Washington State Baseball named Dan Bower and assistant coach, Head Coach Nathan Choate announced July 18.
Bower arrives at WSU after working the previous three seasons at Centralia College as the associate head coach, recruiting coordinator, hitting coach and outfield coach.
“We are thrilled to add Dan Bower to our coaching staff.,” Choate said. “Dan is an extremely hard worker, bright, and very driven. We are excited to see his impact on our program.”
In his first year with the program in 2023, Bower, who also coach third base, helped lead Centralia to a 26-24 record, its highest win total since 1985 and the first winning season for the program since 2010. Bower also helped Centralia to a 30-win season the following year in 2024 before six players earned All-NWAC honors in 2025.
“It is truly an honor to be a part of such a storied program,” Bower said. “I can’t wait to represent Washington State and join the Pullman community. Coach Choate and the rest of the staff have an unparalleled passion for this program and have already made this place feel like home. Go Cougs!”
The Blazers saw a jump in nearly every offensive category in his first season as the hitting coach, including runs scored, on-base percentage, slugging, hits, walks, doubles, home runs, RBI, extra-base-hits and total bases. The Blazers hit 17 home runs in 2023, tied for second in the NWAC over the course of the regular season, after hitting only four the year prior.
Prior to coming to Centralia, Bower spent two seasons on former MLB All-Star Chris Sabo’s staff at the University of Akron. He was the team’s outfield coach, worked with the hitters, and was the Zips’ first base coach. In his second season at Akron, the Zips outfielders combined for an eye-popping 27 assists.
While at Akron 2021-22, Coach Bower helped develop outfielder Bryant Shellenbarger into a top defender and professional baseball player. After Bower’s first season with the Zips, Shellenbarger won The Northwoods League 2021 Rawlings ‘Finest in the Field’ Award, recognizing the best fielder at each position during the summer ball season. After the conclusion of Bower’s second season on the Akron staff, Shellenbarger began his professional career with the Eastside Diamond Hoppers of the United Shore Professional Baseball League.
Prior to his time in Akron, Bower was the Volunteer Assistant for Cuyahoga Community College for the2020 season, where he also led the outfielders, worked with the team’s hitters, and was the Triceratops’ first base coach. Bower discovered his passion for coaching while serving at the youth level, having previously coached for the Cleveland Whitecaps, Force Ohio, and the Cleveland Jr. RBI Program.
Bower is a Cleveland, Ohio native, graduated from Ohio University with a BBA in Finance and Business Economics in 2011 and earned his JD from the Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2014.
