Rowan University athletic director Joy Solomen announced the hiring of Juan Ranero as the institution's head baseball coach on June 20. The selection of Ranero marks his second stint as the head coach of the Rowan program.

Ranero coached the Profs for five seasons from 1994 to 1998 and compiled a 112-74-1 record. Under his leadership, Rowan advanced to the NCAA Regional Tournament three times (1996, 97, 98). In 1997, he was named the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Coach of the Year and received the Louisville Slugger Award for Excellence in Coaching.

“We are excited to welcome Juan back to the University,” said Solomen. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as a proven coach and I have confidence in his ability to lead this program. The program is in great shape from John Cole’s leadership and Juan will continue the winning tradition and ultimate goal of a national championship.”

“Over 10 years ago, I became a member of the Rowan community when I was hired as the baseball coach,” stated Ranero. “Having grown up in South Florida, I was unfamiliar with New Jersey athletics, the New Jersey Athletic Conference and even the Mid-Atlantic schools. But I was instantly impressed with Rowan’s staff and the tradition of excellence in athletics. The athletic department was supportive of one another, professional, and each coach was dedicated not only to the success of their own program, but to supporting the success of the department as a whole.”

“I feel honored to be given the opportunity to return to Rowan and again work with people of whom I have a great deal of respect,” Ranero continued. “Many of these people helped influence me as a coach. I am also excited to return to South Jersey with my family, where we were so happy living and where I was able to work with incredible athletes who competed at the national level. I look forward to the challenge of continuing the winning tradition of Profs baseball.”

Ranero, 41, returns to the University after four years at Division II Barry University (FL). In the spring, he guided the Buccaneers to an overall record of 34-21 and a 12-12 Sunshine State Conference mark. The .618 winning percentage this season and in 2004 are the team’s best percentages since the Bucs advanced to the NCAA South Region final in 1998. Ranero posted an overall record of 109-103-1 at Barry. 

Prior to Barry, Ranero was the head baseball coach and an instructor at Westminster Christian School for two years. He posted a 49-18 record and led the Warriors to two District Championships. The baseball team had a 28-7 record his last season and won its second straight district title before falling in the region final. In 2000, Westminister compiled a 21-11 record and won the district championship.

After the 1998 season, Ranero left Rowan to serve as recruiting coordinator and pitching coach at NCAA Division I Old Dominion University. Prior to coming to Rowan, he was an assistant baseball coach at Appalachian State University (NC) for four years. Ranero was also an assistant coach with the Yarmouth/Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod League for six summers.

In addition, he has served as an assistant coach at Miami-Dade Community College-Kendall Campus (1989), Alfred B. Maclay School (Tallahassee, FL) (1988-89) and South Miami High School (1985-87). He graduated from Florida State University in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and earned his master’s in physical education at Appalachian State University in 1992. Ranero transferred to Florida State after earning his associate’s from Miami-Dade Community College. He was a pitcher at Miami-Dade in 1984 and with the South Florida “Huskies” in the semi-pro baseball league in 1984-85.