HEAD COACH – Dave Garcia

David Garcia, a long-time junior college head coach who also has experience at the independent professional level, Garcia (pronounced GARSH- shuh ) joins the SWIC program after making three-consecutive trips to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) World Series as the head coach at Parkland College in Champaign, Ill. In July he was named as the Head Coach of the SWIC Blue Storm Baseball Program after spending the 2019 season at Western Carolina University as the team’s hitting coach. 

Over five seasons at Parkland, Garcia compiled a record of 214-88-2 as the head coach, guiding the Cobras to three-straight appearances in the NJCAA Division 2 World Series including a national runner-up finish in 2018. The 2017 squad finished with a 53-8 overall record, placing third nationally. Over his final two seasons, Parkland won a combined 98 games.

Garcia was two-time Mid-West Athletic Conference (MWAC) Coach of the Year selection in 2016 and 2017 and collected Region 24 Coach of the Year three-straight seasons from 2016 to 2018. He mentored five NJCAA All-America selections while at Parkland with four players taken in the MLB Draft. He also moved 47 players to NCAA Division I programs from the junior college level.

While at Parkland in a full-time capacity, Garcia also helped supervise the athletic facilities, while also working with the fitness center and teaching kinesiology classes.

Garcia got his coaching start at Putnam County High where he served as the head baseball coach and athletic director. Over a seven-year period, Garcia posted an overall record of 124-51. He guided PCHS to appearances in the 1-A state baseball tournament in 2011 and 2013, leading the Panthers to the Sweet 16 in 2011 and a state runner-up finish in 2013. While a prep coach, he helped over 25 players move on to intercollegiate baseball.

Garcia also has eight years of professional baseball coaching experience. He spent four years with the independent Frontier League-member River City Rascals in O’Fallon, Missouri, where he was the bench coach for the 2010 squad that won the league championship. He was also a part of setting a league record with 68 regular season wins in 2011, again as the bench coach while adding assistant hitting coach duties.

Garcia spent a season with the Joliet (Ill.) Slammers as the hitting coach and working with the catchers, as well as working a couple seasons with the Normal (Ill.) Cornbelters as an assistant and hitting coach, both of the Frontier League. He was scheduled to serve as the Windy City Thunderbolts Pitching coach for the COVID season of 2020z

From 2017-2018, Garcia worked as an associate scout with the Los Angeles Dodgers, providing reports on potential prospects from his region that included the Big 10, Missouri Valley Conference, and junior college teams.

All told, 23 of the players he mentored over eight seasons in the independent league went on to sign with an MLB affiliated team.

A Granville, Ill., native, Garcia played collegiate baseball at Parkland College from 1998-2000 before venturing to Northern Illinois for baseball. Following his senior season, he signed a professional contract to play in the Frontier League with the Rockford (Ill.) Riverhawks.

Baseball Office: 618-235-2700, ext. 5371

Email Address:  david.garcia@swic.edu

Adam Donachie-3^rd Base Coach/Catching Coach

Adam Donachie’s playing career was comprised of 15 professional seasons as a catcher, first baseman, and third baseman. He was drafted in 2002 in the second round by the Kansas City Royals. Over his nine seasons in affiliated baseball, he progressed to AAA in the Baltimore Orioles organization (3 Big League Spring Training Invites) and up to AA with the Kansas City Royals organization (5 Big League Spring Training Invites). In 2012, he signed with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League (Independent) and played 5 seasons with them. In 2017 he shifted to a player-coach role with the team, thus beginning his coaching career. Since 2017 he has coached at Chicago State University and has been the catching coordinator for the Nexen Heroes of the Korean Baseball Organization. Adam is looking to continue to teach the game at a high level.

Coach Garcia’s Quote on Coach Donachie:

“We are extremely lucky to add a baseball mind like Adam to the staff.  His experience both as a player and as a coach successfully at such high levels will be huge asset to our players both on the field and off.  Adam will work primarily with our defense specializing in developing our catchers and our corner infielders. Having over a decade of professional playing experience to go along with coaching collegiately  and internationally, his knowledge will contribute to the SWIC Program’s success immediately”

Jacob Claspille-Recruiting Coordinator

Coach Garcia’s Quote on Coach Claspille:

“Coach Claspille is a huge resource for our program.  He brings an incredible amount of knowledge of player development techniques/programs that will greatly impact our players throughout the year. He has experience both collegiately and professionally.  He will add a new element to our training techniques and statistical driven player development to our program”

Jeff Wetzler – Hitting Coach/Strength and Conditioning Coach

The Newburgh, Indiana native, is in his 1st year as the Blue Storm’s Hitting, Strength, and Conditioning Coordinator. 

Before joining Coach Garcia’s staff, Jeff was the Head Coach for Combine Academy’s High School baseball team. In 2022, Combine Academy went 31-7, and was ranked as high as 12th in the nation. 

Jeff began his coaching career at Parkland College in 2018 and spent three and a half years as Parkland’s Hitting Coach and Strength and Conditioning Coordinator. During his coaching stint at Parkland, he helped move on 17 players to NCAA Division I, 9 to Division II, and 7 to NAIA level schools. 

Jeff attended McKendree University where he played baseball and majored in Sport Management. 

Prior to transferring to McKendree, Jeff spent two years playing for Coach Garcia at Parkland College. Including a trip to the NJCAA Baseball World Series in 2016. 

Jeff is a 2014 graduate of Castle High School.

Jeff is the son of Kevin and Teri Wetzler. 

Kevin Muendlein – Outfield Coach

A lifelong Belleville native. The 2023 season is Coach Muendleins 2nd season on the Blue Storm staff.  “Coach Kev” handles the defensive development of the Blue Storm Outfield.  His two sons, Corey and Aaron (Ace) both played at SWIC for Coach Neil Fiala.

Trevor Minder – Infield Coach

The Springfield, Illinois native is in his first year coaching collegiate baseball. He was a 2017 graduate of Springfield High and went on to play baseball at Parkland College. Following this stint in Champaign, he attended Tulane as a member of the baseball program. After three years in New Orleans, he received a degree in health and wellness but ultimately decided to continue his career in baseball. Currently the shortstop for the Boise Hawks of the Pioneer League, he spends his free time working with SWIC infielders and hitters

Casey Fair / Assistant Pitching Coach

– From Bethalto, IL 

– Resides in Collinsville, IL 

– Pitched @ Illinois College 

– Director of Pitching for Turn 2 & Extreme BSC 

– 3 yr Assistant coach @ Collinsville HS 

– 5 yr HC for Extreme Elite 

– 2nd year with SWIC