Ryan Dineen joined the McKendree University baseball staff as a graduate assistant coach in the fall of 2015. A standout player at every level he has reached, Dineen will bring his expertise in serving as the Bearcats' infield coach.
Dineen, who comes to McKendree from Roswell, Ga., spent two years as a member of the Houston Astros' minor league system. He was a 25th round selection by the Astros in the 2012 Major League Baseball First-Year Players Draft out of Eastern Illinois University. During his time with the organization, Dineen primarily played as a third baseman and was part of two championship programs, first with the Tri-City Valley Cats of the short-season Class A New York-Penn League, then again with the Quad Cities River Bandits of the long-season Class A Midwest League.
At Eastern Illinois, Dineen was a three-year starter along the Panthers' infield, splitting time between second and third base. Dineen enjoyed a stellar junior season in 2012 where he was second on the team with a .335 batting average. He led EIU with 15 stolen bases while adding 37 runs scored, seven home runs and 36 runs batted in. Dineen posted 20 multi-hit games and nine games with at least two RBI. He was just as dangerous in Ohio Valley Conference play, hitting .326 against league foes. Dineen was an OVC All-Tournament Team selection at the conclusion of the league's post-season event. For his career at EIU, Dineen batted .275 in 145 games, which included 134 starts.
Dineen attended Andrean High School in Merriville, Ind., where he helped lead the Fighting 59ers to a Class 3A state baseball championship as a senior. He was part of the Andrean team that finished the year 33-2 and ranked 17th nationally. Dineen was a two-time All-Area selection for Andrean and twice earned regional Gold Glove awards. Dineen was a two-sport standout at Andrean, where he also played basketball.
