John Crane, who pitched for three conference championship teams and an NCAA tournament team at Rider University, has returned to his alma mater to serve as the pitching coach, Rider head coach Barry Davis announced.
“I am excited to have John on our staff,” said Davis, the 2015 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, both as an assistant and head coach at the collegiate level.”
Crane enters his third season with the team during the 2017-18 academic year.
Crane '96 comes to Rider from Stevens Institute of Technology, where he served as head baseball coach from 2001-2011.
Crane led the Stevens Ducks to the NCAA Tournament in 2002 after winning the Knickerbocker Conference and was named the Conference Coach of the Year six times in his 11 seasons. He compiled a program-record 199 victories and was twice (2002, 2006) the New Jersey College Baseball Association Coach of the Year.
“I am excited to once again be a member of the Rider Baseball program and a part of the Rider Athletics family,” said Crane, who graduated from Rider with honors with a degree in Communication. He received his master's degree in Sport Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth in 2007. “Coach Davis gave me my first opportunity in collegiate coaching back in 1998 at Gloucester County College, and since that time he's been a great mentor and friend of mine. I'm proud to be a part of his coaching staff, and to get to suit up for the Broncs again.”
Prior to coaching at Stevens Crane served as an assistant coach at Monmouth and at Wagner. “John's coaching resume speaks for itself and I feel fortunate having him lead our pitching staff as well as assisting with our recruiting efforts,” Davis said. “Having worked with him in the past, it will make the transition a smooth one and I am excited to begin John's tenure as Rider's newest pitching coach."
Crane pitched in 53 games at Rider, 46 in relief. The lefty led the Northeast Conference in saves in 1995 and finished his collegiate career with six wins and seven saves. He was named the team's Most Improved Player in 1995.
Crane was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies organization and pitched for the Batavia Clippers of the New York-Penn League.
Prior to coming to Rider Crane compiled a 22-6 record at Kingsway Regional High School, earning third team All-State and first team All-South Jersey honors. He was inducted into the Kingsway Wall of Fame in 1996.
“Barry is one of the top coaches and teachers of the game in all of college baseball, and I am looking forward to continuing to learn from him, while doing my part to help the program in its annual pursuit of the MAAC Championship, and in continuing the proud tradition of baseball excellence at Rider,” Crane said.
At Rider Crane replaces Jaime Steward, who stepped down after seven seasons. Under Steward Rider produced three Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Pitchers of the Year, two MAAC Closers of the Year and four pitchers who went on to professional careers.
