Baseball

Denison University Director of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation, Larry Scheiderer, has announced that Justin Dedman has been named the head baseball coach after spending the 2007-08 academic year as the interim head coach.

In 2008 Dedman guided the Big Red to a 27-18 record while capturing the program's fourth North Coast Athletic Conference west division crown.  The 27 victories were the third most in school history and the squad advanced to the NCAC Championship Series where they came within one game of advancing to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. 

"I am overwhelmed with pride and excitement to be the head baseball coach at such an amazing university," said Dedman.  "I look forward to pursuing and fulfilling the lofty goals that I have for the players in our program.  It will be great fun to lead and teach our hungry student athletes about life and baseball." 

A 2005 Denison graduate and a native of Springfield, Ill., Dedman will be entering his fourth season as a member of the Big Red coaching staff.  Before taking over as the interim head coach last fall, Dedman spent two seasons as an assistant coach.

During his playing days with the Big Red Dedman was a second-team All-NCAC selection as a senior after batting .417 with 25 runs scored and 14 RBIs. He posted a .363 career batting average in 91 total games, was a part of three NCAC division championship squads, and in 2004 Dedman saw action in 33 contests as the nationally ranked Denison team won a school-record 31 games.  In addition to his regular duties in the outfield, Dedman also saw time in both starting and relief roles within the Denison pitching staff.

"After an extensive national search we believe that Justin has all of the tools to lead the Denison baseball program to even greater heights," said Scheiderer.  "His experience as the interim head coach, along with his previous playing and coaching experience at Denison makes him a natural fit for the position."

Dedman earned a bachelor of arts in English and creative writing while minoring in Spanish.  He spent two years teaching Spanish and fitness at Welsh Hills School in Granville.  In 2006 Dedman served as the Assistant General Manager of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League's Licking County Settlers.  In the summer of 2007 he was the hitting coach of the Southern Ohio Copperheads, also of the GLSCL, and helped them to a third place finish in the league standings.

In addition to his coaching experience at Denison and the Great Lakes League, Dedman has assisted in the operation of clinics and camps at The University of Notre Dame, Fordham University, The College of William & Mary, Tufts, Pepperdine, Ohio University, University of Hartford, Miami University (Ohio) and Occidental College. 

Dedman resides in Westerville, Ohio.