TAHLEQUAH, Okla. --- Travis Janssen became head baseball coach at Northeastern State University on July 1, 2011.

Janssen, an assistant at Jacksonville (Ala.) State from 2006-2011, replaced Sergio Espinal who resigned in May after 11 seasons.

"I have dreamed of being a head coach for a long time, and I would like to thank Mr. Duckworth and Northeastern State for making that dream come true," said Janssen. " My family and I can’t wait to get to Oklahoma and begin closely working with the NSU and Tahlequah community.

" We are going to work very hard to continue to build a program that people will be proud of.  We are looking to recruit quality people that will have good character that act in a productive way off of the field.  On the field we are going to build a team that will play with passion, energy, and play extremely hard.  We will be aggressive in all facets of the game, and will be a team that gets after it, and gets dirty.  It will be a brand of baseball that people will enjoy watching and one of which people will be proud."

While at JSU, Janssen's primary coaching responsibilities were coaching infielders and hitters, while serving as third base coach. The Gamecocks won at least 30 games during his six seasons, made two NCAA regional appearances, won a pair of Ohio Valley Conference titles and had two other OVC runner-up finishes. JSU also boasted the highest MLB draft pick from the state of Alabama in 2009 & 2010.

Tony Duckworth, Director of Athletics, said his first Northeastern State hire is a great one.

"Travis Janssen embodies the characteristics we sought during our national search for a new head baseball coach at Northeastern State," said Duckworth. "Coach Janssen has been mentored by outstanding collegiate baseball minds, he has strong recruiting ties to this region and it is clear how well he will fit into the NSU community.  Finally, his work ethic and analytical approach to baseball will position us well in our upcoming MIAA partnership."

Janssen began his coaching career as a student assistant at Kansas State in 1996. A year later he moved to Butler County (Kansas) Community College and also served as an associate scout for the Florida Marlins. From 1998-2001 Janssen was a volunteer assistant coach at the University of Arkansas under legendary coach Norm DeBriyn. He helped lead the Razorbacks to a 42-23 record and NCAA Regional berth in 1999 as the team claimed the Southeastern Conference regular season championship and a runner-up finish in the SEC Tournament that year.

He also had coaching stops at Northwestern (La.) State and Hawaii, along with extensive experience coaching summer camps.

" I have had the privilege of being around so many quality coaches along the way," said Janssen. "Though there are too many to name individually, I would like to mention Jim Case, head coach of Jacksonville State. Along with being a very good coach, he understands priorities.  He has helped teach me what it means to be a quality husband, father, along with being a coach.  What is special about him is that he always puts others ahead of himself.  I was lucky to spend six years with Coach Case along with assistants Steve Gillispie and Shayne Kelley."

A native of Manhattan, Kan., Janssen earned his undergraduate degree from Kansas State University. He was an All-Region VI choice at Butler County and played his final two seasons at New Mexico State. There, he was a 3rd Team NCBWA (National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association) All-America selection as a junior and hit .401 before a season-ending injury cut short his senior campaign. He also played one year with the Adirondack Lumberjacks in the Northeastern Independent League.

Janssen is married to the former Christy Brown, from Springdale, Ark. The couples has two children, Avery Catherine (6) and Tate Alan (4), and are expecting another child in August.

"I feel I am prepared for this job for many reasons, but there is one reason that is bigger than the others: I’ve been surrounded by quality people for a long time," Janssen said. "I’m so blessed to be married to a wife who truly understands what it means to be a great wife and great mom. She has so much patience and does a good job of keeping things running smoothly with our family.  She really understands the demands that are put on a coach, and she does a great job balancing those demands with taking care of our kids. 

"One of my former coaches told Mr. Duckworth that I did my best recruiting job when I married my wife.  That is the truth."

Janssen will begin his duties at Northeastern State in the next few weeks.

WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT TRAVIS JANSSEN

Travis has done a tremendous job for our program at Jackson State, we are excited for Travis and his family. Travis is a tireless worker, who has taken the necessary steps to accept a head coach’s position. He is a great recruiter who has made many contacts across the states.  --- Jim Case, head baseball coach, Jacksonville State University

Travis is perfect for the job. He is very intuitive to baseball, recruits well, and recognizes talent. Travis did an excellent job with our program and was recognized as a well respected coach at the University (of Arkansas). Coach Janssen put in many hours working on motivational films and slides from games and was always well dedicated.  --- Norm DeBriyn, former head baseball coach, University of Arkansas

Travis will do a terrific job at Northeastern. He is highly qualified, energetic and has great vision to run a baseball program. During his time here (Northwestern State), he demonstrated focus and was a very organized recruiter. Travis is a great teacher of the game and is excited to accept the head coach’s position. --- Mitch Gaspard, head baseball coach, University of Alabama

Northeastern is fortunate to have Travis Janssen as head baseball coach. Travis will be a great ambassador and will run a clean program. Coach Janssen will work very hard to make NSU baseball a well respected program. The whole community at Northeastern will benefit from having Coach Janssen and his family there.  --- B.D. Parker, former head baseball coach, Nicholls State University

I couldn't be happier for Travis. He is a guy who has worked extremely hard to position himself as a head coach. Travis is "head coaching material." He is driven to win but is also focused on running a quality program. Travis is passionate about coaching young people and is very community oriented.  --- Greg Burke, director of athletics, Northwestern State (La.) University

Coach Hess, a native of Manhattan, Kan., will join Janssen in handling the daily hitting activities, plus will be in charge of the outfielders and also assist with the recruiting efforts. 

“Dusty is as passionate of young coach as you will find.  He is very excited to be here, and I’m just as excited to work with him.  He is passionate about hitting and passionate about players getting better.  That is exciting to me to have a coach with that attitude.  Dusty comes from a fantastic baseball family.  His dad is somebody that has been a mentor to me and somebody that I couldn’t respect more,” said Janssen.  Don Hess is the head coach at Manhattan High School who has gone to the 6A state tournament numerous times and won two State Championships. 

After Manhattan High School, Hess played at Fort Scott Community College before focusing on his coaching career that has included stops with Manhattan High School, the Manhattan American Legion program and the Midwest Wolverines over the last five years.

In 2011, the 24 year-old Hess was a member of the Kansas State University baseball staff. 

“That experience in a Big 12 program, headed by Brad Hill, was great experience for Coach Hess.  I have to believe that experience will benefit our program here at NSU,” said Janssen.

Hess is currently working on his Master’s Degree in Health and Kinesiology at NSU; Hess is the son of Don and Linnea Hess, and has an older brother, Ben, and a younger brother, Garrett.

Coach Nisco will handle the RiverHawks’ pitching staff, plus assist with the strength and conditioning program and help in developing an extensive recruiting foundation.

The 26-year-old pitched four years (2003-2007) at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, Ca. where he was nominated to be a member of the school’s All-Decade Team.

“Mike not only has a background as a starting pitcher, but also a reliever at the Division I level,” said Janssen. “Knowing what it’s like to pitch in both roles will be a benefit for our staff.” 

After his collegiate experience, Nisco played in the professional Italian Baseball League for De Angelis Godo, where he also helped coach the pitching staff.

This past year Nisco coached at De La Salle (Ca.) High School where he inherited a pitching staff with a 4.50 team ERA and reduced that figure to 1.91 in his first year as his club reached the league’s championship game.

Raised in the San Francisco East Bay Area, Nisco also coached at the 18U and 16U level with the Concord Zephyrs this past summer, plus assisted for a collegiate team in the Sacramento Rural League and Horizon Air Summer Series in Northern California.

 Nisco is currently working on his Master’s Degree in Health and Kinesiology at NSU; Nisco is the son of Bob and Bernie Nisco, and has a sister, Summer, and a brother, Joey.