Ty McDevitt | Head Coach

Ty McDevitt was named the head baseball coach at the University of Minnesota on May 22, 2024.

McDevitt, 31, is Minnesota's 16th head coach in program history (the Gophers had two coaches in both the 1910 and 1922 seasons), but is only the program's fourth head coach since 1948. Dick Siebert led the Gophers from 1948-78 and was then followed by George Thomas who was at the helm from 1979-81. McDevitt follows John Anderson, who coached Minnesota for 43 seasons from 1982-2024 and amassed 1,390 wins.

McDevitt recently wrapped up his eighth season on the University of Minnesota coaching staff and sixth full season as the Gophers' pitching coach in 2024. McDevitt previously served as a volunteer assistant for the Gophers from 2017 to 2018. The Gophers pitching staff had a resurgent 2024 season under his tutelage, ranking first in the Big Ten in fewest earned runs and home runs allowed, third in ERA, K/H per nine innings and hits allowed and fourth in strikeouts.

He joined the Gopher baseball coaching staff after playing five seasons in the program as one of the staple pieces of the Minnesota bullpen. During his time as a player (2012-16), McDevitt made 45 appearances for the Golden Gophers, including five starts. He posted a 9-4 career record and had an era under 4.00 in three of his seasons. During his senior year in 2016, McDevitt earned a 3.77 ERA with a 4-1 record, totaling 23 strikeouts in 28.2 innings pitched out of the bullpen. Minnesota went on to win the 2016 Big Ten Championship, the program’s first league title since 2010. The team also went on to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in six seasons.

In his eight seasons on the staff, he has morphed Minnesota into a national contender. Under his watch, the Gophers have had two All-Americans, a Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, four First Team All-Big Ten selections, two Second Team All-Big Ten nods, an All-Big Ten Third Team honoree and two Big Ten All-Freshman Team members. Nine times Minnesota hurlers pitchers have been named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week under McDevitt.

Since the 2017 season, 11 different Minnesota pitchers have been selected in the MLB Draft, including seven in the top-10 rounds. The Gophers have had pitchers drafted in all seven of McDevitt’s seasons at the ‘U’, and that streak is expected to continue in the 2024 draft.

Under McDevitt's tutelage from 2018-20, pitcher Max Meyer evolved from a 34th round draft pick out of Woodbury High School in 2017 to the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 MLB draft. McDevitt helped Meyer find success as a reliever in his freshman season, where he posted a 2.06 ERA and tied the program record of 16 saves en route to an All-America campaign.

Thanks to McDevitt, Meyer successfully transitioned to the starting rotation in 2019, a move that significantly enhanced his draft stock and featured 76.2 innings of 2.11 ERA work. For his junior encore, Meyer went 3-1 as the ace of the staff with a team-low 1.95 ERA and 46 strikeouts, which tied for fifth in the entire NCAA.

Also under McDevitt’s tutelage, Minnesota’s 2024 starting pitcher Connor Wietgrefe was named First Team All-Big Ten, the first Gopher to earn that honor since 2019 and first pitcher since 2018. The southpaw had a 8-4 record in 13 starts. His eight wins were tied for first and his 2.77 ERA ranked second among Big Ten pitchers.

McDevitt aided the Gophers to the 2018 Big Ten Regular Season and Tournament Championships, as well as its first ever Super Regional. From 2017-19, the Maroon and Gold posted a 3.84 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP while striking out an astounding 1,396 hitters in just three seasons. In 2017 and 2018, the Golden Gopher pitching staff saw vast improvements in nearly every statistical category under his watch, while ranking among the elite in the nation in ERA, strikeouts, WHIP and K per/9.

In six seasons, Minnesota pitchers averaged 9.0 K/9. Aside from the 2023 season which McDevitt missed due to a battle with Lyme disease, the Gophers have increased their strikeouts every year since 2021. In 2017, the pitching staff registered a 7.2 K/9, a number that improved to 7.5 K/9 in 2018. During the 2019 season, the Gophers pitched to a 9.6 K/9, a mark that again increased to 11.7 K/9 in the abbreviated 2020 season.

2019 marked a historic season for McDevitt's arms, who boasted a Top 10 National ranking in both ERA (3.18) and WHIP (1.21). The Gopher pitching staff also set an all-time program record in 2019 with 536 strikeouts. In addition, McDevitt’s staff led the Big Ten (Conference Games) in ERA (2.64), OBA (.217), Wins (18), least amount of runs and hits allowed while finishing among the top five in all games in ERA (3.20), OPA (.232) and strikeouts (445).

Three of McDevitt’s pitchers in Max Meyer, Pat Fredrickson and Reggie Meyer garnered All-Big Ten honors with Max Meyer and Pat Fredrickson receiving unanimous All-American honors from D1Baseball.com, Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, Baseball America, ABCA/Rawlings, PerfectGame and NCBWA. Fredrickson also became the first pitcher in program history to be crowned the Big Ten Freshman and Big Ten Pitcher of the Year in the same season.

A proponent of a strong backend bullpen, McDevitt has nearly rewritten the pitching records at Minnesota in just two years. In back-to-back seasons both Brian Glowicki and Max Meyer have been named NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award nominees as both have broken the Minnesota single season saves record (16). Additionally, Brett Schulze, a starter in 2016 as a true freshman, blossomed under McDevitt in a middle relief role as sophomore posting the fifth most wins of all-time (nine) and the most for a relief pitcher in the history of Gopher Baseball.

Known for his ability to develop high school arms into MLB Draft prospects, McDevitt has overseen the development of numerous pitchers in the last eight seasons. Notables include Max Meyer (Miami Marlins), Brett Schulze (Philadelphia Phillies), Jake Stevenson (Cincinnati Reds), Nick Lackney (Philadelphia Phillies), Reggie Meyer (Texas Rangers), Jackson Rose (Miami Marlins), Tyler Hanson (Colorado Rockies), Brian Glowicki (Chicago Cubs), Lucas Gilbreath (Colorado Rockies), Dalton Sawyer (Oakland Athletics), J.P. Massey (Pittsburgh Pirates), Aidan Maldonado (Milwaukee Brewers) and George Klassen (Philadelphia Phillies). With the exception of Max Meyer and Gilbreath, none of the aforementioned players had previously been drafted before arriving at Minnesota.

Nationally respected for his forward thinking, McDevitt combines his knowledge of exercise science with an education in the social sciences to develop healthy and competitive pitching staffs known for their GRIT and toughness. A frequent speaker at SportsCon Analytics Conference and other pitching and coaching conferences throughout the state of Minnesota, McDevitt is a proponent of analytical and video technology that has translated into increased velocity among countless Gopher hurlers, a decrease in injuries and a heightened reliance on spin metrics.

Prior to joining the Gopher Baseball staff, McDevitt founded and instructed at The Cages and NorthStar Baseball Club.  During his time at the Burnsville, Minn., facility, McDevitt graduated numerous arms to Division I baseball and most notably, Sam Carlson, a second round pick by the Seattle Mariners.

The native of Apple Valley, Minnesota, earned a degree in Sociology from the University of Minnesota while also pursuing a master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Science. McDevitt and his wife, Claire, welcomed their daughter, Mila, to the world in August 2021 and son Max in August of 2024.

Alec Crawford | Assistant Coach

Alec Crawford finished his second season with the Golden Gophers coaching staff as the director of pitching development in 2024. He joined the staff in the fall of 2022.

Crawford was promoted to pitching coach in June of 2024 under head coach Ty McDevitt.

During his time with the 'U' pitching staff three Gopher pitchers have been drafted to the MLB. George Klassen (RHP)  was selected No. 193 in the sixth round of the 2023 draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. During his time at the 'U' Klassen was sidelined due to an elbow injury his freshman year but returned with the help of the staff to a 100 mph fastball and success as a Gopher. In 2024 the Gopher staff  had two LHP get drafted to the MLB. Connor Wietgrefe  was 204th to the Pittsburgh Pirates. As a junior he was second in the Big Ten with a 2.77 ERA. Tucker Novotny was drafted No. 526 to the Oakland Athletics. Novotny was ranked No. 5 in the Big Ten in K/9 (10.7) his junior season (2024).

In his first year on staff, Crawford helped the 'U' pitching staff earn its best ERA since the 2019 season despite having a roster that ranked as the youngest in the Big Ten at just 19.9 years of age. He helped develop sophomore left-hander Tucker Novotny into a Third Team All-Big Ten selection, the Gophers first pitcher to earn all-league honors in the last four years. As a team, Minnesota won 10 Big Ten games, its most since the 2019 season.

Minnesota left-handers Noah Rooney (3-0, 3.29 ERA) and Connor Wietgrefe (2-3, 3.83 ERA) took a big jump under Crawford. They combined for 84 strikeouts and just 33 earned runs allowed in 83.0 innings pitched to lead the bullpen. Wietgrefe also ranked in the top-10 of the Big Ten with his five saves and .209 opponent batting average. Both Wietgrefe (May 15, 2023) and right-handed starter George Klassen (March 20, 2023) won Big Ten Pitcher of the Week awards this season.

In his second season on staff, Crawford one again helped the Minnesota pitching staff to it's lowest ERA since 2019, which ranked No. 3 in the Big Ten. The Gophers also struck out 48 more batters in 2024 than 2023 despite pitching 43.1 less innings in 2024. As a staff, the Gophers led the league with the fewest home runs (35) and earned runs allowed (243) and ranked second in runs allowed (295), third in K/9 (9.5) and fourth in strikeouts (444). Crawford had two starting pitchers rank in the top 10 in the conference in K/9, including Novotny at No. 4 and Will Semb at No. 7.

In 2024, Crawford helped transition Wietgrefe from a reliever to one of the Big Ten's premier starting pitchers. Wietgrefe finished the season tied for first in the Big Ten in wins (8), second in ERA (2.77) and FIP (2.88), third in WAR (1.53) and sixth in strikeouts (74). He became the first Gopher since 2019 to be named First Team All-Big Ten and the first starting pitcher to earn the distinction since 2018.

Along with his coaching experience, Crawford was an owner of Northstar Baseball Club.

Following his playing career, Crawford joined the Benilde-St. Margaret’s staff as the high school’s pitching coach from 2020-2022. After the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID, he helped lead the Red Knights to a 41-11 record over the next two seasons, developing two all-state selections and one Minnesota Mr. Baseball Award winner. In 2021, the team made a section championship appearance, posting a team ERA of 2.75 for the season. In Crawford’s final year with Benilde-St. Margaret's, he led the pitching staff to a league-best 2.29 team ERA, a section championship, and a state championship.

Crawford played for two years in the Colorado Rockies organization. He also had a brief stint with the St. Paul Saints. In 2018, Alec signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.

A 2014 MLB Draft pick of the Rockies, Crawford pitched for two years (2013-14) at the University of Minnesota. He was an All-Big Ten Third Team selection and named the Gophers' David Winfield Pitcher of the Year in his senior season. He tied for the team lead and ranked fifth in the Big Ten with 67. He tossed 97.1 innings and held a 3.79 ERA with a 4-2 record in 15 starts.

As a junior, he pitched in a total of 10 games, including nine starts, going 4-2 with a 2.28 ERA, which ranked third on the team. He pitched a total of 51.1 innings (fourth on the team). He was 3-1 with a 2.27 ERA in 39.2 Big Ten innings and held opponents to a 2.57 ERA in his last six start.

Prior to his time at Minnesota, Crawford played for two years at Des Moines Area Community College, where was able to earn a position in the starting rotation as a freshman and never looked back. He holds pitching records in a variety of statistical categories including lowest career ERA, most career strikeouts, most career innings pitched and most career wins. His postseason honors at DMACC included the 2012 ICCAC Pitcher of the Year and 2012 ICCAC Player of the Year.

For his performance as a sophomore, he was a 2012 First Team All American selection. He lead his teams to two NJCAA World Series berths, earning All-Tournament Team honors in 2011 and 2012. He set the NJCAA World Series Record for most strikeouts in a game with 15 in 2011.

Originally from Wilton, Iowa, Crawford played baseball, basketball, football and golf at Wilton High School, where he was all-state and all-elite in baseball, and second team all-state in basketball. He's the son of Ken and Dawn Crawford and also has a brother, Cole.

He currently resides in Corcoran, Minn., with his wife, Kim, and sons, Crew and Cooper.

Connor Gandossy | Assistant Coach

Connor Gandossy was hired as an assistant coach for the Gopher baseball program in June of 2024. He will focus on the hitters and catchers at Minnesota. He spent the last seven seasons as hitting coach and recruiting coordinator for the Creighton baseball program. A former collegiate catcher at Saint Louis University, Gandossy was also responsible for Bluejay catchers.

In his time with the Bluejays, the team posted a 195-113 record. During Gandossy’s tenure, Creighton’s offense hit over .270 with 622 doubles, 263 home runs and averaged 6.5 runs per game.

Before Creighton, Gandossy spent the 2012-16 seasons at Saint Louis University, where he served as an assistant coach for four years. Prior to coaching at Saint Louis, Gandossy was an assistant coach at Jefferson College.

Gandossy was an instrumental part of the Bluejays’ success, including a trip to the NCAA Regional finals in 2019. The 2019 team was ranked among the Top-25 teams in the nation and claimed the BIG EAST regular season and tournament championships.

During his first season as the hitting coach at Creighton (2018), Gandossy helped the Bluejay offense bump its team batting average by 11 points (from .256 to .267), raise the squads’ slugging percentage from .370 to .412 and increase runs per game from 4.3 to 6.1 (during his first six seasons combined).

Creighton continued to improve at the plate in 2019, leading the BIG EAST in hitting for the first time with a team batting average of .290. The Bluejays also posted an on-base percentage of .387, slugging percentage of .477, collected 200 extra base hits (67 home runs) and scored over seven runs per game.

Gandossy worked closely with Alan Roden, helping him move from a walk-on in 2019 to the 98th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. Roden went on to claim the 2022 BIG EAST Player of the Year. Roden was the second BIG EAST Player of the Year recruited by Gandossy, joining the 2019 BIG EAST Player of the Year and All-American, Jake Holton, who was selected in the 10th round of the MLB Draft.

Along with Holton, three other Bluejay positional players were selected in the 2019 MLB Draft. Will Robertson was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the fourth round, Isaac Collins was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the ninth round and Jack Strunc was selected by the Miami Marlins in the 25th round.

Gandossy’s impact on the recruiting trail has been prominent. The Bluejays’ 2020 recruiting class was rated as one of the Top 50 in the nation by College Baseball Newspaper (CBN) and Baseball America. The 2021 recruiting class was a Perfect Game Top 100 class as well as a Top 75 Class by CBN. It was the third time Gandossy helped land a Perfect Game Top 100 class, doing so in 2015 and 2016 at SLU.

In his career, Gandossy has helped four catchers get drafted into major league baseball. Gandossy helped Bluejay Michael Emodi earn a spot on the Johnny Bench Watch List and be drafted in 2018 in the 11th round by the Kansas City Royals. In addition, Billiken catcher Jake Henson made the Johnny Bench Watch List and was drafted in the 21st round by the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colton Frabasilio was drafted in the 23rd round by the Kansas City Royals in 2015. In total, Gandossy has coached 28 players who were drafted by MLB clubs.

A standout catcher and leader for the Billikens from 2009-12, Gandossy appeared in 157 games behind the plate. He caught 49 contests in each of his last two seasons at SLU. During that span, the Billikens won three Atlantic 10 championships, earned one NCAA tournament bid, and broke the school record for wins in 2012 with 41.

Gandossy received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Louis University in 2012 and earned his master’s degree in organizational leadership from Creighton in 2021. Connor and his wife, Rachael, were married during the fall of 2019 and welcomed their first child (Marcus) in 2022.

Sean Moore | Assistant Coach

Sean Moore was hired as an assistant coach for Gopher baseball in June of 2024.

Last year, he helped Iowa to a 31-23 (14-10 Big Ten) record, finishing fourth in the conference. Under his guidance, UI hit .301 (3rd in B1G) with a .410 OBP (1st in B1G). Their 16 triples ranked second in the league while their 443 runs placed them at No. 3.

“I’m honored to join such a historic program at the University of Minnesota,” Moore said. “This opportunity means contributing to a legacy of excellence and being part of a team that focuses on winning and developing great people. Ty has done an outstanding job as an assistant coach at Minnesota and I’m excited to work under his leadership as a part of this amazing new coaching staff.”

Moore previously spent two years as a volunteer assistant coach for the Hawkeyes from 2017-18. He helped lead the program to 72 wins, the first Big Ten Tournament title in school history and an appearance in the 2017 Houston Regional.

He coached nine All-Big Ten selections, including unanimous first-team All-Big Ten first baseman and unanimous Big Ten Player of the Year honoree Jake Adams, who hit an NCAA leading, Iowa school and Big Ten-record 29 home runs. Moore also helped nine players get selected in the MLB Draft.

The Coralville, Iowa, native then served five seasons (2018-23) on the Penn State baseball staff, including four as an assistant coach and one season as director of operations/player development.

In his four seasons as an assistant, Penn State improved in runs per game (4.3, 5.2, 5.5, 7.1), home runs (24, 34, 42, 44), RBIs (193, 203, 274, 316) and on-base percentage (.332, .347, .358, .372).

He mentored four All-Big Ten selections and three All-Big Ten Freshman Team honorees. Moore helped three Nittany Lion hitters be selected in the MLB Draft.
Moore’s collegiate playing career consisted of three stops. He played two seasons at DMACC, where he helped the Bears to an NJCAA World Series berth in 2011 before earning All-Region XI honors in 2012. He spent the 2013 season at Wichita State before transferring and wrapping up his career as a Hawkeye in 2015.  Iowa won 41 games in his lone season and advanced to NCAA Regional play for the first time since 1990. Moore appeared in 25 contests for Iowa, hitting .231 (9-of-39) with four doubles, 10 RBIs and eight runs scored.

Moore has also served as director of baseball operations at Diamond Dreams Sports Academy, where he continued researching the biomechanical movements of each phase of the swing. He graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in leisure studies in 2015. He is a graduate of Iowa City West High School.

Nolan Summerfield | Director of Operations

Nolan Summerfield was promoted to director of operations for the Gopher baseball program in June of 2024.

He spent the 2024 season as the assistant director of operations following his graduation from the University of Minnesota in May of 2023.

Summerfield first joined the Gopher baseball program in the fall of 2020 as a student manager and bullpen catcher. In the summer of 2022, he was promoted to head student manager for the 2023 season. During his three seasons as a student manager he assisted in the day-to-day operations of the program, which included preparing equipment for practices, generating advanced scouting reports for opponents, developing reports based on advanced analytics, assisting with team travel, and any other miscellaneous tasks that came about.

A native of Blaine, Minn., Nolan graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and sport management and from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota with a Master’s in business administration. While pursuing his undergraduate degree, he spent time working for the Wareham Gateman of the Cape Cod Baseball League and the Pierre Trappers of the Expedition League.

Currently, Nolan also serves as the Director of Camps for the Minnesota Baseball Instructional school and coaches youth baseball at Complete Game Baseball in Lino Lakes.