JOLIET — The Joliet Slammers recently announced the hiring of Dave Garcia and Eric Coleman to manager Mike Breyman’s staff.
“I’ve worked with Dave for two years at River City and he was a no-doubter to have on my staff,” Breyman said. “He complements me very well and he’s going to work his butt off for the Slammers. I’ve known Eric since 2008 and I actually played against him in when I was still playing for Gateway. We get along very well, and being a first-year manager, it’s very helpful for me to have someone like Eric who has managerial experience on the staff.”
Garcia, a Northern Illinois University alum, joins the Slammers as the team’s new hitting coach. He spent the past four seasons with the River City Rascals and was the bench coach for the 2010 team that won the Frontier League championship. Garcia worked alongside Breyman on the Rascals’ coaching staff in 2010 and 2011.
In 2011, the Rascals tied the Frontier League record for wins (68) during the regular season before falling to the Slammers in the Frontier League Championship Series. Six of the players Garcia has coached have been signed to affiliated baseball.
“I am very excited to join the Joliet Slammers staff,” Garcia said. “With the chance to work for Chris (Franklin) and Mike again, I knew it would be a great opportunity for me and my family. Joliet has a rich baseball tradition that I am honored to say I am a part of now. I know that Mike, Eric and I will do everything that we can to make 2013 a successful one for Joliet.”
Coleman, the Slammers' new pitching coach, brings managerial experience in the Frontier League to the Slammers. For three seasons (2008-2010) he held the role of field manager and director of player development for the Midwest Sliders/Oakland County Cruisers. Prior to coming to the Frontier League, Coleman was the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator for Niagara University. He spent 11 years holding similar roles at the junior college level.
Eighteen of the players Coleman has coached have advanced to the Major Leagues, and over 100 players he’s coached have gone on to some level of professional baseball.
“I want to thank Josh (Schaub), Chris and Mike for this opportunity,” Coleman said. “I am excited to re-join the Frontier League and I feel like there’s some unfinished business as I was one win away from the playoffs in 2010 with Oakland County. I’ve heard great things about Joliet and I can’t wait to get to work to help bring this city another championship.”
