ALBANY, N.Y. – The University at Albany baseball program has announced the promotion of assistant coach Jeff Kaier.  He will now act as first assistant and recruiting coordinator.  The promotion was made on November 3.

“Jeff has worked diligently to elevate our program in all aspects,” said head coach Jon Mueller.  “He has made significant progress in the recruiting cycle and re-established areas we have had success in in the past.  He has been an integral part of the great achievements our student athletes have experienced in the classroom, and has been successful in implementing new ideas to both our offense and our defense.  He is certainly deserving of this role and is one of the brightest young coaches in the country.  His work ethic, integrity and love of the University at Albany are evident in his daily approach to his occupation.”  

Kaier enters his sixth season as a member of the Great Danes' coaching staff.  Last year, Kaier worked with the position players and oversaw improvements of 12 points in batting average, 16 doubles, five home runs, 15 points in slugging percentage, 18 points in on base percentage, and 17 stolen bases over the 2015 squad.  Additionally, the fielding percentage improved from .954 to .963 from the previous year, marking the second-highest percentage in program history.  The statistical jump resulted in a nine-win improvement over 2015, as well as two wins in the conference tournament.

A Queensbury, N.Y. native, Kaier was a pitcher and outfielder for UAlbany from 2005-09.  His time as a player saw the Great Danes win their first America East title.  Kaier returned to the program in 2012 as a coach, helping the team earn the second-seed in the conference tournament, recording a program-high 16 conference victories.

The Great Danes open the 2017 season on February 25 in Virginia with a double-header against Longwood University, before visiting South Carolina for an early-season tournament hosted by defending national champion Coastal Carolina.  The first home game will be April 4, a single-header against in-state rival Marist.