Notre Dame Baseball

Notre Dame Baseball Hires VCU's Shawn Stiffler

By Matt Freeman

July 11, 2022

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Notre Dame baseball is in a new era following its run to the 2022 College World Series and Link Jarrett’s departure to Florida State.

Shawn Stiffler will now be tasked with leading the Fighting Irish after spending the last 11 seasons at VCU where he led the Rams to three Regionals (2015, 2021, 2022) and one Super Regional appearance (2015).

“I first want to thank Father Jenkins, Jack Swarbrick and Jody Sadler for the confidence to lead this outstanding program,” Stiffler said. “My family and I are extremely humbled and ready to get started.”

“Notre Dame is the finest university in the country.” Stiffler continued, “It challenges everyone to become the best version of themselves and I cannot wait to continue recruiting, developing and working with student-athletes with that type of mindset.”

Entering the 2022 season, VCU was one of seven programs to win 34-plus wins over the last eight years. Stiffler led the Rams to a record of 42-20, which was the highest win total during his tenure at VCU and won the Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year in 2019.

“We are excited to welcome Shawn (Stiffler) and his family to our Notre Dame community,” University Vice President and James E. Rohr Director of Athletics Jack Swarbrick said in a statement. “He’s a perfect fit to lead our nationally-respected program both on and off the field as his approach to coaching and culture mirrors that of our Institution.”

The Somerset (Pa.) native played his college ball at George Mason and then immediately jumped into the coaching profession as he was an assistant at his alma mater the year after he graduated. Five years later, Stiffler joined the VCU staff as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator.

In 2012, Stiffler was promoted to interim head coach at VCU before taking over the job full-time in 2013. 2015 was a special year for the Rams program as VCU advanced to the Super Regional before falling to Miami.

During his tenure at VCU, Stiffler helped developed 15 players who signed MLB contracts, including seven draftees. The Rams also won the Atlantic 10 three times (2017, 2019, 2021).