won a program-record 36 games this season.
  • The Huskies achieved a 1.80 earned run average during the MAC Tournament.
  • NIU scored a program-record 416 runs and struck out 450 batters in 2025.
State of Play
  • NIU has set nine program records during Copeland's tenure.
  • The team featured four All-MAC selections for the first time since 2011.
  • Copeland has previously won the ABCA Region Coach of the Year in 2021 and 2022 at Illinois-Springfield.
What's Next

With this recognition, Copeland aims to continue building the Huskies' success and expand on their recent achievements, potentially attracting more talented recruits and enhancing the program's performance in future seasons.

Bottom Line

Ryan Copeland's recognition as Coach of the Year highlights the transformative impact he has had on the NIU baseball program, positioning the team for sustained growth and success in collegiate athletics.