Head coach Dean Peterson will be entering his third season at the helm of the Golden Eagle’s staff.
2025 saw the Golden Eagles capture an 8th consecutive MEC South title while five members of the squad were named to the All Conference team. In Peterson’s first year at UC, the team set a program record for wins, captured the Mountain East Conference Championship, and had nine players earn all conference honors while JD Armstrong and Casey Finck were named to the All Region team.
Prior to coming to Charleston, Peterson worked with the baseball program at Frostburg State University. He spent three seasons at FSU, where he served as an assistant coach and pitching coordinator. In his role, Peterson worked with the pitching staff, coordinating their yearly throwing and development plans along with developing a leadership curriculum for his athletes. Coach Peterson implemented new strategies to improve the mental game of the Bobcat players, adding yoga and somatic movement to their routine. In the 2023 season, Peterson led three athletes to All-Region recognition, two of whom were key members of the Frostburg pitching staff, and Jack Maruskin who went on to sign with the Baltimore Orioles. Maruskin, a former two-way player for the Bobcats, focused on pitching under Peterson, and credits him for helping him reach the professional level. The Bobcats pitching staff as a whole finished 9th in the D2 ranking in strikeouts per nine innings in their 2023 season.
Peterson came to Frostburg after serving as Assistant Coach and Pitching Coordinator at his alma mater, Allegheny College in Meadville, PA. He had previously coached at Allegheny following his professional playing career, from 1999-2001, while finishing his degree in political science. He helped lead the 2000 Allegheny College baseball team to one of the most successful seasons in the program's long and storied history. The Gators finished with a 38-10 record, and remain the only Allegheny team to advance to the NCAA Division III World Series, where they finished third after being edged in the semifinals by eventual national champ Montclair State. The Gators had three pitchers with at least seven wins and eight of their pitchers carried an ERA of 4.60 or lower. Nine Gators were named All-North Coast Athletic Conference, including four First Teamers, highlighted by NCAC Pitcher of the Year Jeff Mountain. Mountain was one of five Gators who went on to earn All-Region Honors, and Mountain and Brad Hensler were subsequently named All-Americans. Pitcher Josh Sharpless went on to sign with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2003. In 2006, the right-hander made his debut with the ball club, posting a 1.50 ERA in 14 appearances out of the bullpen.
After finishing his degree, Peterson set sail on a new career path in 2002 and became an officer and technician with the United States Secret Service, where he served for eleven years. Peterson provided protection for the President, Vice President, and Foreign Dignitaries, along with conducting investigations of criminal activity.
While in the Secret Service, Peterson returned to school and obtained a master of divinity degree in pastoral counseling from Liberty University. After he left the Secret Service, Peterson spent three years as a vocational pastor, providing counseling and teaching, training and hiring staff, and providing leadership to small group leaders in the church. He was also the chaplain for the Hagerstown Suns, a minor league affiliate of the Washington Nationals, from 2013-2019, providing support, encouragement and weekly chapel services for the players and umpires. Peterson also returned to coaching during this time, working with the Smithsburg Baseball Club, Smithsburg High School, and Messiah College.
Peterson began his baseball journey as a student-athlete at Allegheny College as a pitcher for the Gators. Even though he was only there for three seasons, he concluded his shortened college career as one of the most dominant closers in NCAA Division III history. He finished with 26 career saves, which were the second most in D-III lore at the time, and still stands as a school record. In consecutive seasons, 1992-93, he led the nation in saves, posting nine in 1992 before turning in a school and then-NCAA record 12 saves in 1993. His 1993 season saves record (12) still stands at the college, as well as his single season ERA (0.96) and career ERA (2.21). His performance his junior season was enough to draw the interest of professional scouts, as the Boston Red Sox drafted him in the ninth round (247th overall) of the 1993 Major League Baseball draft following his junior campaign.
He spent five seasons in the Red Sox organization, where he competed with and against many future MLB players. Peterson finished his career with a 4.26 ERA across all levels. He struck out 308 batters in his 435.2 innings pitched in his five seasons played. He posted a career professional record of 24-28 with 11 saves and a 4.26 ERA.
Originally from Cortland, OH, Peterson graduated from Matthews High School in 1990. He grew up loving time on his great-grandparents’ farm, and of course playing baseball. He has been married to the love of his life for 25 years, who has been a constant source of love and support to him. They have 3 amazing sons. He considers his faith and his family as the most important part of his long resume and exciting life path.
