MARION, Ind. – Indiana Wesleyan University Director of Athletics Deane Webb has named Ian Macdonald the IWU Baseball program’s tenth head coach. Macdonald has served as the Associate Head Coach, Pitching Coach, and Recruiting Coordinator for the Wildcats the last two seasons, helping lead Indiana Wesleyan to their first appearance in the NAIA Baseball World Series in 2023.

“We began this coaching search with the goal of finding a coach that would fit our mission at IWU, have experience working with collegiate athletes, and have the knowledge base to build upon the foundation already in place in our baseball program,” said Athletic Director Deane Webb. “After conducting a nationwide search, it turns out that the person God called to be our next coach was already in our building!  I’ve enjoyed watching Ian coach and lead the men in our program over the last two years as an assistant and then associate head coach, and I am looking forward to seeing him serve as our next head coach!”

In 2023 Macdonald helped the Wildcats to a 41-20-1 record, a Crossroads League Tournament title, and the program’s first trip to the NAIA Baseball World Series. The team tallied 7 Top-25 victories during the 2023 season.

The Wildcats earned five Crossroads League Pitcher of the Week awards in 2023. Sophomore Drue Young led the pitching staff, being named to the All-League First Team. The pitching staff set a program record with 500 strikeouts, led by Young’s 91. Freshmen Brock Buckley (58), Evan Fry (76), and Will Eldridge (89) also had tremendous seasons under Macdonald.

“I would like to thank our Administration and Athletic Director Deane Webb, for the opportunity to continue serving our program, department, and university in this new role. I appreciate their trust and belief in me – in addition to their ongoing commitment to the continued growth of our baseball program,” said Macdonald. “Additionally, thank you to Rich Benjamin for his support, mentorship, and investment over the past two years and all he has done to elevate the program over the past eight seasons. I believe wholeheartedly in the student-athlete experience here at IWU. It is a place where our players are challenged to grow spiritually, academically, and athletically. I believe in our players and coaching staff, and I am excited about our program’s future.”

Prior to his time at Indiana Wesleyan, Macdonald spent three seasons serving as Assistant Pitching Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at NCAA Division II University of Charleston and one season at NCAA Division III Grove City College as the Pitching Coach.