ST. PAUL, Minn. – For the first time since 1996, University of Northwestern Baseball has a new skipper. After a national search, Jesse Eikum has been named the new Head Baseball Coach.
 
"First off, I want to thank President Hoornbeek, Dr. Matt Hill, and the search committee for the opportunity to be the next head baseball coach," said Eikum. "I'm humbled and honored to have been chosen. I'm thankful to have played for Coach Hieb and coached under him over the last six years. It's been a great opportunity to see him lead young men, keeping their eyes focused on Christ and giving glory to God no matter the circumstance. I'm excited to lead the program going forward and I'm thankful to Jesus for bringing me to this moment. I want to thank my family for all the support they have given me during my coaching career. And also want to thank my soon to be wife Snezhana for her support and care for something I love to do."
 
Fans of the Eagles' baseball program will recognize Eikum as he has served on the coaching staff since 2018. In his time as a Northwestern assistant coach, Eikum helped lead UNW to their best four-season stretch in program history with 106 wins from 2018-2022, omitting the canceled 2020 season due to COVID-19­­. He also helped lead the Eagles to two UMAC Regular Season Championships in 2021 and 2022, a UMAC Tournament Championship in 2021, and an NCAA Regional Tournament Appearance in 2021 in which the Eagles advanced all the way to the championship game; just one game away from the NCAA DIII World Series.
 
"I am excited to have Coach Eikum take over the program after 28 great years of leadership from former coach Dave Hieb." said Director of Athletics Dr. Matt Hill. "Jesse brings a lot of baseball experience with him into this role. A scholarship collegiate player himself, he has also been an assistant and head coach. Coach Eikum played a major role in the program's historic NCAA Sweet 16 run in 2021. The current and future players will benefit from his baseball history but more importantly for his ability to mentor them in their faith journey at Northwestern."

Eikum got his start in coaching at the collegiate level in 2008 when he joined the University of St. Thomas baseball program as an assistant coach and the head JV coach. While coaching there in 2009, the Tommies won the National Championship at the NCAA DIII World Series. In 2011, Eikum joined the coaching staff at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater; the same year the Warhawks made it to the NCAA DIII World Series.
 
After his World Series appearance with UW-Whitewater, Eikum earned his first collegiate head coaching position at Presentation College. Eikum took ove­r a program with only 13 players in 2012 and built the roster to a competitive 52 by 2016. In his six-season tenure there, Eikum led the program in the transition from NCAA DIII to NAIA and earned multiple signature wins against some of the top teams in the NAIA.
 
Following the 2017 season at Presentation, Eikum returned to Northwestern to join the baseball coaching staff of his alma mater. Back in 2004, Eikum had transferred to Northwestern for his senior season after playing at Biola University in California where he had won two GSAC Championships and reached the NAIA World Series in 2001 and 2003. Eikum helped lead the Eagles to a 25-win season; a program record at the time. Pitching and playing third base, Eikum earned an NAIA Player of the Week award during the season and earned UMAC First Team All-Conference honors at the end of the spring.

In addition to his collegiate career, Eikum also played amateur ball during the summer. He won two Minnesota Class A State Championships for St. Louis Park in 2002 and 2008. Eikum was also named to the State All-Tournament Team in 2002.
 
In 2005, Eikum graduated from UNW with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education K-12. In 2010, he earned his Master of Arts in Athletic & Activities Management degree from University of St. Thomas.

"I am super excited to have Jesse as our new head baseball coach," said former head coach Dave Hieb. "He is the right person at the right time for our program. Jesse is passionate about using the game of baseball to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ. The players love his love for the players and his passion for the game. Jesse brings a wealth of experience; everything from his playing days at Biola and UNW to coaching under University of St. Thomas legend Dennis Denning and John Vodenlich at UW-Whitewater when they played in the College World Series. Jesse has built into the lives of his players and I am excited to see what is in store for UNW Baseball. He is a man amongst men and we are so fortunate to have him leading our program."