Brad Baker Named Head Baseball Coach at Gustavus Adolphus College

ST. PETER, Minn. – Brad Baker, a native of St. Peter, Minnesota, has been named the head baseball coach at Gustavus Adolphus College. A 1980 graduate of Gustavus, Baker previously served as the program’s head coach during the 1981 season and directed the Gusties to a 16-10 record overall, including a 10-6 league mark.

Baker, currently CEO of Craig-Hallum Capital Group, LLC in Minneapolis, succeeds Mike Carroll, who announced he was stepping down after 19 years as the Gusties’ head coach to focus on his duties as the Gustavus head women’s hockey coach and Don Roberts Ice Rink manager.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to return to Gustavus and have the opportunity to coach the baseball team again,” stated Baker. When I reflect on everything Gustavus has given me—a phenomenal education and a chance to compete athletically at a very high level —I am honored to be able to offer that same experience to young men at a very pivotal time in their life and at an institution that values the student-athlete experience.”

A member of the Gustavus Athletics Hall of Fame for his athletic accomplishments in football and baseball during the late ’70s and early ’80s, Baker was a four-year starter for both squads. In baseball, he earned all-conference honors as a pitcher in 1978, a second baseman in 1979, and a shortstop in 1980. He started 107 of 110 games in his career, compiling a .311 batting average and a record of 16-3 on the mound with a 3.02 earned run average. The Gusties won three MIAC titles during Baker’s career and advanced to NAIA post-season play each time. After graduating cum laude with a degree in business, Baker was drafted by the Minnesota Twins and played one year at the Class A level before beginning a 30-year career in investment banking in the Twin Cities. He has remained involved in baseball serving as a youth coach in Edina.

When asked what his hopes were for the future of the program, Baker commented, “We will be looking to attract the best and brightest young baseball players from the region to come to Gustavus to get a great education, while at the same time playing the game of baseball the right way and having fun. We will compete aggressively, execute the fundamentals of the game precisely, and represent the College in a positive and classy manner. If we do that the way I envision it, the rest will take care of itself.”

Gustavus Athletics Director Tom Brown is excited that Baker has accepted the offer to return to his alma mater and direct the baseball program. “I am thrilled to have Brad back as our head baseball coach,” noted Brown. “He is well aware of the history of Gustavus baseball and has a strong understanding of Division III athletics. He has achieved excellence at every level of his professional career and I expect that pattern to continue as he develops the Gustie baseball program.”

Baker becomes the 25th head coach in the 87-year history of Gustavus baseball. The Gusties have won 13 conference titles, while compiling an all-time program mark of 970–1008 overall and 620–605 in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play.