Rob McCoy enters his 17th season as head coach of the Purple Eagles in 2025. He is the winningest head coach in Niagara baseball history with 299 wins entering the 2025 season.
In McCoy's time as head coach, six Purple Eagles have been selected in the MLB Draft, including Matt Brash, who is currently a relief pitcher for the Seattle Mariners. Brash, who was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2019, is the first NU player to be active on an MLB roster since the 1950's.
| NAME |
DRAFT YEAR |
ROUND, PICK |
DRAFT TEAM |
| Wynton Bernard |
2012 |
35th, 1,065 |
San Diego Padres |
| Jordan Schwartz |
2014 |
4th, 132 |
Oakland Athletics |
| Daniel Procopio |
2017 |
10th, 295 |
Los Angeles Angels |
| Tanner Kirwer |
2017 |
20th, 609 |
Toronto Blue Jays |
| Greg Cullen |
2018 |
15th, 442 |
Atlanta Braves |
| Matt Brash |
2019 |
4th, 113 |
San Diego Padres |
2024 was a historic season for the Purple Eagles as McCoy lead the Purple Eagles to 38 wins, a share of the MAAC Regular Season Championship, a MAAC Championship, and an NCAA Tournament birth. Niagara opened the season opened the season with a four game sweep of Richmond, the Purple Eagles finished non-conference play with a 15-11 record while recording wins over James Madison and Michigan State. The Purple Eagles also picked up non-conference series wins against Delaware State and Towson. Niagara finished the season with a perfect 6-0 record against Little Three rivals Canisius and St. Bonaventure, Niagara defeated Canisius three times in MAAC play and once in a non-conference game while defeating the Bonnies twice in midweek non-conference games. Niagara went 20-4 in MAAC play which is a program record. Since 2014, only five teams in MAAC history have recorded 20 or more wins in MAAC play, two of those teams came in 2021 when the MAAC played 34 conference games compared to 24 in 2024. Niagara won seven of eight MAAC series' in 2024 while picking up five MAAC sweeps. Niagara swept Canisius to end the regular season and earn a share of the MAAC Regular Season Championship. The Purple Eagles earned the second seed in the MAAC Championship and had a first day bye. Niagara defeated No. 3 seed Rider in its first game of the tournament before advancing the MAAC Championship Series with a win over No. 4 Mount St. Mary's in the final non-elimination game. In the first game of the championship series, Niagara defeated No. 1 Fairfield 10-6 to earn its first MAAC Championship. The Purple Eagles took on No. 11 Oklahoma State in its first NCAA Tournament game in program history, despite 12 hits, Niagara fell to the Cowboys. In its second game of the regional Niagara took an early 4-0 lead over No. 25 Nebraska but fell 7-5 to the Cornhuskers. Following the MAAC regular season, Niagara earned three major awards while six Purple Eagles were named to the All MAAC Team. McCoy became the first Niagara head coach to win MAAC Coach of the Year since 2003. Zach Cameron was named MAAC Relief Pitcher of the Year, he is the first Purple Eagle to earned the award. Eric Rataczak was named MAAC Player of the Year, he was the first Purple Eagle to earn the honor since 2018. Nick Groves, Ryan Minckler, Nick Monile, Rees Kozar, Cameron, and Rataczak all earned All-MAAC honors. As a team Niagara hit .305 which lead the MAAC, the Niagara pitching staff held opposing hitters to a .264 batting average which was the best in the MAAC. Niagara's team ERA was 5.64 which was the third best in the MAAC. Rataczak rewrote the Niagara record book as he set single season record in home runs, RBI, runs scored, and hits.
In 2023 the Purple Eagles opened the season on the road for 22 straight games which included non-conference trips to Norfolk State, George Mason, Portland, and Oregon. Niagara took two wins from Norfolk State, two from George Mason who later made the NCAA Tournament, one from Portland, and upset future PAC-12 Champion Oregon in a single game. The win over Oregon marked the first time in program history that Niagara had beaten a team from the PAC-12. Niagara finished the regular season with a 10-10-1 record in non-conference play. The Purple Eagles opened MAAC play with a sweep of Saint Peter's. Niagara went on to finished MAAC play with a 14-10 record and earn the fifth seed in the MAAC Tournament. It was the highest finish in the MAAC since the 2009 season when they finished tied for fifth at 13-11. The Purple Eagles finished the regular season with a record of 24-20-1, it was the first time they finished over .500 in a full season since the 2006 season. Four Purple Eagles were named All-MAAC as Max Giordano was named to the first team, Marcus Cashman was named to the second team, and Nick Groves and Gavin Schrader were each named to the MAAC All-Rookie Team. It was a record breaking season for three Purple Eagles as they set new program records. Against Manhattan on April 16th, Zach Cameron earned his 12th career save that set a new program record, he finished the season with nine saves which was second most in a single season for Niagara. Max Giordano hit 16 home runs during the season which set a new single season record, he finished with 27 career homers which is second all-time. Nick Groves broke Greg Cullen's single season walk record of 38 on April 19th to become the program leader, he went on to walk 57 times as a freshman which set a new MAAC record and led all freshman in the NCAA.
After a challenging start to the 2022 season, the Purple Eagles went on a five-game winning streak to close out the regular season, sweeping Quinnipiac in the final weekend to clinch the No. 6 seed in the MAAC Championships. It was the third time in five seasons the Purple Eagles clinched a spot in the postseason. While at the tournament, Niagara made MAAC history, becoming the first No. 6 seed ever to win three tournament games and advance to the final game in the elimination bracket. After falling to No. 3 Canisius in their opening game of the tournament, the Purple Eagles defeated No. 4 Monmouth, 9-5, to advance in the elimination bracket and win a tournament game for the first time since 2006. After falling behind 4-0, Niagara came from behind to defeat No. 2 Marist, 7-4, eliminating the Red Foxes from the MAAC Championships. Niagara's most electric game of the tournament came against the No. 1 Fairfield Stags. The Purple Eagles overcame an eight-run deficit, a six-run deficit and a four-hour weather delay to defeat the Stags, 19-14, in 10 innings and eliminate them from the postseason. Niagara fell to No. 5 Rider, 11-8, in the final elimination bracket game after a 19-hour weather delay.
Dawson Bailey and Matt Ward were both named to the All-Tournament Team following their performances in the MAAC Championships. Marcus Cashman earned All-MAAC Second Team honors and 16 Purple Eagles earned MAAC All-Academic Team recognition. Center fielder Dawson Bailey and pitcher Tyler Prospero both signed with the MLB Draft League following the 2022 season.
The Purple Eagles played a conference-only schedule in 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Niagara went 17-17 overall with a 17-15 conference record. The team qualified for the MAAC Championships for the second time in three seasons, but ultimately fell to Rider in the first round. Cole Tucker was named to the All-MAAC Second Team and Marcus Cashman was named to the All-Rookie Team at the conclusion of the regular season and a program record 26 Purple Eagles qualified for the MAAC All-Academic Team.
Prior to the cancellation of the 2020 season due to COVID-19, the Purple Eagles were on track for a stellar season. The team opened up the season with a 3-1 upset victory over nationally-ranked Florida State on Feb. 14. It was Niagara's first all-time win against the Seminoles and second win over a ranked opponent in the last four seasons. The Purple Eagles went 6-10 in their shortened season, also earning wins against North Carolina Central, Cornell and Boise State. Niagara landed 14 student-athletes on the MAAC All-Academic Team and senior first baseman Peter Battaglia earned 2020 CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team honors.
In 2019, the Purple Eagles went 15-33 overall and 9-15 in MAAC play, behind a young squad that continued to develop and step into bigger roles as the season went on. McCoy became the winningest coach in Niagara baseball history after the Purple Eagles defeated crosstown rival Canisius in a 6-5 walk-off victory at Sal Maglie Stadium on April 30, 2019. Matthew Brash was named the MAAC Pitcher of the Year, as well as to the All-MAAC First Team, the ABCA/Rawlings All-Region Second Team and the 2019 Google Cloud Academic All-District First Team. Brash broke the MAAC and NU single season strikeouts record with 121. He was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the fourth round of the 2019 MLB Draft, becoming the second-highest drafted player in NU baseball history. Freshman Max Giordano was named to the MAAC All-Rookie Team and 12 Purple Eagles were named to the MAAC All-Academic Team.
The Purple Eagles finished the 2018 season 24-27, tying for the sixth-most wins in program history. After defeating Manhattan in two out of three games to close out the regular season. Niagara qualified for the MAAC Championships for the first time since 2006. Shortstop Greg Cullen, who led the nation in hitting and had the second-best on-base percentage, was named MAAC Player of the Year and was named to the All-MAAC First Team. He landed on four All-America Teams (Collegiate Baseball All-America Second Team, NCBWA All-America Second Team, ABCA/Rawlings All-America First Team, College Sports Madness All-America Fourth Team) and was named the NCBWA District 2 Player of the Year. Outfielder Trevor McCauley and third-baseman Owen Dziados were both selected to the All-MAAC Second Team. Cullen was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 15th round of the 2018 MLB Draft and left-handed pitcher Cody Eckerson signed a free agent deal with the Los Angeles Angels.
In 2017, McCoy led the Purple Eagles to the sixth-best overall record in program history, 24-24, and to a 12-12 MAAC record. Under McCoy's leadership, Niagara defeated No. 12 Virginia, 8-5, on March 4. The Cavaliers are the highest-ranked opponent the Purple Eagles have ever defeated. In addition to team success, McCoy helped many players achieve individual successes. Four players were named to MAAC All-Conference teams and Matthew Brash was named the MAAC Baseball Rookie of the year and was also Niagara's first ever Freshman All-American selection. Two players (Daniel Procopio and Tanner Kiirwer) were selected in the MLB Draft, the first time multiple Purple Eagles have been selected in the draft since 2005.
In 2016, Niagara finished 16-37-1 overall and had a 11-13 conference record. Tanner Kirwer was selected to the All-MAAC Second Team.
In 2015, Niagara finished with a 13-32-2 overall record and an 8-16 conference record. Tanner Kirwer, Thomas Rodrigues and Michael Fuhrman were named to the All-MAAC Second Team.
The Purple Eagles turned in a 20-31 record in 2014 for the most wins since the 2009 season. On May 18, McCoy earned his 100th win as head coach of Niagara with the team's 7-2 victory over NJIT. Niagara went 3-1 against North Carolina Central that included a 22-2 win on February 23. The team closed out their season with a four-game win streak. Anthony Firenzi, Taylor Hackett and Jordan Schwartz were all selected to the All-MAAC Second Team. McCoy coached Jordan Schwartz for three years leading up to him being drafted in the fourth round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Oakland Athletics.
The 2013 season saw NU finish with a 16-38 record. Niagara topped Pittsburgh, which would go on to be nationally ranked, 7-5 in last season’s Panther Classic. Niagara also put together an impressive streak from late March into mid-April which saw it go 8-3 in an 11-game span. That stretch included a five-game winning streak that included a 7-0 shutout of the Manhattan Jaspers on March 30. The team took 2-of-3 games against Iona and Saint Peter’s during the run. Ryan McCauley, Christian Vangeison and Jordan Schwartz were all named to the All-MAAC Second Team.
The 2012 season was a big year for the Purple Eagles as they led the MAAC in three offensive categories: batting average (.290), home runs (30), and slugging percentage (.413). That season was the first time the McCoy-led Purple Eagles defeated big four-rival University at Buffalo as the team went 4-0 against the Bulls, sweeping both doubleheaders by a combined score of 30-15.The Purple Eagles led the MAAC in three offensive categories in 2012: batting average (.290), home runs (30) and slugging percentage (.413) and finished the season with a record of 19-29.
The 2012 squad had three players (seniors Eric Hink and Wynton Bernard, as well as junior Ryan McCauley) named to the All-MAAC first-team while Joel Klock was named to the All-MAAC second-team. McCauley was also named to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) First Team All-Region squad, the first time in six seasons that a Purple Eagle has earned that honor. Bernard was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the MLB draft. The centerfielder was the second Purple Eagle drafted to the MLB in the last six years as he joins Jeff Vincent who was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2006. Niagara found more success in the classroom as they led the MAAC for the third consecutive year in All-Academic honorees, placing ten players on the All-Academic team.
The 2011 season was a rebuilding year for the Purple Eagles. Niagara battled youth, inexperience, and a tough out-of-conference schedule that led to an 8-40 overall record. The youthful Purple Eagles were able to pick up quality wins over Virginia Tech, George Mason, and handed Manhattan their first loss in 17 conference games. Senior Brian Deering
, was named to the All-MAAC
second-team as a utility player and, for the second consecutive season, the Purple Eagles had the most student-athletes named to the MAAC
All-Academic team.During the 2010 season, McCoy led the Purple Eagles to a 17-36 overall record, including a sweep of St. Bonaventure. NU's 13-11 conference record led to their second consecutive conference winning seasons. That season, Niagara had a conference-high nine student-athletes named to the MAAC
All-Academic Team.
During the 2010 season, McCoy led the Purple Eagles to a 17-36 overall record, including a sweep of St. Bonaventure. NU's 13-11 conference record led to their second consecutive conference winning seasons. That season, Niagara had a conference-high nine student-athletes named to the MAAC All-Academic Team.
For the 2009 season, McCoy served as interim head coach and led the Purple Eagles to a 13-11 conference record that was good for a tie for fourth place in the MAAC and the best conference record for Niagara since 2006.
In that 2009 season Niagara, under McCoy's tutelage, eight student-athletes landed on the MAAC All-Academic Team, Michael Kellar earn First-Team All-MAAC honors, and Matt Wietlispach earn Second-Team honors. Niagara finished the season ranked fourth in the conference in batting average and earned-run average in MAAC contests.
Under the guidance of McCoy, 2008 graduate Tim Alberts became the program’s all-time leading hitter with a .360 career average. McCoy served as the assistant coach from 2006-2008, working closely with the team’s hitters and infielders. In 2008, under McCoy’s guidance, the Purple Eagles ranked fourth in the MAAC in batting and fielding.
In addition to his work with the offense, McCoy helped the Purple Eagles sign a nationally diverse recruiting class made up of players from California, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Virginia, Ohio, and New York.
McCoy arrived at Niagara following a stint as a volunteer assistant coach at James Madison. He played a key part in helping the Dukes lead the Colonial Athletic Association with a .324 team batting average, which ranked them 13th in Division I. James Madison set an all-time school record with 101 home runs to place second among all NCAA Division I programs, while it was second in the nation in doubles per game (2.53 average) and slugging percentage (.549).
Before his time with James Madison, McCoy gained some coaching experience with Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, S.D., Charlottesville (Va.) High School, and several baseball camps across the country.
As a student-athlete, McCoy played for Dakota Wesleyan, where he was the captain of the Tigers’ 2002 Great Plains Athletic Conference championship team and a 2001 NAIA Academic All-American Scholar Athlete. McCoy graduated from Dakota Wesleyan with Bachelor of Arts degrees in sports medicine (with an emphasis in fitness and performance) and in psychology. In August 2006, he completed a Master of Education in sport and exercise psychology at the University of Virginia.
McCoy lives in Amherst, N.Y. with his wife, Burgundy, his stepson, Bryce, and his daughter, Blake.
