ST. PAUL, Minn.- At the conclusion of the 2023 UNW Baseball season, the Eagles' dugout will look a lot different than it has for the last three decades. Dave Hieb, who has been the Head Baseball Coach at the University of Northwestern for the past 28 seasons, announced that 2023 will be his last season as the head coach. He will remain at UNW full time as a professor and athletic trainer.
In the history of UNW Baseball, nobody has been a bigger staple in that Eagle dugout than Coach Hieb. The 2023 season marks his 34th season coaching baseball at Northwestern, having spent the last 28 seasons as the head coach. Coach Hieb has also spent the last 34 years serving as an athletic trainer at UNW. Coach Hieb holds program records for seasons coached, games coached, wins, and (unofficially) laughs produced from his student athletes and co-workers.
"I have been extremely blessed to have coached so many outstanding young men at Northwestern," Coach Hieb said. "These players have impacted me greatly and I hope they will go on to have greater success outside the gates of UNW. The players who have played for me are leaving a far greater impact than I could ever give back in return."
Coach Hieb, alongside his players and assistant coaches, has left an incredible legacy on the baseball field at UNW. Entering the 2023 season, he had amassed 505 career wins including nine 20 win seasons and two 30 win seasons. Coach Hieb-led teams hold nine of the top ten win/loss records in program history. Hieb has been the only Eagle head coach in the history of Reynolds Field, which was built in 2014, and the Eagles have created some lifelong memories on that turf field at UNW.
Hieb led the Eagles through their best season in program history in 2021 when his squad went 35-12 and set the program record for wins in a season. UNW went 15-1 in UMAC play that season and won both the UMAC Regular Season and Tournament titles. Hieb's team made more history that season, being chosen to host the NCAA Regional which gave the team its first NCAA National Tournament appearance in program history and was the first NCAA National Tournament game to be hosted at Reynolds Field. Coach Hieb's team would advance through the regional before finally bowing out in the Regional Final, just one game away from the College World Series.
Despite numerous accomplishments, accolades, and records on the baseball field it is the impact that Coach Hieb and UNW Baseball has had off the diamond that gets mentioned when you ask people about the legendary coach.
"Coach Hieb can certainly evaluate what a baseball player can do on the field, but what makes him so special is his ability to see beyond a man's athletic talent," Assistant Coach Luke Widbin said. "He's unmatched in seeing character traits that complement the team in such an integral way, especially in those that other programs wouldn't normally consider. I am confident that Dave Hieb is the only person in college baseball who would've given me a chance to coach! A team's chemistry and makeup hinges on much more than finding the best nine players, it takes an entire support system of players and coaches that build each other up with Christ at the center. Over the past nine seasons, it amazes me how Coach Hieb is consistently able to find those types of individuals from high schools across the country and it's been a pleasure to watch them positively impact this program."
Gabe Eikum, who found pitching success as a player under Coach Hieb and has served as the team's pitching coach for the last 13 seasons, said: "Coach Hieb has been the face of Northwestern Baseball for the past 28 years. He has had a positive impact on so many lives during his time as a coach and will continue to have a positive impact on many lives in whatever he does in the future. Thank you to Coach Hieb for the impact he has had on the Northwestern Baseball program on and off the field."
Another former player turned assistant coach, Max Barthel, commented on the selflessness of Coach Hieb which has led to his many successes. "Coach Hieb's dedication and selflessness to UNW Baseball has put the program on the path to sustainable success on the field and eternal success off the field," Barthel said. "Hieb counts every member of our team as more important than himself. He is an exceptional example of what it means to be a selfless leader."
28 consecutive years is a long time to spend doing the same job. A near three decade run as a collegiate head coach is extremely rare and is an accomplishment that deserves to be recognized. The consistency that Coach Hieb has provided at UNW and specifically with the baseball program is something that has caught the eye of the people that he has worked with.
UNW's Athletic Director Dr. Matt Hill appreciates the steadiness that Coach Hieb has brought to his athletic department. Dr. Hill said: "Coach Hieb has been a foundational rock in the success of not only Eagle Baseball but our athletic department as a whole. He has faithfully served for over three decades in various capacities including baseball and athletic training. Coach Hieb leaves the baseball program with a long legacy of growing young men in many areas of their lives. He will be greatly missed in the baseball community but will still be active at UNW as a professor and certified athletic trainer."
Tyler Sage knew Coach Hieb as a player with the Eagles and has been an assistant coach for the last 13 seasons which makes him a great person to talk about Coach Hieb's consistency. "Coach Hieb has been a rock for the baseball program for three decades," Sage said. "He is an amazing example of what it means to be like Christ by constantly serving his players and all athletes. He also fights for all athletes to be a part of this school, if it wouldn't have been for him I would not have made it to Northwestern."
Coach Hieb is not leaving Northwestern. He will still serve in a full time role as a professor and an athletic trainer and will treat the position the way he has for the last 34 years. Anyone who knows Coach Hieb knows that every task he does will be done with his full effort and with a smile on his face. Dave Hieb is retiring from the position of Head Coach for UNW Baseball and one thing is certain: he made a major impact on and off the field.
Jesse Eikum, who played for Coach Hieb and has been his right hand man on the coaching staff over the past few years, is the perfect person to sum up Coach Hieb's impact: "Coach Hieb has stayed consistent in keeping our eyes focused on Jesus no matter the circumstance. He has been a great example to the student athletes and the coaching staff while at Northwestern. He has always valued relationships. It has been a joy to coach alongside Coach Hieb during his final six years of coaching. He has been a faithful, servant leader. He epitomizes the mission of UNW Baseball in which we strive to be men of character, passionately pursuing success, persevering through trial, and practicing true brotherhood all for the glory of God."
After 34 years of service at UNW and 28 years of serving as the UNW Baseball Head Coach, Coach Hieb deserves to have the final word:
"There are so many people I need to recognize for this opportunity. First off, I am grateful for Joe Smith when he was the AD at Northwestern. He gave me the chance to become a head college coach after six years as an assistant coach to Dr. Mark Muska. Secondly, I am grateful for Mark Muska who recommended that I get the opportunity to be the head coach. Finally, I must thank Dr. Matt Hill for his support and encouragement to allow me to continue to pursue my professional passions. I have been truly blessed to be the head baseball coach at Northwestern!"
Follow along with UNW Baseball in Coach Hieb's final season at Reynolds Field and unweagles.com all season long.