Search Underway For New Baseball Coach At Upper Iowa

The search is underway for a new baseball head coach at Upper Iowa University.

On Wednesday, (May 18, 2016), athletic officials at the school announced that Mark Danker's contract is not being renewed and the process to find his replacement has already begun.

"We want to thank Mark for all his efforts and dedication to Upper Iowa and the Peacock baseball program," Upper Iowa Athletics Director David Miller said in a statement posted on the school's website. "At this time, we believe the program needs to go in a new direction. We wish Mark nothing but the best in the future."

Danker spent 27 seasons with the Upper Iowa program, including the last 17 as the head coach. He compiled a record of 358-441 during his tenure.

The Peacocks finished this past season with an 18-29 overall record. They finished 11th in the Northern Sun Conference (NSIC) race with a 14-22 mark.

Since the Peacocks moved up to NCAA Division II and joined the NSIC, the team has a 123-130 record in league play. Danker was named the NSIC Coach of the Year in 2007 after Upper Iowa finished second in the conference standings.

Danker is the second head coach fired by Upper Iowa in a span of three months. In February, school officials decided not to renew the contract of women's basketball coach Carroll Russell following a six-year tenure that ended with a 28-136 record.

Utah State assistant coach Micha Thompson was announced as Russell's replacement on May 11.