Kassidy Gaines has been appointed as an assistant coach for the St. Cloud State Baseball team for the 2026‑27 season, bringing a decade of Division‑II experience to the program.
He arrives after a three‑year stint as head coach at Salem University, where he compiled a 93‑62 record and guided the Tigers to the 2025 USCAA Small College World Series championship.
During that time, seven of his players earned all‑region recognition and the pitching staff climbed into the national statistical rankings, underscoring his reputation as a developer of arms.
A Return to Familiar Ground
Gaines previously served as a graduate assistant at St. Cloud State from 2019‑20, a period in which the Huskies’ pitching staff ranked among the top five in the NSIC across several categories.
Before that, he honed his craft as a pitching coach at Bemidji State University, and earlier in his career he played professionally for the Utica Unicorns, Lincoln Saltdogs and Florence Freedom.
A native of Twin Falls, Idaho, he competed collegiately at Grays Harbor College and Northern State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Northern State and a master’s in educational administration from St. Cloud State.
What This Means for the Program
His deep connections to the region, including roots in Idaho and formative experiences at Northern State and Grays Harbor College, position him to recruit talent from the inland Northwest while reinforcing the Huskies’ competitive edge.
Head coach Pat Dolan welcomed the addition, citing Gaines’s proven ability to elevate pitchers and his commitment to academic excellence.
The new staff also includes longtime colleagues such as Dr. Tomso, Holly Schreiner, Mackenzie Wainwright, Dominic Austing and Matt Osterberg, who will collectively shape the team’s strategy.
Fans can expect a blend of seasoned insight and fresh perspective as the program looks to build on its recent successes.