Johnson County Community College
Press Release

College Information and Publications
913-469-8500
Julie Haas, Director, ext. 3120
Peggy Graham, Writer, ext. 3425
Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director, ext. 3122

10/08/07
Story by Tyler Cundith

Former baseball assistant hired as head coach at Southwestern Oregon

OVERLAND PARK, KS -- Johnson County Community College head baseball coach Kent Shelley announced that Daniel Esposito, an assistant to Shelley the past four seasons, has been hired as head coach at Southwestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay, Ore.

In his four seasons as head coach Shelley’s top assistant, Esposito has helped coach the team to three 30-win seasons, and produced teams that have hit collectively over 326 and averaged 7.1 runs per game in those four seasons.  During his four seasons, JCCC produced two campaigns with over 500 hits.  Before his arrival, the last time JCCC hit over 500 hits was in 1986, a span of 18 years.

Additionally, he has fostered the careers of one All-American, three Major League draft picks and 11 East Jayhawk All-Conference performers.  Bret Kinning, a third-team All-America selection in 2004, was also the NJCAA Central District Rawlings Big Stick Award winner, the first in JCCC history.  He hit .441 and set school records for season hits (81) season doubles (21) and career hits (141).  Kinning is one of only four players to post over 100 career hits and 100 career RBI in the 35-year history of the program.  Kinning, and along with Chris Nash, a power-hitting first baseman for JCCC in 2006, were both drafted and signed by the Cleveland Indians, and began their professional careers in A ball last spring.  In June 2007, Justin Miller was chosen in the sixth round by the Los Angeles Dodgers, and he began his professional career shortly after his selection.  At the plate, Miller batted a team best.367 (65-for-177) with six doubles, three triples, five home runs and 42 RBI.  Esposito also has had three players end the year ranked among the top 50 hitters in the country.

In addition to his duties with the team, Esposito also served as head coach for the Topeka Golden Giants, a summer collegiate team that competes in the M.I.N.K. League.  

Esposito came to JCCC after serving as the assistant infielders/hitting coach at his alma mater Pittsburg State University.   During his three-year tenure with the Pittsburg State baseball program, Esposito worked with the Gorillas infielders and provided hitting instruction.  In 2002, Pittsburg State finished 39-19, hit .314 as a team, and finished third at the NCAA Central Regional.  The Gorillas improved its team batting average to .327 in 2003, while registering a 32-19 record.

Esposito also served three years (1998-2000) as an assistant baseball and football coach at El Camino High School in his hometown of Oceanside, Calif.

As a player, Esposito enjoyed one of the most decorated careers in Pittsburg State history.  He became PSU’s first NCAA Division II All-America selection as a senior in 1997, earning first-team All-America accolades as a utility infielder.  He captured the MIAA triple crown that year, leading the conference in batting (.460), home runs (13) and RBI (71).  Esposito was name the MIAA’s Most Valuable Player , and was selected the MVP of the NCAA Division II Central Region.