SALEM, Va. – Brett Kaminski, formerly the assistant baseball coach and recruiting coordinator at Ferrum College, was announced as the new head baseball coach of Roanoke College on Thursday.
Kaminski was a large part in bringing in 65 student-athletes to the Ferrum baseball program the last two years through the recruiting process. In 2024, the Panthers led the Old Dominion Athletic Conference with 101 stolen bases and Ferrum had a team batting average of .304. The lineup included two players that hit over .420. Kaminski practice planned for all team activities, including weightlifting and conditioning, and also served as hitting instructor and outfield coach.
"Taking on the role of head coach for Roanoke College baseball is an incredible honor," said Kaminski. "I want to thank the administration for their trust in me, and my family for their constant support. I'm excited to build on this program's strong foundation, instill a culture of hard work and dedication, and lead these young men to new heights. Together, we'll strive for excellence on and off the field."
Kaminski came to Ferrum from NCAA Div. II Tiffin University in Ohio, where he was an assistant coach responsible for player development and recruiting. In 2021, Tiffin's offense ranked first in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) in batting average, runs scored, hits, doubles, walks, and on-base percentage. The Dragons were also ranked in the top 50 nationally in batting average, hits, walks and on-base percentage. Tiffin went on to place five position players on the GMAC All-Conference team in that season.
Prior to Tiffin, Kaminski spent two years at NAIA school Webber International University in central Florida, where he was a graduate assistant and an assistant coach. The Warriors were nationally recognized in 2019 & 2020 and fell just one win short of the program's first NAIA World Series appearance in 2019.
Kaminski attended and played baseball at Webber International from 2016-18. He was a member of the three teams that won more games (in that span) than any other team in program history. In 2016, the Webber offense set new records for runs scored, home runs, extra base hits, total bases, and stolen bases. In 2017, Webber made its first NAIA Tournament appearance and set a program record for season wins. The 2018 Warriors clinched the program's first conference title in the Sun Conference Tournament and made another NAIA playoff appearance.
"I'm pleased to have Brett join our staff," said Curtis Campbell, Roanoke's Director of Athletics. "There was a consistent theme when I talked to people about Brett 'he's a baseball guy, he's a hard worker, he's organized and a great recruiter' all of those traits will make him successful in his new role. I look forward to watching him take our program to new heights."
Kaminski earned his bachelor's degree in Sport Business Management in 2018, and his master's degree in Criminal Justice Management in 2020 from Webber International. He and his wife Katelyn Kaminski, the RC competitive cheerleading coach, live in Roanoke with their one-year-old daughter, Kinsley.
What they are saying about Kaminski:
"Brett is phenomenal hire for Roanoke College. He is a relentless recruiter who has developed tremendous relationships with coaches and players throughout the region. Brett's knowledge and love for the game will be at the forefront daily for his players. I am so excited to watch Brett excel as the Head Baseball Coach at Roanoke College." – Alex Guerra, head coach at Radford University
"Brett was such a valuable member of the athletics staff the three years I worked with him here at Ferrum. He exceeded expectations in everything he did from practice preparation, to coaching in games, recruiting, social media and administrative paperwork. Brett made a quality experience for and a positive impact on our baseball players. I'm excited for him to lead Roanoke College's baseball program as he makes his head coaching debut." - Gary Holden, Ferrum College Associate AD & Sports Information Director
"Coach Kaminski is a tireless worker who has an intense desire to develop young men on and off the field. He will be a great asset to Roanoke College and the community as a whole. The young men in the baseball program will love playing for him. Roanoke College has added a quality individual and family to their athletics department!" - former head Ferrum College baseball coach Ryan Brittle.