Oakland University Baseball added Mike Ruppenthal as pitching coach Friday, July 31, bringing back a familiar face to Rochester who spent the past four seasons building one of the Colonial Athletic Association's top pitching staffs at Towson University, where he was elevated from pitching coach to associate head coach.

Head coach Brian Nelson announced the hire, signaling the program's intent to sharpen its pitching development heading into the 2026-27 season.

"I couldn't be more excited about adding Coach Ruppenthal to this coaching staff," Nelson said in the university's announcement. "His passion, knowledge, and joy for this game are clearly evident in his work ethic and resume."

This isn't Ruppenthal's first stint in Rochester. He joined the Oakland staff ahead of the 2023 season under then-head coach Jordon Banfield before departing for Towson.

What he built at Towson

The numbers tell the story. In Ruppenthal's first season with the Tigers in 2023, the pitching staff set a program record with 433 strikeouts. In 2024, Towson pitchers combined for 369 strikeouts while the bullpen recorded 11 saves from six different arms. In 2025, the Tigers posted their second-lowest ERA since 2021, totaling 203 strikeouts in conference play and issuing just 110 walks, the fifth-fewest in the CAA. By 2026, the staff had lowered its team ERA for the second consecutive year and posted 404 strikeouts, the third-highest single-season total in program history.

Ruppenthal also coached Nate Nabholz to All-CAA Second Team honors in 2025.

Before Towson

Ruppenthal's resume extends well beyond the CAA. He served as pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Tyler Junior College, helping guide the Apaches to the 2021 NJCAA National Championship. That year, he earned American Baseball Coaches Association Division III National Assistant Coach of the Year honors. He also served as head coach of the Battle Creek Bombers of the Northwoods League from October 2018 through August 2021.

As a player, Ruppenthal starred at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, helping the Fire capture Sun Conference championships in 2014 and 2017 and make three NAIA National Championship tournament appearances. He finished his career ranked among the top five in program history in pitching appearances.

What it means for Oakland

The Golden Grizzlies are coming off a 2026 season that ended in the Horizon League Tournament, where they entered as the No. 5 seed. Six players earned All-League recognition, including First Team selection Kyle Revere, the most players named to a First or Second Team since 2002.

Ruppenthal moves to Rochester with his wife, Lydia, and their son, Wade. Oakland has not announced a fall practice schedule for the 2026-27 season.