The Valparaiso University baseball program has announced the addition of assistant coaches Jeff Mayes and Trey Matthews, who join head coach Brian Schmack’s staff for the 2023 campaign.

“Both Jeff and Trey came highly recommended, which is always positive,” Schmack said. “Jeff is a young coach with a lot of energy who is looking to take on the challenge of Division-I baseball. Trey’s head coach had good things to say about him and didn’t want to lose him. We feel fortunate to add both Jeff and Trey at this time, and we’re looking forward to having them on staff.”

Mayes spent the last three seasons on the coaching staff at Aurora University, a Division-III institution in Illinois, where the program amassed an 83-21 record during his tenure. At Aurora, Mayes’ duties included recruiting, defense and pitch development. The Spartans were among the Top 15 in Division-III in team fielding percentage and defensive doubles plays in two of the three seasons with Mayes instructing the infielders. He will also serve as the infield coach at Valpo.

“I immediately hit it off with the other coaches from a relationship standpoint,” Mayes said. “A job like this in the Midwest and in the Missouri Valley Conference was certainly appealing. I played for and coached with Adam Stevens for eight great years, and I feel like I’m ready to take on the next challenge. I would like to thank Coach Stevens and everyone at Aurora, which has been my home since I was 18 years old. Coach Schmack has been a great resource, and I’m very excited for the opportunity.”

Prior to joining the Aurora coaching staff in fall 2019, Mayes had a standout playing career as a shortstop for the Spartans. He was tabbed the school’s 2018-2019 Male Athlete of the Year and earned CoSIDA Academic All-American honors as a senior to go along with first team all-conference recognition. He shattered the program record for career hits with 240 and batted .402 as a senior with 40 runs scored and 31 runs batted in.

Mayes also received the Richard Rickey Award given to a senior male student-athlete who exemplifies the characteristics of dedication, determination, sportsmanship and faith. He was a three-year captain and led the program to a 115-61 record and two conference tournament titles during his four-year playing career.

“I’m excited to build relationships with our players here at Valpo,” he said. “I look forward to finding out what they need and what makes them tick. I’m definitely someone who is very calculated. I trust the fundamentals, and I’m a big believer that if you can dominate the fundamentals, you can be a really good baseball player. I want to help guys become the best versions of themselves.”

Matthews grew up in Florida and played at Plant City High School before continuing his playing career at Southern Western University for three seasons. After several surgeries, he transferred to Warner University in Florida, and graduated in 2020. His coaching career began at a local high school in Florida, then he spent a year coaching at Warner before accepting a position on Valpo’s staff, where he will work with the program’s catchers.

“I love baseball and want to continue to grow,” Matthews said. “I want to learn from as many different people as possible and see where the game takes me. I knew this was a good opportunity. My goal is to care for the players – people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. If you show them how much you care, teaching them baseball becomes easy. I’m a younger coach so I hope to be able to relate to the players, and I’m big on communication. The coaching staff has been very welcoming and I’m excited to be a part of the program.”

Mayes and Matthews join a staff that also includes top assistant and hitting coach Kory Winter, who is back for his eighth season on staff and fifth in his current role. Schmack is set to begin his 10^th season at the helm and his 17^th season on the Valpo coaching staff.