Staff Directory

Daniel Schlereth

Title:
Director of Operations, Technology, and Pitching Development

Daniel Schlereth joined the Spartan staff as director of operations, technology, and pitching development in August of 2026.

Schlereth, who is a former first-round pick and Major League pitcher, comes to MSU after two seasons as pitching coach at USF.

“I am incredibly grateful to Coach Jake Boss and Coach Mark Van Ameyde for the opportunity to contribute to the Spartan Baseball program,” Schlereth said. “Coach Boss was actually the first person I reached out to when I began my journey into college coaching, which makes the opportunity to now join his talented staff especially meaningful.”

Schlereth returns to the state of Michigan, where he played with the Detroit Tigers, and coached at Western Michigan.

“I’m excited to return to the state of Michigan, a place where my family and I have created so many great memories. From my time playing for the Detroit Tigers to coaching with the Western Michigan Broncos, Michigan has played an important role in both my baseball career and my family’s life,” Schlereth said. “Michigan is a special place with some of the most passionate professional and collegiate fan bases in the country, and I’m thrilled to now have the opportunity to be part of the Spartan Baseball program.

“I’m excited to get to work, build relationships with the players, contribute to their development, learn from an outstanding coaching staff, and do everything I can to help continue building on the tradition of Michigan State Baseball.”

Schlereth-coached pitching staffs have improved dramatically under his guidance at both USF and WMU.

“We’re very excited that Danny is able to join our staff,” Boss said. “He has a wealth of experience from his Big League career and then also at the collegiate level both at Western Michigan and USF, so he will bring invaluable experience to our team and another perspective that will help our guys on every aspect of baseball.”

In two seasons at USF, the Bulls were 63-43 with Schlereth on staff, going 32-21 in 2026, after USF went 31-25 and reached the American Conference Tournament semifinals in 2025.

Under Schlereth’s tutelege, two USF pitchers were selected in the MLB Draft, with Edwin Alicea being drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 14th round, while Ethan Sutton was selected in the 16th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Alicea was USF primary Friday starter, making 10 starts in 19 appearances, leading the USF staff with 60 strikeouts, posting a 6-5 record with a 5.23 ERA in 72.1 innings pitched. Sutton was USF’s most relied upon reliever, leading the team with both nine saves and 20 appearances, being tabbed to the NCBWA Midseason Stopper of the Year Watch list.

Schlereth’s joining the MSU staff is a return to the state of Michigan, as prior to his two seasons at USF, Schlereth was pitching coach at Western Michigan for two seasons. WMU won the 2024 MAC Tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Regional Tournament, finishing with a 32-22 record in 2024, the Broncos’ most wins since 1993. Under Schlereth, the WMU pitching staff fired not just one, but two shutouts in the MAC Tournament, chalking up 30 strikeouts against just three walks, logging a 1.00 ERA on only three earned runs in 27.0 IP in the tournament.

With Schlereth’s mentoring, the 2024 Bronco pitching staff fired seven shutout, which ranked tied for second in the NCAA, and also broke WMU’s program record for single-season strikeouts with 444. Western Michigan also led the MAC in fewest walks allowed (99) and fewest hits allowed (254).

Schlereth mentored Nolan Vicek to second-team All-MAC accolades in 2024 after coaching Brady Miller to All-MAC honors in 2023. In the two seasons under Schlereth’s guidance, WMU’s team ERA dropped by over three full runs, and the Broncos led the MAC in 2024 with a 4.85 ERA in conference-only games.

Prior to beginning his coaching career, Schlereth worked in the player development and pro scouting department for the Pittsburgh Pirates for one season, and was manager for the Joliet Slammers of the Frontier League.

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 posted a 3.98 ERA in 74.2 IP in a total of 73 appearances. He helped the Tigers win back-to-back American League Central Division titles in 2011 and 2012, advancing to the 2011 ALCS and the 2012 World Series.

Schlereth was in professional baseball for over 13 seasons, with 10 different MLB organization, including three different stints with the Tigers. He made his major league debut in a relief appearance against the Atlanta Braves on May 29, 2009, throwing a perfect inning.

He was at the Major League level for a total of four seasons with Detroit and Arizona, with a total of 94 appearances, logging a 4.35 ERA with 91 strikeouts in 93.0 innings pitched. In the Minor Leagues, Schlereth saw action in 214 games, posting a 2.80 ERA with 262 Ks over 234.1 IP.

After starting his collegiate career at UNLV for one season, Schlereth transferred to Arizona, where he pitched for three seasons. He was a two-time All Pac-10 recipient with the Wildcats and earned Collegiate Baseball All-American accolades in 2008.

Schlereth and his wife, Bree, who was a collegiate gymnast at Arizona, have three children, Quinn, Drew and Zane. His father, Mark, played in the NFL for 12 seasons with Washington and Denver, won three Super Bowls, two with the Broncos and one with the current Commanders, and was also named to the Pro Bowl twice. Mark is currently a football analyst for Fox Sports.