Appalachian State press release

BOONE – App State Baseball has rounded out its coaching staff with the hiring of assistant coach Ross Steedley (East Rowan), head coach Kermit Smith announced Thursday.

“We are elated to have Ross join the App State baseball family,” Smith said. “He has garnered a reputation as a relentless recruiter and a forward-thinking offensive mind. What I am most excited about is that Ross is going to make an impact in the lives of our student-athletes. App State baseball just got better.”

Steedley joins the Mountaineers after a one-year stint at Lipscomb, and prior to that, served as the head coach of Queens for three seasons, helping the Royals transition to the Division I level in 2023.

“I’m grateful and blessed for the opportunity to join the baseball staff at App State,” Steedley said. “God opened this door and I’m excited to work for Coach Smith and become a part of the Mountaineer baseball program, the App State athletics department, the University and the community of Boone.

“App State is a special place with a passionate fan base, and I’m humbled the Lord has allowed me to become a small part of what is taking place on the mountain. I’m ready to do all that I can to help the App State baseball program in the pursuit of Omaha.”

Steedley is no stranger to the region. A graduate of Charlotte, Steedley was a five-year member of the 49ers’ baseball team, helping them to an NCAA regional berth while garnering first-team All-Atlantic 10 and All-Tournament honors in 2011.

A native of Granite Quarry, N.C., Steedley went on to serve as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Pfeiffer, Gardner-Webb, Charlotte and Jacksonville, before being hired as the head coach of Queens in 2020.

Steedley has a significant track record of player development. He helped guide Gardner-Webb to back-to-back 30-win seasons, culminating with a program-record 71 home runs hit in 2017. He also helped develop Justin Kunz into a Freshman All-American in 2016. While at Queens, Steedley led the Royals to their first conference tournament appearance, while guiding the development of ASUN Scholar-Athlete of the Year and second-team all-conference performer Riley Cheek. He also guided Nick Brassington to a share of the conference home run crown in 2022.

Last season at Lipscomb, Steedley helped lead the Bisons to a win over eventual College World Series Champion Tennessee. The win over the then-third-ranked Volunteers was the second-highest ranked win in program history.

Steedley has coached 10 players who played professional baseball, five of whom were MLB draft picks, and has coached 10 hitters who have earned all-conference or all-region honors.