StandingO

Minnesota Gopher baseball and the name John Anderson go hand in hand. The maroon and gold oozes out of Anderson. That’s what comes with spending nearly half a century in one place. Entering his 42nd season as head baseball coach for the Gophers, Anderson has done just about everything one can. Holding nearly every program record, and multiple conference and national records, he has helped craft this prestigious baseball environment into something special — a 1,359-994-3 career record with the Gophers. 

However, all good things must come to an end. As difficult and challenging as that may be. Not knowing what lies ahead when you’ve had stability for over 40 years is a quarrel the athletic department will need to wrestle with in the near future; as soon as this summer, when Anderson’s current contract expires. And quite honestly, it might be time for a change. After finding success in 2018, a 44-15 record and reaching an NCAA Super Regional, with one of his best teams during his tenure, his Gophers teams’ have fallen flat since then. In the past five seasons, Anderson and the Gophers have amassed only one 20-win season with a total record of 71-134 (.346).

Looking ahead, if Anderson decides to retire after this season, or if Athletic Director Mark Coyle decides a change at the helm is needed, who could be in line to fill the mighty shoes that Anderson will have left? Here are five potential candidates who could fit the mold. 

Brian Raabe (55) – Bethel (Division III)

23’: 22-6 Total: 289-151 (.656) 12th Season

Background: Raabe might be the leading candidate right now if the hiring process were to start tomorrow — simply because of his lifelong Minnesota connection. Born and raised in Minnesota (New Ulm), Raabe is a 1990 graduate from the U of M and played four years under current head coach John Anderson. He holds numerous school records and was recently inducted into the M Club Hall of Fame in 2021. During his professional career, he spent one season with his hometown club, the Minnesota Twins. After his playing days, he moved on to coaching and has been highly successful. Raabe spent 11 years at Forest Lake building a powerhouse program in the Minnesota high school baseball scene — amassing four state tournament appearances. For the past 12 years, Raabe has been the head baseball coach for Bethel University, located in Minnesota. In that span, he has turned Bethel into a yearly title contender in the MIAC and has helped lead the program to its first conference championship including two NCAA tournament runs. 

Why: We know how much this athletic department loves its alumni. Just look at some of the other Gopher programs’ hires over the past decade. As for Raabe, I’m sure taking over the reins of his alma mater would be a dream come true. He has the success but can that translate to the higher level of competition that comes with the jump from DIII to DI? That would be the risk the athletic department would need to decipher.

Jeff Duncan (44) – Kent State

23’: 31-12 Total: 307-189 (.618) 10th Season

Background: Duncan has been the head coach of the Kent State Golden Flashes for 10 years. He found success early on making an NCAA Regional in year one. And just three years later, in 2016, Duncan had led the Flashes to one of their most successful seasons in program history — a 44-14 record accompanied by a dominant 20-4 conference record. He is a 3x MAC Coach of the Year. Kent State has reached two NCAA Regionals during his time. Before Kent State, Duncan spent time at Purdue as an assistant and also a year at Auburn. Duncan did get a chance to play one year of professional baseball in the major leagues as an outfielder for the New York Mets. He is a native of Harvey, Illinois. 

Why: With one year left on his contract, Duncan may be hoping to take the next step in his career. Although the Big 10 isn’t a powerhouse in college baseball, it is an upgrade from the MAC. He has previous connections to the conference with his four-year stint at Purdue and could be looking to come back at a higher position.  

Jordan Bischel (41) – Central Michigan

23’: 29-14 Total: 162-71 (.695) 5th Season

Background: Bischel has already worked his way up the coaching ranks and is still early in his career. He has been an assistant at three different programs —  St. Norbert College, John Carroll, and Northwest Missouri State. Bischel got his first head coaching opportunity at Midland College in Nebraska in 2013 at just 31 years old. He spent two years there reaching the NAIA tournament both years. His next stop was at Northwood College in Michigan, a program at the DII level. After four successful seasons and a .643 win percentage, he finally got the promotion to DI with Central Michigan, his current position. Bischel is in his fifth season with the Chippewas and has brought the program to new historic heights. Central Michigan has advanced to the NCAA Regionals in every season under Bischel (excluding the covid canceled year). Bischel has been awarded MAC Coach of the Year twice and won two MAC Championships. 

Why: Bischel was born in Wisconsin and has spent most of his time in the Midwest area. Last off-season, Bischel reportedly had interviewed for the vacant head coaching positions at Kansas and Michigan. It appears he would be open to hearing proposals about moving on from Central Michigan to a more prestigious program and conference. His success speaks for himself winning at every program he has touched. 

Alex Sogard (35) – Wright State

23’: 25-18 Total: 138-84 (.621) 5th Season

Background: During his playing days, Sogard was a pitcher who bounced around minor league systems and professional leagues, even playing one year with the St. Paul Saints. He got right into coaching after he hung up the cleats landing an assistant coaching position with Wright State in 2017. He spent only two years in the assistant position before he was promoted to head coach for the 2019 season. Since taking over, Wright State has flourished under Sogard and have reached back-to-back NCAA Regionals. Sogard has been named Horizon League Coach of the Year twice in four seasons. His teams have been solid on both sides of the ball — Wright State records for batting average, slugging, strikeouts, and numerous other categories. 

Why: At just 35 years young, Sogard might be a face you want to build a program around. He has shown in just a few years he can take a team to new heights without much experience. In a few years, he could be a hot commodity in the DI coaching circuit. 

Todd Interdonato (44) – Wofford

23’: 32-11 Total: 447-413-1 (.519) 16th Season

Background: Interdonato has been a steady face in the Wofford baseball program for 18 years now — two as an assistant and 16 as head coach. He worked his way through the assistant ranks for four seasons at three different programs before then. It took a while for him to revive the program — when he took over for Wofford — but they have excelled the past 6 seasons collecting a 196-99 record during that stretch. Interdonato currently ranks first in program victories as head coach. Wofford has amassed 30 wins in eight of the past nine seasons (excluding the covid shortened season). Why: The Gophers need a rebuild and Interdonato has proven he has the tools and experience to do that. This past summer, he interviewed for the Notre Dame coaching position but was not selected. Would he be willing to go through the interview process again for the Gophers? Time will only tell.