Ferris State Tabs Proven Softball Head Coach Jake Schumann To Take Over Bulldog Program

Big Rapids, Much. - Ferris State University has announced the appointment of Jake Schumann, a veteran coach with a proven track record, as the Bulldogs' next head softball coach. The announcement was made today (Dec. 21) by FSU Athletics Director Steve Brockelbank.

Schumann, who has most recently served as the assistant principal just up the road at Big Rapids High School, brings considerable experience from his time as a collegiate head coach, helping turn around softball programs at Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Texas A&M Kingsville and Florida International.

He will officially begin his duties at FSU on Jan. 9 as the Bulldogs prepare for the 2023 campaign. He replaces former head coach Kristin Janes, who departed this fall for another career opportunity.

"We're thrilled to land a coach of Jake's caliber to lead our program in the future," said Brockelbank. "He brings considerable and proven head coaching experience, a passion for the game and familiarity with the program and the area to this role. We believe he's an outstanding fit to help lead and develop our student-athletes on the path to championship success."

Schumann has worked on the administrative staff at Big Rapids High School since the fall of 2021 following a two-year stint at Muskegon Oakridge High School where he worked as a special education teacher and was the varsity softball coach.

Before arriving in Michigan, Schumann spent nearly four years in the state of Iowa, beginning with a two-year tenure on the softball staff at the University of Iowa as an assistant coach in the Big Ten Conference where he was the program's offensive coordinator and hitting coach. He then worked in the Wood Intermediate School District as an educator and was the head softball coach at Davenport West High School.

The longtime educator and coach joined the Hawkeyes' staff in 2015 after spending a season as the associate head coach at Ole Miss in the Southeastern Conference. He also served as the head coach at Florida International (2011-14), Texas A&M Corpus Christi (2007-11), Texas A&M Kingsville (2003-07) and Carl Albert State College (2001-03).

"I'm excited to have an outstanding opportunity to get back into collegiate softball coaching, which is my passion, at Ferris State and believe we have the tools in place to reach great heights," Schumann said. "It's great that this position opened at the right time in the right place and we'll get to work quickly to establish a foundation for future success."

As the Ole Miss hitting coach, Schumann helped guide the Rebel offense to record-setting marks in every category at the plate and on the basepaths. Ole Miss set single-season records for batting average, runs scored, RBIs, home runs, triples, walks and steals. The Rebels also set the single-season mark for slugging percentage and on base percentage, while tying the single-season record for doubles.

In three seasons as the head coach at NCAA Division I Florida International, Schumann built a successful collegiate program and led the Panthers to an 88-75 overall record along with a 40-33 mark in conference action. In his final season, he guided FIU to a 33-20 record. First baseman Stephanie Texeira was named Conference USA Freshman of the Year, while garnering NFCA All-South Region first team honors. Texeira finished the season with the second-highest single-season batting average in school history (.408), and the second-most home runs in a year (11).

During his time at FIU, Schumann also spent a summer in the National Pro Fastpitch league as an assistant coach for the USSSA Pride. He coached a roster that included former Olympians and NCAA champions, including Cat Osterman, Natasha Watley and Caitlin Lowe. The Pride went on to win the 2013 NPF Championship. He was also the head coach for the Akron Racers' professional fast pitch team.

Prior to his time at Florida International, Schumann spent four years as the head coach at NCAA D1 Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Schumann, the 2011 Southland Conference Coach of the Year, amassed a record of 120-104 during his time at the helm. He led the team to a 41-19 record and a Southland Conference regular season championship in 2011. The team also advanced to the finals of the Southland Conference Tournament for the first time in school history and he became the program's all-time leader in wins.

Before Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Schumann was the head coach for four years at NCAA Division II Texas A&M-Kingsville. He guided the Javelinas to three 30-win seasons, and coached 19 All-Lone Star Conference players, a pitcher of the year, and the program's first All-American while also becoming that program's all-time wins leader.

Schumann's first collegiate head coaching opportunity came for two years as the head coach at Carl Albert State College (Oklahoma). The Vikings went 32-23 in his first year at the helm with a Region II runner-up finish. The next season, Carl Albert State compiled a 31-17 record and finished third in the regional tournament.

He began his collegiate coaching career as an assistant coach at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in Miami, Oklahoma. Northeastern posted a 101-16 record in his two seasons with the squad. In four seasons at Northeastern, Schumann coached 19 all-region players and six All-Americans.

Schumann played baseball for two years at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M before transferring to Ball State University. He received his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from St. Xavier University in Chicago, and a secondary social studies certification from Concordia University in St. Paul, Minn. He later earned his master's degree in guidance and counseling from Texas A&M University-Kingsville in May 2006.

Overall, Schumann brings nearly 20 years of collegiate coaching experience and more than two decades of experience as a coach or educator to the Bulldog program.

Schumann and his wife, Sharon, who is a former collegiate pitcher and has also served as a collegiate softball coach, reside in the Big Rapids area along with their two children.