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 Head
Coach - Duane Monlux (7th Season)
The 2008 season will mark the 7th season for head coach Duane Monlux, 32. Monlux began his coaching career at Dickinson State in the fall of 2001. His overall coaching record at Dickinson State is 150-108-1 (.581). Monlux has seen an incredible turnaround in his six years as Dickinson State’s head coach. After inheriting a team that went 6-30 the year before his arrival, Monlux’s first team in 2002 doubled their win total from the previous season and have been on a steady rise ever since. The Blue Hawks claimed back-to-back DAC regular season and DAC tournament titles during the 2007 and 2006 seasons. For his efforts, Monlux was named the ABCA NAIA Region III and DAC Coach of the Year for 2007 and 2006. The 2007 squad set a DSU single season record for winning percent (.756), wins with 34, and finished the season with a 34-11 mark. The Hawks’ winning percentage of .756 during the 2007 season was the 12th best winning percent in the NAIA (out of 215 baseball schools).
Monlux has led the Blue Hawks to their only four NAIA Region III tournament berths in school history (2007, 2006, 2004, and 2003). The 2007 squad became the third team in school history to win at least 30 games when the team finished 34-11. The 2007 and 2003 team both finished 2nd at the NAIA Region III tournament.
In his first six seasons, Monlux has coached numerous players that have been honored with post-season accolades. Five of his players have been named NAIA All-Americans, seven named to the NAIA All-Region III baseball team, 12 1st team All DAC selections, and 20 2nd team All DAC selections. In addition, Monlux has coached one DAC MVP, one DAC Pitcher of the Year, one NAIA All-American Scholar Athlete, and 17 DAC scholar athletes. He has had one player sign a pro contract.
Monlux is very active in the baseball community. He is a member of the ABCA (American Baseball Coaches Association), the AFCA (American Football Coaches Association), and is also a member of the Dickinson Baseball Board. Monlux has put on youth baseball clinics in Dickinson the past five years. In addition, Monlux is the Chair of the DAC coaches and is also the NAIA national baseball rater for the DAC.
Monlux has put a major emphasis on recruiting while at Dickinson State. He believes building a tradition here at DSU starts with getting great recruits. “It’s important to build a tradition by bringing in quality student athletes that know the game and play the game at a high level,” says Monlux.
A Gillette, Wyoming native, Monlux graduated from Dickinson State University in the spring of 1999 with a bachelor of science degree in composite science and physical education. After graduation he attended Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska where he earned his master's degree in secondary education.
Before he went to graduate school, Monlux was Dickinson High School's head baseball coach from 1998 to 1999. Monlux watched his 1998 Dickinson High team struggle through a 2-22 year in the school’s inaugural baseball season. However, the next year the team made a remarkable turnaround as they finished 23-12, winning the West Region tournament and advancing to the semi-final game at the state tournament. Monlux was an assistant coach for the Dickinson Eagles American Legion baseball team for two summers before his stint as head coach for Dickinson High.
Monlux participated in football, baseball, and basketball while attending Dickinson State. He received the H.J. Wienbergen Dickinson State Male Athlete-of-the-Year award for the 1997-98 school year. He was twice named to the NDCAC All-Conference baseball team. In addition, he was a three-time 1st team All-Conference football player and a two-time NAIA football All-American. In 1995, he led the nation in kickoff return average (33.7 yards per return). He ranks second in Dickinson State football history for touchdowns scored in a career (43) and points scored in a career (262). Monlux played professional football in the National Indoor Football League for four seasons as a wide receiver. He played two seasons for the Wyoming Cavalry and two seasons for the Bismarck Roughriders. He was named the NIFL Wide Receiver of the Year in 2001.
Along with his baseball coaching duties, Monlux is also an assistant football coach and an assistant professor in the HPER department. He resides in Dickinson with his wife, Roxi, infant son Easton, and dog Crash.
Duane Monlux’s Coaching Record at Dickinson State
2007 34-11 (.756) DAC Record 13-1; DAC Regular Season and Conference Tourney Champions; NAIA Region III Runner-Up
2007 NAIA Region III and DAC Coach of the Year
2006 33-21 (.611) DAC Record 13-5; DAC Regular Season and Conference Tourney Champions; 5th place Region III Tourney
2006 NAIA Region III and DAC Coach of the Year
2005 22-20 (.523) DAC Record 11-13; 6th place DAC Regular Season; 3rd place DAC Tourney
2004 31-19 (.620) DAC Record 17-11; 2nd place DAC Regular Season; 3rd place Region III Tourney
2003 18-23-1 (.439) DAC Record 12-10; 5th place DAC Regular Season; NAIA Region III Runner-Up
2002 12-14 (.461) DAC Record 10-12; 4th place DAC Regular Season; 4th place DAC Tourney
Total 150-108-1 (.581) DAC Record 76-52 (.594)
Assistant Coach – Adam Hurlbert (1st Season)
Adam begins his first season on the Blue Hawk staff after an excellent two-year career as DSU’s starting shortstop. Hurlbert was a two-time 1st team All DAC selection and an All-Region and an All-American selection as a junior. He had a career batting average of .354 with 26 stolen bases. He finished with a fielding percent of .931, committing just 28 errors in 99 games. Adam joined the Hawks after a two-year stint at Porterville College in California.
Adam is finishing his degree in business management. He will be working with the infielders and hitters this season.
Assistant Coach – Ed Warren (1st Season)
Ed is joining the Hawk staff after a successful two-year stint. Warren joined DSU after attending Napa Valley College in California. He was a two-time All-Conference selection for the Blue Hawks. He was named to the NAIA Region III team and NAIA All-American after his junior season. Ed was a career .372 hitter with the Hawks and added 12 homeruns, 24 doubles, nine triples, and 74 RBI over two seasons.
Warren graduated last spring with a university studies degree. Ed will be working with the outfielders and hitters.
Assistant Coach – Rory Tycoles (1st Season)
Tycoles has been with the Hawks for four seasons as a player and is beginning his first year on the Blue Hawk coaching staff. Rory was a part-time starter for DSU until his senior year when he took over the spot at first base. He was named 2nd team All DAC as a senior after posting a .409 batting average.
Rory is on track to finish his degree as a biology/physical education major. He will be working with the catchers and pitchers this season.
Assistant Coach – Danny Reyes (1st Season)
Danny joins the staff after being a regular starter for the Hawks the past two seasons. He began his career at Gavilan College in California before joining DSU his junior season. He was a two-time 2nd team All DAC selection as an outfielder. He posted a .306 batting average over his DSU career with seven homeruns and 65 RBI.
Reyes is finishing with degree as a business major with an accounting minor. Reyes will work with the outfielders and hitters this spring.
Assistant Coach – Benny Martinez (1st Season)
Martinez begins his DSU coaching career after playing two years for the Hawks. Martinez came to Dickinson State after two seasons at Lassen College in California. He played first base for the Hawks. He only committed just two errors out of 396 chances (.995 percent) while at DSU. Benny hit .316 with six homers and 27 RBI as a junior.
Martinez is a finishing with physical education degree. He will be working with the corner infielders and hitters this year. |
