Blake McFadden Promoted to Permanent Head Coach of Dartmouth Baseball

HANOVER, N.H. — Mike Harrity, Haldeman Family Director of Athletics and Recreation, has announced the promotion of Blake McFadden to permanent head coach of the Dartmouth baseball program. McFadden joined the Dartmouth staff in the fall of 2018 and was elevated from pitching coach to interim head coach in July 2025.

"During this past year leading the program, Blake's positive impact on our student-athletes was evident from day one," Harrity said. "The way he approaches teaching, development and his emphasis on growth is what we were looking for in a permanent head coach. Blake has earned our confidence and we are excited for the next chapter of Dartmouth Baseball."
In his first season as the head of the baseball program, McFadden delivered a series of program milestones. Dartmouth opened the year with a 7-6 win over Fairleigh Dickinson University, the program's first Opening Day victory since 2019, and earned a conference win over Columbia in a 3-2 decision in 10 innings that snapped a nine-game losing skid against the Lions. Dartmouth also recorded its first win over Princeton since 2022.

"I am so grateful for this opportunity and for the trust Mike Harrity and the entire Dartmouth Athletics staff have placed in me," McFadden said. "This program means a great deal to me, and I am proud of what our players accomplished this spring. There is real momentum here, and I am excited to build on it. I also want to thank Coach Bob Whalen for his unwavering support and guidance throughout my career — his influence has been invaluable. Our goal is to compete for Ivy League championships, and I believe we have the foundation to do that. Go Big Green!"

McFadden's expertise on the mound was on full display throughout his first season, as the staff posted a league-low 4.32 ERA. Nate Isler '27 led the Ivy League in strikeouts in the regular season with 80 and ranked second in the league in innings pitched with 65. Mac Burke '26's four saves ranked second in the league, and Nate Kugler '28's 3.35 ERA placed fourth among Ivy League pitchers. Dartmouth earned four All-Ivy postseason honorees, three pitchers and a catcher, including the program's first First-Team selection, relief pitcher Burke, since 2022.

In his six years as pitching coach prior to his promotion, McFadden developed standout arms including Jack Metzger '23, who ranks third all-time in program history with 12 career saves and twice led the team with six in a single season. Danny Will '25 sits second all-time in total appearances with 62. McFadden has had 10 pitchers join the single-season and career program record lists and as pitching coach, he guided five players to All-Ivy honors. As interim head coach, he has added four more, giving him nine All-Ivy honorees overall, with one First-Team, three Second-Team, and five Honorable Mentions.

A native of St. Joseph, Missouri, McFadden pitched at Kansas State University, where he was named to the Big 12 All-Rookie Team as a freshman after going 6-3 with 58.0 innings pitched over 13 starts as the Sunday starter. That season, the Wildcats won the Big 12 conference title and advanced to the NCAA Super Regional. That team was led by Brad Hill, who now serves as McFadden's own assistant coach at Dartmouth. McFadden was also named to the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll during his time in Manhattan. In the summer of 2015, he served as pitching coach for the St. Joseph Mustangs in the college wooden bat summer league, guiding the Mustangs to the league championship.

One of the most decorated high school baseball players in Missouri State High School Activities Association history, McFadden was named the 2012 MSHSAA Player of the Year, Gatorade Player of the Year, and Louisville Slugger All-American, and was selected in the 32nd round of the MLB Draft by the Detroit Tigers.

McFadden graduated from Kansas State with a bachelor of science in human ecology with a major in athletic training and a minor in kinesiology.

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