Brandon Hunt begins his second season as the manager of the Upper Iowa baseball program in 2017-18, after compiling a 19-29 overall record in his first season, including a 15-25 mark in the NSIC.
Hunt served as an assistant coach at Augustana University, a fellow member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, from 2012-16. Hunt was also the lead assistant from 2014-16 after coaching as a volunteer on Tim Huber's staff the previous two years.
At Augustana, Hunt worked primarily with the catchers and handled the majority of recruiting duties for the Vikings. In 2016, Hunt helped lead Augie to a 37-17 record and a 26-8 record in the NSIC. The Vikings finished second in the league.
"I want to thank all of the former Upper Iowa baseball players," stated Hunt, "as well as former head coaches Mark Danker (17 years), Rick Heller (12 years), Bill Prochaska (20 years) and John Doc Dorman (58 years) for their tireless work to build the Peacock baseball program to this point. Without them I would not be in the position that I am today and I am forever grateful to these men for that."
Hunt helped with the development of many Vikings in 2016 including the development of Patrick O'Donnell who earned First Team All-America honors by the ABCA/Rawlings and the D2CCA. O'Donnell also earned Second Team All-America honors by the NCBWA.
Under Hunt's guidance four Vikings earned First Team All-NSIC honors while one earned second team honors. Four infielders were named to the NSIC Gold Glove Team, the most the school has produced in a single season. Augustana produced the most Academic All-NSIC members in 2016 when 13 members earned the academic honor, while two also earned CoSIDA Academic All-District 7 honors.
Hunt said, "The NSIC is one of the best NCAA Division II baseball leagues in the country and in the years to come our fans will see a program that is built on a culture of toughness, pride, integrity, and family. I have always been a coach that believes that the culture of a program is stronger than the talent of a program!"
The Vikings had multiple All-Region award winners this past season as three were named to the NCBWA All-Region team and the D2CCA All-Region Team. Only O'Donnell earned ABCA/Rawlings All-Region honors.
Hunt also played a major part in the development of Augustana catcher Jack Goihl in 2014. Goihl was an All-America first-team selection by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) and American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA). Goihl went on to be drafted in the 28th round of the 2015 MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Cleveland Indians.
Hunt was an infielder/catcher/outfielder on Augustana's 2003 North Central Conference championship team. He drove in two runs with a bases-loaded single in the top of the 10th inning as the Vikings defeated Northern Colorado, 6-3, in the title showdown. It was Augustana's only NCC crown.
He graduated from Augustana in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in education. After graduation, he served as assistant coach for Sioux Falls East High School and Augustana (2007, 2008). Hunt served as the head coach of Sioux Falls Post 15 East's baseball team for three years. He compiled a 101-50 record and led East to the 2011 South Dakota championship. East was the runner-up in 2010.
Hunt played for legendary coach Dave Ploof and the Rapid City Post 22 team helping the Hardhats to a pair of state championships (2001, 2002).
Brandon Hunt: Year-by-Year at Upper Iowa (36-53, 2 seasons)
| 2018 |
17-24 (15-18 NSIC) |
NSIC Gold Glove - Zac Cain |
| 2017 |
19-29 (15-25 NSIC) |
All-NSIC Second Team - Brett Fanning, Luis Ravelo || NSIC Gold Glove - Luis Ravelo |
