Johnson University announced this week that Damon Lessler will take over as head coach of its baseball program, bringing a decade‑and‑a‑half of collegiate experience to the role.
A New Chapter for Royals Baseball
Lessler arrives after a stint as an assistant coach at the University of Washington, a career that has taken him through nine different schools and has covered everything from player development to game planning.
He succeeds Dave Serrano, whose final season saw the Royals win 40 games and earn a berth in the NAIA World Series in 2026, a breakthrough that raised the program’s profile.
In his first public comments, Lessler said he is excited to build on that success, to make the achievements sustainable, and to become an active presence in the Knoxville community.
He also praised the university’s facilities, noting that the campus environment provides a solid foundation for recruiting and for pursuing a future national championship.