(LEBANON, Ill., June 19)—McKendree University director of athletics Chuck Brueggemann on Wednesday promoted Andrew Stepp to become the new head baseball coach for the Bearcats.
 
Stepp joined the McKendree family in August 2018 as an assistant coach for the baseball program. He was the Bearcats' hitting and infield coach during the 2019 season. Prior to his arrival at McKendree, Stepp gained valuable NCAA Division I experience as both a coach and player.
 
"Andrew has made a positive impact during his short amount of time on the McKendree baseball coaching staff," said Brueggemann. "His enthusiasm and style of coaching resonated with our student-athletes, and I have no doubt that will only continue as he takes over as our head baseball coach. Andrew brings Division I coaching and playing experience, and he has enhanced his knowledge for the game by working various Division I camps across the country. We believe Andrew has the qualities to take the McKendree baseball program to new levels."
 
In 2018, Stepp was on the staff at Murray State University as an assistant coach. He assisted with all facets of the Racers' offensive game and was also responsible for base running and outfield development. Stepp's efforts helped in part to Murray State's qualification into the 2018 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.
 
Before his time at Murray State, Stepp served as the director of baseball operations and player development at another NCAA Division I institution, Ohio University. There, he was responsible for handling all aspects of the Bobcats' travel and budgetary requirements. Stepp also worked with hitters and infielders at Ohio.
 
From 2014-16, Stepp was a student assistant coach at his alma mater, Western Kentucky University. In addition to serving as the Hilltoppers' bullpen coordinator, Stepp assisted the program's director of baseball operations.
 
"I'm very excited and humbled to be given this opportunity to serve as the head baseball coach at McKendree," said Stepp. "I cannot thank Chuck Brueggemann and (McKendree President) Dr. James Dennis and the entire McKendree administration enough for seeing my vision and trusting me to lead this program."
 
A native of Nixa, Mo., Stepp played two seasons as an infielder at Western Kentucky. He began his collegiate playing career at Southwest Baptist University.
 
In Stepp's one season as an assistant at McKendree, the Bearcats set an NCAA Division II-era program record with 55 stolen bases. Junior outfielder Drew Reich (Charlestown, IN/Charlestown) also belted 10 home runs in 2019, which is the most by any player since the Bearcats completed their NCAA Division II transition.
 
Stepp shared his vision for the McKendree baseball program. "There is a process to get this program back to the winning tradition it has had in recent years. We have excellent talent here now and the goal is to start winning right now. We want to get into the conference tournament and build that winning tradition on top of what we already have here at McKendree."
 
Stepp and his wife, Lauren, reside in O'Fallon.