Aurora announced that Lane Stahl, currently assistant pitching
coach, will be promoted to head coach for the university. Stahl
takes over the reins of the successful Spartan program from Shaun
Neitzel who resigned and was named Dean of Student Life for the
university. Neitzel who spent the last 10 seasons as the Head Coach
of the Spartan program had an overall record of 287-146-2. Neitzel
was 38-10 in his final season with the Spartans.
"I am pleased that Lane Stahl has agreed to take the reins of
the program so that we have coaching continuity and can build on
the tradition of success that Spartan Baseball has enjoyed," Aurora
University Provost Andrew Manion said. "I also am grateful to
Coach Neitzel for his outstanding performance as coach and look
forward to the positive influence he will have on all of our
students in his new role."
Stahl is no stranger to the Spartan baseball program, having
returned to AU for the second time in 2010 after being away from
the program for seven seasons. Stahl was an assistant coach for the
Spartans from 1999-2002.
In Stahl's last three seasons as the Spartan pitching coach, the
team has captured three consecutive Northern Athletics Conference
(NAC) Tournament Championships and appeared in three straight NCAA
Division III Regionals with a 105-40 record. During these three
seasons, Stahl also had one pitcher named a D3baseball.com
All-American, five named all-region and nine pitchers named
Northern Athletics Conference All-Conference.
"I would like to thank the Aurora University administration for
this great opportunity. I am excited for the opportunity to
continue the proud winning tradition of the Spartan baseball
program. I have seen in my experience here as an assistant coach
that AU has the tools and support necessary to maintain a
successful program," said Stahl. "I will strive to recruit talented
and enthusiastic student athletes who fit the Spartan mold both
academically and athletically."
Stahl returned to AU in 2010 after he completed his third season
on staff at East Texas Baptist University in 2009, working with
Tiger pitchers as well as serving as the program's recruiting
coordinator. Prior to joining East Texas Baptist, Stahl spent two
years as the head coach at Hendrix College.
Stahl received his bachelor's degree in management from Howard
Payne University and went on to earn a master's degree in sports
and exercise science from West Texas A&M University.
During his coaching career, Stahl has coached teams that have made
eight playoff appearances, with his teams making consecutive trips
from 1999 to 2002. As hitting coach at AU in 1999, Stahl worked
with a program that finished seventh in the Division III World
Series and was second in the nation in team batting average. In
2002, the Spartans were the top hitting team in the nation
statistically.
Stahl has also been a member of the American Baseball Coaches
Association since 1995. Lane and his wife, Angie, have two sons,
Tanner and Owen.