KOKOMO, Ind. – Indiana University Kokomo Athletics is excited to announce the hiring of Kolin Conner as the next head baseball coach. Conner, an Indianapolis native returning to his home state, officially began in his role this morning, July 1st.
“I am humbled and grateful for this opportunity to lead the IU Kokomo baseball program,” said new IU Kokomo head coach Kolin Conner. “I want to sincerely thank Director of Athletics Heather Hayes and the entire search committee for placing their trust in me. This is an incredible opportunity both personally and professionally for me and my family, and we are ecstatic for the challenge ahead. I look forward to building on the foundation that’s been laid and helping our student-athletes succeed on and off the field!”
Conner comes to Kokomo after spending the last 10 seasons on staff at NCAA Division III institution Concordia University Chicago, including the last six seasons as head coach. Under his leadership, Conner coached both a Terry Schubert Award Winner as well as an AW Gross Award Winner, all while leading his team to the highest male team gpa on campus each of the last six seasons. The 2025 season proved to be the most successful on the diamond, with the Cougars of CUC finishing the season 26-16 overall, and 16-8 in conference play.
In his six years at the helm of the program, he saw 25 student-athletes earn All-Conference honors with seven named All-Region, including one ABCA Division III Region All-Defensive Player. He also had 72 named All-Conference Scholar Athletes, one earning Academic All-American honors, and 14 being selected as CSC Academic All-District. Prior to his time as head coach, Conner helped lead CUC to the first two Division III World Series appearances in program history, doing so while coaching a pair of All-Americans, three Conference Players of the Year, and eight All-Region honorees.
IU Kokomo Director of Athletics Heather Hayes had this to say about the hiring of Conner: “We’re thrilled to welcome Kolin to the IU Kokomo family. His passion for mentoring student-athletes, commitment to academic and athletic excellence, and his proven leadership on and off the field make him a perfect fit for our baseball program and athletic department. We’re confident he’ll build on our strong foundation and lead us to new heights.”
Kolin played collegiately at Lincoln Trail (NJCAA) before transferring to St. Joseph’s College (NCAA DII) to round out his college career. Upon graduation from Saint Joesph’s in 2013 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Studies, Conner played a season apiece for the Joliet Slammers and Evansville Otters of the Frontier League before returning to his alma mater in Rensselaer to begin his coaching career.
A Hoosier native and North Central High School graduate, Conner plans to reside in the greater Kokomo area with his wife, Lyndsey, their seven-year-old son, Leo, and four-year-old daughter, Layla.