Dan Taylor, Head Coach

Coach Taylor is in his eighth year as the head baseball coach at Mars Hill College. Last season the Lions finished in third place in theSAC, their highest finish ever. After taking the helm as head coach in 2002, Coach Taylor has had a successful track record in elevating the baseball program to a new level. In 2005, the baseball team finished fourth in the SAC and set a then school record for wins with 26 overall and Coach Taylor was awarded the SAC Coach of the Year, the first in school history. Then the Lions followed up that success with an even better 2006 campaign winning a school record 32 wins and the school’s first appearance in the Conference Tournament Championship Game. He is currently the winningest baseball coach in Mars Hill College history with 164 career wins at Mars Hill and 324 overall career wins. The program has also produced secen All-Region players in the last two years and 12 All-Conference players during his tenure.

Coach Taylor came to Mars Hill from Frederick Community College (FCC) in Frederick, MD, in the fall of 2002. Coach Taylor had a very impressive track record at FCC. During his six-year tenure as head coach he had an overall record of 160-77 (.675). His teams won the Region XX Championship in 1998, 2001 and 2002. Coach Taylor’s teams at FCC were nationally ranked every year under his direction. For his successful coaching endeavors Taylor has received many awards that include: Maryland Junior College Coach of the Year (1998, 2001 & 2002); Region XX Coach of the Year (1998, 2001 & 2002); American Baseball Coaches Association Regional Coach of the Year (1998, 2001 & 2002); Louisville Slugger Regional Coach of the Year (1998, 2001 & 2002); Maryland State Association of Baseball Coaches, Coach of the Year (1998); East District Coach of the Year (1998, 2001 & 2002); and NJCAA Division II Tournament Coach of the Year (2002).
Coach Taylor played collegiate baseball at FCC for two years and then transferred to USC Spartanburg (USCS). USCS changed its name to USC Upstate and made the transition from a NCAA Division II institution to a Division I institution in 2007. The school is located in Spartanburg, SC, and is a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference. Taylor was a first baseman and outfielder during his collegiate playing days. Coach Taylor graduated from USC Upstate in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Political Science. Coach Taylor was also a member of the Taneytown Cardinals (Taneytown, MD), a semi-professional team, from 1986 until 2000 where he also played first base and outfield.

Coach Taylor and his wife Jennifer have a 13 year old daughter, Monica and a seven year old son, Jason.

James Matthew “Chip” Schaffner was hired as the new Mars Hill assistant baseball coach in August of 2009, Athletic Director David Riggins announced. Schaffner replaces Aaron Rembert who left to become the new assistant baseball coach at UNC Asheville. Schaffner spent the last three seasons as the pitching coach at Radford University.

Before working at Radford, Schaffner served as the pitching coach at the University of Virginia from 2000-2003. He was also the travel and finance coordinator and BIV Camp Coordinator. In 2003, the Cavaliers pitching staff finished second in the Atlantic Coast Conference and 11th in the country in lowest earned run average.

In 1999-2000, Schaffner was the pitching coach and head recruiter at Georgetown College.  Before that, he spent seven seasons at Wright State. From 1987-90 and the 1992-94, Schaffner was the assistant baseball coach and adjunct instructor for the Raiders. He oversaw the weight training program, coached the infield, taught base running, created daily schedules, and hired umpires for games.

During his college coaching career, Schaffner has signed and coached six former and current Major League Baseball players.  The list includes Brian Anderson, Keith Gordon, Rick White, Joe Koshansky, Mark Reynolds and Ryan Zimmerman.  Schaffner has worked with over 30 current and former major league players in summer leagues and instructional camps.

Schaffner has also built an impressive resume of service with young people off the diamond. While working for Radford, he was a manager at the Peters Hall Recreational Center in 2007-2008. He was also the coordinator of the Paul O’Neil Baseball Camp from 1991-1992. Schaffner worked as an assistant school teacher at Thomas Edison School in Van Wert, Ohio, for four years (1980-1984).

In 1991 and 1992, Schaffner served as a counselor of troubled youth at the George Foster Home in Dayton, Ohio. He was also the Coordinator of the George Foster Baseball Camp for eight years (1993-2000).

In addition to community service, Schaffner has served his country in the United States Army and the National Guard. While in the Army from 1984-1986, he received the following awards of distinguishment:  an expert infantry badge, a good conduct medal, an Army achievement medal and a German expert infantry badge.

Schaffner served from 1986-1992 in the Ohio National Guard. His list of awards includes two Army achievement medals, a good conduct medal, jump wings and air assault wings. Schaffner was named Noncommissioned Officer of the Year in 1991.

Schaffner received a Bachelor of Science Business Management from the University of Phoenix in 2008.

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