WORCESTER -- WPI Director of Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics
Dana L. Harmon has announced the hiring of
Dan Briand as the head coach of the Engineers' baseball program.
"We are excited to welcome Dan to Goat Nation, said Harmon." "He has long been a competitor of ours in the Worcester area, and his excitement about now leading our program is contagious. Coach Briand's tenure as head coach at Anna Maria demonstrated a commitment to competitive excellence while prioritizing the academic experience of his student-athletes -- hallmarks of a program he will bring to WPI. As the all-time winningest baseball coach in Anna Maria history, we look forward to his leadership as he helps our student-athletes excel in competition, in the classroom and in the community."
Briand arrives at WPI after nine seasons as the head coach at Anna Maria, where he compiled 163 victories to become the program's all-time winningest coach. Under his leadership, the AMCATS qualified for postseason play in eight of his nine seasons, with the 2020 campaign shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
During his tenure, Briand's players earned three Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Player of the Year honors, two Pitcher of the Year awards and three Rookie of the Year selections. The program also produced 16 D3Baseball.com All-Region honorees, 10 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings All-Region selections and 44 All-Conference performers. In the classroom, 74 student-athletes earned Academic All-Conference recognition.
"I want to sincerely thank WPI Director of Athletics Dana Harmon and Search Committee Chair Chris Bartley for this incredible opportunity and for placing their trust in me to lead the baseball program," said Briand. "Having grown up in the Worcester area and spent the past 20 years competing and coaching against WPI, I have tremendous respect for the institution, its outstanding academic reputation and, most importantly, the exceptional student-athletes it attracts. It is truly an honor and privilege to be named head baseball coach at WPI, and I am excited to build a competitive, championship-caliber program."
"Above all, I look forward to developing meaningful relationships with our student-athletes and enhancing their experience at WPI, both on and off the field, continued Briand"
Prior to his time at Anna Maria, Briand served as an assistant coach at Becker, Roger Williams and Fitchburg State, spending two seasons at each institution. His experience across the collegiate level has included recruiting, player development and the day-to-day work of building competitive programs.
A graduate of Becker, Briand was a four-year member of the baseball team and a two-time captain. He earned First Team All-Conference honors as a senior in 2009.
The Engineers are scheduled to open the season on February 27 at UMass Boston before heading to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for their annual spring break trip, which begins Sunday, March 7.
