A Strategic Boost for Iowa Baseball
The University of Iowa baseball program revealed two new additions to its coaching roster, naming Matt Gabriel as assistant athletic performance coach and Blaine Harpenau as director of pitching development.
Gabriel, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, will oversee athletic performance and strength training for both the baseball team and the swimming and diving program. His career includes roles with the Los Angeles Angels and several universities, where he honed his expertise in Olympic weightlifting, functional mobility, and joint health.
Harpenau arrives from Concordia University, Nebraska, where he led the team to an NAIA national tournament appearance. A former collegiate pitcher with a 3.98 ERA at Arkansas State and over 500 strikeouts in high school, he brings a proven track record in pitching development.
Both hires underscore the Hawkeyes' commitment to integrating performance science and pitching innovation, aiming to elevate competitiveness in the Big Ten conference and beyond.
Gabriel holds a bachelor's degree in exercise science from Bowling Green State University and a master's in sport coaching education from the University of Southern Mississippi. Harpenau earned a university studies degree from Southern Illinois University in 2025, completing a path that began in Remsen, Iowa.