Bio

Santiago Mendez was promoted to head baseball coach at The University of Olivet on September 19, 2022. Prior to the promotion, he was an assistant coach for three seasons, working with the pitchers and also serving as the third base coach.

Mendez’s playing career included time at Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC), Lansing Community College (LCC) and Gannon (Pa.) University.  After a successful season at GRCC, he transferred to LCC. Santiago led the pitching staff for the Stars in a season highlighted by a complete game win against No. 5-ranked Kellogg Community College. Mendez was awarded 2015 All-Michigan Community College Athletic Association Second Team honors.

After LCC, Mendez transferred to Gannon, where he joined the starting rotation and earned 2016 All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Second Team honors as a pitcher.  That season, he recorded the third-highest win total in school history with eight. Mendez helped the Golden Knights advance to the PSAC Tournament for the first time since 2009 and win a school record 31 games.

Mendez earned a bachelor’s degree in sports management and marketing from Gannon in 2018. After his playing career ended, he served as a graduate assistant coach at Gannon for two years. Mendez is a Potterville native, who starred at Lansing Eastern High School, and currently resides in Lansing.