LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Head Baseball Coach Jake Angier announced this week that he has appointed Connor Dailey as the Aggies' next pitching coach.
 
Dailey joins the staff after serving as the director of pitching development at Southern Illinois under Head Coach Lance Rhoades during the last three seasons. During his tenure with the Salukis compiled 97 victories and capped off the 2026 season with an appearance in the Missouri Valley Championship.
 
Across three seasons, the Salukis managed a 5.81 earned run average, including a 5.58 team ERA in 2026 to rank second among Missouri Valley Conference programs. This was highlighted by a standout season from first team All-MVC selection Andrew Evans, who submitted a 2.51 ERA to rank 20^th in the nation while recording a league-high 99 strikeouts during his redshirt junior campaign in 2026.
 
The Saluki pitching staff also ranked second in team ERA among MVC teams in 2025, holding a 5.92 average. In 2025, Southern Illinois' squad featured right-hander Sam Frizzi, who posted a league-best eight saves while maintaining a 3.00 ERA.
 
In his first season with the Salukis, Dailey helped the pitching staff post a 5.94 ERA to rank third in the conference. This was supported by Aidan Foeller posted 91 punchouts to pace the Missouri Valley.
 
In total, Dailey coached two first team All-MVC honorees and two second team all-conference selections, while four Saluki pitchers collected All-MVC honorable mention distinction.
 
Prior to SIU, Dailey served as the pitching coach at Southeastern University (NAIA), where his pitching staff helped lead the program to over 100 wins in just two seasons. This was highlighted by winning the 2022 NAIA National Championship. During his tenure, Southeastern produced the NAIA National Pitcher of the Year, the 2023 NAIA National Reliever of the Year, four All-Americans, and set the all-time NAIA single-season team strikeout record in 2023. Five pitchers from those staffs also reached the pro ranks.
 
Dailey began his collegiate coaching career at Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory, N.C., where his pitchers earned two Regional Pitcher of the Year honors. He also spent three summers as a head coach in the CPL with the Forest City Owls.
 
As a player, Dailey competed at the collegiate level at Lenoir-Rhyne University, and he is a graduate of R.S. Central High School in Rutherfordton, North Carolina. Dailey holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Lenoir Rhyne and earned his MBA from Southeastern University. Dailey comes to Las Cruces with his wife, Meredith.
 
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