Northwestern University Athletics
Coaches Corner: Dusty Napoleon
4/7/2016 10:47:00 AM | Baseball
On July 6, 2015, Northwestern head baseball coach Spencer Allen announced the hiring of assistant coach Dusty Napoleon to his staff. Napoleon joined the Wildcats after making assistant coaching stops at Concordia University Chicago, Western Illinois, North Park University and Iowa, his alma mater. After playing three seasons for the Hawkeyes (2005-07), the Wilmette, Illinois, native was taken in the 19th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft by the Oakland Athletics. NUSports.com sat down with Napoleon to better get to know the Wildcats' third base coach.
NUSports.com: We heard an interesting fact about you. You were once voted 'best name' in the minor leagues. Is this true?
Dusty Napoleon: [Laughs] Yes, it's true. It's funny, because the year before I actually came in second place. The following year my family really jumped on board, and so did people from the area. MLB.com did a nice write up on it. It was all in line with March Madness going on. It was fun.
You were drafted by the Oakland A's and played at all four levels in minor league baseball. What was your experience like?
It was a great experience. I loved every minute of it. I definitely found out that professional baseball is a job; it's a business. I met a lot of great people and played for some great managers. Playing at that level really instilled in me a greater understanding of work ethic, desire and passion.
Who was the most famous teammate you played with?
Probably Josh Donaldson. I played with him [for the Oakland A's AAA affiliate] in Sacramento.
What made you want to get into coaching?
I have always had a passion for teaching and for the game of baseball. My dad is a high school coach in the area, so I have been around the game my entire life. After I finished playing I knew that I wanted to pursue a coaching career. Coaching is just something I feel passionate about.
You're from the North Shore originally: what's it like coming back home?
Northwestern has always been a place that's on my radar. I know we can do good things here, especially with coach Allen at the top. It's nice being back home and having support from family and friends. Sunday [against Michigan] I had 20 family members in the stands, with a bunch of friends in attendance also. It was awesome.
What's coaching third base in the Big Ten like?
It's fun. It definitely gets you a little bit closer to the action without actually playing. I've enjoyed that part, especially the sights and sounds that you get to experience out there.
Is there pressure?
No. A lot of times I'm trying not to get hit by [Joe] Hoscheit, [Jake] Schieber or Hoppy [Matt Hopfner]. But coaching third base is good. It really locks you into the game, and you definitely feel like you have a part in the outcome.
What are your main coaching responsibilities on the coaching staff?
My main two responsibilities are working with the hitters and the catchers. On a daily basis, I am working with all the hitters on various aspects of hitting and putting together the hitting plan with help from Spencer [Allen] and Tad [Skelley]. Working with the catchers is the same thing: I spend time working on their routines and everything that goes into catching. I also spend time with both groups on the mental side of the game.
If you weren't coaching baseball, which sport would you want to coach?
It has to be football. I know those guys work really hard, but I love the game. I was close to playing football in college as well as baseball. I'd like to think I'd be a pretty good quarterbacks coach.
What's your favorite place to eat in Evanston or the North Shore?
Lou Malnati's, hands down.
How was Sunday's grand opening of Rocky and Berenice Miller Park?
Sunday was a special day. That atmosphere, that buzz around the stadium, that's something that we want to see happen here throughout this year and the years to come. It was just great to look up in the stands and see every seat filled and have a standing-room-only crowd. That's the environment we want to create on a regular basis, and we believe that we will get there.
Why is Northwestern baseball a program people should keep an eye on?
We have a lot of good pieces in place. It starts at the top with the administration and trickles down to coach Allen, coach Reynolds and coach Skelley, and of course our great student-athletes. We're playing a lot of young guys this season and seeing production from them. Guys are getting great experience right now; everybody is buying into what we're trying to do. We are working to establish a culture and create a Northwestern brand of baseball. The future is bright.
NUSports.com: We heard an interesting fact about you. You were once voted 'best name' in the minor leagues. Is this true?
Dusty Napoleon: [Laughs] Yes, it's true. It's funny, because the year before I actually came in second place. The following year my family really jumped on board, and so did people from the area. MLB.com did a nice write up on it. It was all in line with March Madness going on. It was fun.
You were drafted by the Oakland A's and played at all four levels in minor league baseball. What was your experience like?
It was a great experience. I loved every minute of it. I definitely found out that professional baseball is a job; it's a business. I met a lot of great people and played for some great managers. Playing at that level really instilled in me a greater understanding of work ethic, desire and passion.
Who was the most famous teammate you played with?
Probably Josh Donaldson. I played with him [for the Oakland A's AAA affiliate] in Sacramento.
What made you want to get into coaching?
I have always had a passion for teaching and for the game of baseball. My dad is a high school coach in the area, so I have been around the game my entire life. After I finished playing I knew that I wanted to pursue a coaching career. Coaching is just something I feel passionate about.
You're from the North Shore originally: what's it like coming back home?
Northwestern has always been a place that's on my radar. I know we can do good things here, especially with coach Allen at the top. It's nice being back home and having support from family and friends. Sunday [against Michigan] I had 20 family members in the stands, with a bunch of friends in attendance also. It was awesome.
What's coaching third base in the Big Ten like?
It's fun. It definitely gets you a little bit closer to the action without actually playing. I've enjoyed that part, especially the sights and sounds that you get to experience out there.
Is there pressure?
No. A lot of times I'm trying not to get hit by [Joe] Hoscheit, [Jake] Schieber or Hoppy [Matt Hopfner]. But coaching third base is good. It really locks you into the game, and you definitely feel like you have a part in the outcome.
What are your main coaching responsibilities on the coaching staff?
My main two responsibilities are working with the hitters and the catchers. On a daily basis, I am working with all the hitters on various aspects of hitting and putting together the hitting plan with help from Spencer [Allen] and Tad [Skelley]. Working with the catchers is the same thing: I spend time working on their routines and everything that goes into catching. I also spend time with both groups on the mental side of the game.
If you weren't coaching baseball, which sport would you want to coach?
It has to be football. I know those guys work really hard, but I love the game. I was close to playing football in college as well as baseball. I'd like to think I'd be a pretty good quarterbacks coach.
What's your favorite place to eat in Evanston or the North Shore?
Lou Malnati's, hands down.
How was Sunday's grand opening of Rocky and Berenice Miller Park?
Sunday was a special day. That atmosphere, that buzz around the stadium, that's something that we want to see happen here throughout this year and the years to come. It was just great to look up in the stands and see every seat filled and have a standing-room-only crowd. That's the environment we want to create on a regular basis, and we believe that we will get there.
Why is Northwestern baseball a program people should keep an eye on?
We have a lot of good pieces in place. It starts at the top with the administration and trickles down to coach Allen, coach Reynolds and coach Skelley, and of course our great student-athletes. We're playing a lot of young guys this season and seeing production from them. Guys are getting great experience right now; everybody is buying into what we're trying to do. We are working to establish a culture and create a Northwestern brand of baseball. The future is bright.
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