Daniel Schlereth, a former first-round pick and Major League pitcher, was named pitching coach in June 2024.
Schlereth joined the Bulls after two seasons as the pitching coach at Western Michigan University following his 13-year career in professional baseball.
The Western Michigan Broncos won the 2024 MAC tournament championship and advanced to the NCAA Regional. WMU posted a 32-22 record in 2024 for the program’s most wins since 1993. Schlereth’s pitching staff tossed a pair of shutouts during the MAC tournament, posted a 1.00 ERA (3 ER/27.0 IP) and recorded 30 strikeouts while issuing just three walks.
The Broncos tossed seven shutouts during the 2024 season (t-2nd in NCAA) en route to breaking the all-time WMU strikeout record for a single season (444). Western Michigan ranked 40th in the NCAA in walks allowed per nine innings (3.88) and 66th in strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.14). The Broncos lead the MAC in walks allowed (99) and fewest hits allowed (254).
Right-handed pitcher Nolan Vlcek was named Second Team All-Conference in 2024. Schlereth also coached Brady Miller to All-Conference honors in 2023.
Western Michigan’s team ERA dropped by over three full runs in Schlereth’s two seasons and the Broncos posted a MAC-leading 4.85 ERA in 2024 during conference play.
Before beginning his coaching career, Schlereth spent a season working in the player development and pro scouting department for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Schlereth was selected in the first round (26th overall) of the 2008 MLB Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks after a standout collegiate career at the University of Arizona. Schlereth reached the Majors quickly, making his debut for the Diamondbacks in May of 2009. The southpaw made 21 appearances for Arizona in 2009 before he was traded, along with Max Scherzer, to the Detroit Tigers in the offseason.
In three seasons with Detroit, Schlereth made a total of 73 appearances and posted a 3.98 ERA in 74.2 innings. During his time, the Tigers won back-to-back AL Central Division titles in 2011 and 2012. Schlereth helped the Tigers reach the 2011 ALCS and the 2012 World Series.
Over 13 professional seasons on the mound, Schlereth played for 10 different Major League organizations, including three stints with the Tigers. In four seasons at the Major League level with Detroit and Arizona, the lefty pitched in a total of 94 games and posted a 4.35 ERA with 91 strikeouts in 93.0 innings. In the Minor Leagues, Schlereth pitched in 214 games and owned a 2.80 ERA with 262 strikeouts over 234.1 innings.
Schlereth first attended UNLV before transferring to Arizona. He was a two-time All Pac-10 recipient in his three seasons and named a 2008 All-American.
Schlereth and his wife, Bree, have three children, Quinn, Drew and Zane. His father, Mark, played in the NFL for 12 seasons, won three Super Bowls and was named to the Pro Bowl twice.
