BELOIT, Wis. - Beloit College Athletic Director Pat Miller and Head Baseball Coach Dave DeGeorge have announced a coaching change set to take place at the end of the 2026 season. Associate Head Coach, Ryan Kaveney, class of '16, will take over the Beloit Baseball program following the retirement of DeGeorge.
"I love Ryan Kaveney. There is no one I'd rather take over this program," said DeGeorge. "His character, work ethic and authentic nature make him special. I have been watching Beloit College athletics for a long time. I consider Ryan the most impactful athlete I have seen compete for the Buccaneers. He inspired confidence, he elicited the best his teammates had to offer and his performance was legendary. I am confident his impact as a head baseball coach will equal or exceed the impact he had as an athlete."
Dave continued to say, "Ryan has been a terrific assistant coach. From 2017 – 2019, he helped our team improve and he helped me recruit the heart of our 2023 championship team. Following his return this past fall, he has helped prepare our team for another championship run."
"I want to express my immense thanks to Dave DeGeorge for taking a chance on me first as a student-athlete, then as an assistant coach and now as the person to entrust the program that has meant so much to him," stated Kaveney. "Dave's love for this school is something that is apparent to all who have interacted with him and something that has had a tremendous impact on me for the last fifteen years. I have felt privileged to learn from someone with such drive, competitiveness, and compassion throughout my playing and coaching career."
"I am grateful to President Boynton, Dr. Schedin, and Pat Miller for their belief in me taking over the Beloit College Baseball program. To all past, present, and future Buccaneers - I promise to do my absolute best to uphold the core beliefs that have made this program truly special for so long. All the standards we have for our student-athletes, from expectations in the classroom, at practice, and on the field will be carried forward. I intend to bring my in-depth knowledge, passion, and winning-mindset to continue to build on the positive student-athlete experience for all members of the program for years to come."
Kaveney joined Beloit College in the fall of 2025. Prior to that, Kaveney spent the last four seasons at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology as an assistant coach. While there, he worked with the pitching staff. In his first season with the Fightin' Engineers, his pitchers recorded the second-most strikeouts in a season (314) in school history.
Before his time at Rose-Hulman, he spent two seasons (2020-2021) at Millikin University as the pitching coach. Over his two seasons, he helped recruit over 40 players. During the 2021 season, the Big Blue went 31-16, won their first CCIW championship, and made their first NCAA DIII Tournament appearance.
Following his graduation from Beloit College in 2016, Kaveney joined the Beloit College baseball coaching staff for the 2017, '18 and '19 seasons. He split his time coaching the infield, hitters and assisting the pitching staff while also serving as the recruiting coordinator. Over his three seasons, he helped 53 new Buccaneers find their way to Beloit College. "As an assistant coach, from 2017 to 2019, Ryan helped me recruit what would become the best team in program history," stated DeGeorge. "His fingerprints are all over our 2023 championship team. Over the past six years, Ryan has developed as a coach and recruiter. We are gaining a terrific coach who loves Beloit College, knows our system and will be ready on day one.
As a player for the Beloit College Buccaneers, Kaveney was a 4-year letter winner and starter. He earned countless team and conference awards, including First Team All-Conference in 2014, 2015 and 2016. He earned All-Central Region awards in 2014 and 2016. He was a member of the 2016 MWC North Division Championship team and the MWC Championship team. His name is still littered around the Beloit College Baseball record book. He still tops the records for strikeouts in a season (89) and innings pitched (94). He holds the career record for strikeouts with 290. This past season, he was surpassed for most innings pitched and sits second with 276.33. He is in the top five in victories, strikeouts, and ERA in a season and wins and ERA in a career. Off the field, Kaveney earned the 2015 Beloit College Record-Breaking Performance of the Year award, was the 2015 Donald "Red" Janssen Award Recipient, and a 2016 Beloit College Blanket Recipient, an annual award given to Senior Student-Athletes who are considered "the best-of-the best". A student-athlete must receive a Blanket Award to be considered for the Beloit College Athletic Hall of Honor.
"His performance leading our team to the 2016 MWC title is legendary," recalled DeGeorge. During the 2016 season, Kaveney set his records in victories and innings pitched. He will always be remembered for his historic performance during the 2016 MWC Championship tournament. Kaveney and the Bucs opened the tournament with a 5-1 victory over Grinnell. Kaveney allowed just three hits and struck out 11. He pitched a complete game and faced just 30 batters. Just a few hours later, he pitched the 10th and 11th innings against St. Norbert. In the bottom of the 11th, Kavaney came to the plate and delivered a walk-off hit to secure his second victory of the day. The next day, he recorded the final two outs to help Beloit defeat Grinnell for the second time in as many days. Over the two-day tournament, Kaveney's pitching line read: 3 appearances, 11.2 innings pitched, two wins, one save, five hits, two earned runs, 15 strikeouts, and just one walk. He also went 3-for-8 at the plate with two RBI.
