Head Coach - Jonathan Freemyer
While at KWU Freemyer coordinated and tracked community service hours, organized and led academic efforts, led in recruitment, helped with community fundraising, and was in charge of the program’s social media accounts.
Prior to his time at KWU, Freemyer was an assistant coach at NCAA Division II Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU) in Alva, Okla. from 2014 to 2017 under head coach Sam Carel. In 2016-2017, he was named the program’s recruiting coordinator.
During his time at NWOSU, Freemyer coached three all-conference players in Matt Benn (2015), Thomas Bess (2016) and B.A Castro (2017). The 2016 Rangers set the school record for the most conference wins in the Great American Conference (GAC) and the 2017 team achieved the first GAC sweep in school history.
Before entering coaching, Freemyer spent a year in professional baseball in the Tampa Bay Rays organization with The Florida Complex League Rays. Prior to 2021, the team was known as the Gulf Coast League Rays. He signed as an undrafted free agent, playing both infield and outfield. Freemyer had to retire due to a battle with Rhabdomyolysis but witnessed first-hand how one of the top professional teams operated and developed their players.
Freemyer graduated from NWOSU with a bachelor of science in criminal justice with a minor in communications in 2014 and a masters of arts in american studies in 2017. He was a three year letterman on the diamond and a four year letterwinner on the basketball court for the Rangers.
He was the first athlete in the GAC to earn first team honors in two sports. Freemyer finished his basketball career in the top five in NWOSU history in points, rebounds, and steals. As a senior on the diamond, Freemyer was named GAC Player of the Year, set the GAC home run record, and was the first NCAA Division II All-American in NWOSU history with his Third Team NABC selection.
- Fifth season as head coach of the OU baseball program.
- Has an overall and OU coaching record of 142-70 and a KCAC mark of 96-45.
- Coached one NAIA All-American, two KCAC Pitchers of the Year, one KCAC Freshman of the Year, six KCAC Gold Glove selections, and 30 All-KCAC performers.
- Led the 2025 team to an NAIA Opening Round
- The Braves broke and or tied nine single season team records in 2025 and four in 2026.
While at KWU Freemyer coordinated and tracked community service hours, organized and led academic efforts, led in recruitment, helped with community fundraising, and was in charge of the program’s social media accounts.
Prior to his time at KWU, Freemyer was an assistant coach at NCAA Division II Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU) in Alva, Okla. from 2014 to 2017 under head coach Sam Carel. In 2016-2017, he was named the program’s recruiting coordinator.
During his time at NWOSU, Freemyer coached three all-conference players in Matt Benn (2015), Thomas Bess (2016) and B.A Castro (2017). The 2016 Rangers set the school record for the most conference wins in the Great American Conference (GAC) and the 2017 team achieved the first GAC sweep in school history.
Before entering coaching, Freemyer spent a year in professional baseball in the Tampa Bay Rays organization with The Florida Complex League Rays. Prior to 2021, the team was known as the Gulf Coast League Rays. He signed as an undrafted free agent, playing both infield and outfield. Freemyer had to retire due to a battle with Rhabdomyolysis but witnessed first-hand how one of the top professional teams operated and developed their players.
Freemyer graduated from NWOSU with a bachelor of science in criminal justice with a minor in communications in 2014 and a masters of arts in american studies in 2017. He was a three year letterman on the diamond and a four year letterwinner on the basketball court for the Rangers.
He was the first athlete in the GAC to earn first team honors in two sports. Freemyer finished his basketball career in the top five in NWOSU history in points, rebounds, and steals. As a senior on the diamond, Freemyer was named GAC Player of the Year, set the GAC home run record, and was the first NCAA Division II All-American in NWOSU history with his Third Team NABC selection.
Associate Head Coach - Ethan Wilson
Coach Wilson is in his second season as an assistant coach with the OU baseball team. He will work with the Brave pitchers.
Wilson comes to Ottawa University from Kansas Wesleyan University where he was an assistant coach with the Coyote baseball team from 2022 to 2024. As a KWU baseball coaching staff member, Wilson was a graduate assistant, pitching coach, recruiting coordinator, and varsity reserve head coach. KWU captured the 2023 and 2024 KCAC regular season championship and he led the KWU varsity reserve team to a 2024 KCAC Championship. The Coyotes also qualified for three straight NAIA Opening Round appearances and advanced to the 2024 NAIA Baseball World Series.
During his time at KWU, Wilson interned at Thackerville High School in the summer of 2021, assisting with football and baseball. He also was the strength and conditioning coach.
Wilson was a three-year member of the KWU baseball team. In 2021 he tied the KWU school record for most appearances in a single season. In 2022, Wilson had a record of 3-1 and threw over 40 innings.
Before attending KWU, Wilson attended Northern Oklahoma College – Tonkawa. In his two seasons at NOC-Tonkawa, he had a record of 9-1, mainly as a reliever. Wilson finished with a 3.91 ERA and threw over 50 innings his sophomore season. He helped NOC-Tonkawa reach a top 5 ranking in the nation each of his two seasons.
Wilson earned his MBA with an emphasis in sports administration from Kansas Wesleyan University in May 2024. He graduated from KWU with a degree in exercise science in May 2022. Wilson was a member of SAAC and FCA. He earned his associate in science from NOC-Tonkawa in May 2019.
Assistant Coach - Mason Graves
Coach Graves is in his first season as an assistant coach with the OU baseball program.
Graves joins Ottawa after spending the summer of 2026 as an assistant coach with the Greenville Yard Gnomes of the Coastal Plain League, where he served as the team’s offensive coordinator and third base coach. He directed the club’s offensive system, prepared scouting reports, threw batting practice, and helped lead one of the league’s top offenses. Through 21 games, the Yard Gnomes led the league with 113 stolen bases and ranked second with 154 runs scored.
Graves joins a Braves program that has compiled a record of 77-30 over the past two seasons and has established itself among the NAIA’s top programs on both sides of the ball. Ottawa has ranked among the national leaders in several offensive and pitching categories while using an aggressive approach on the bases to consistently place pressure on opposing defenses. Graves’ experience developing hitters, coordinating offensive systems, and teaching baserunning will complement the foundation established by Freemyer and the Braves’ coaching staff as Ottawa looks to continue its success on the conference and national levels.
Prior to his time in the Coastal Plain League, Graves spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Johnson University in Knoxville, Tenn., serving as the program’s hitting and infield coach while coaching third base. He coordinated the daily development of the position players, directed the team’s offensive philosophy, and helped guide the Royals to unprecedented success.
Johnson finished 36-18 in 2025 and earned the first NAIA Opening Round appearance in program history. The Royals followed with a 40-14 record in 2026 and advanced to their first NAIA World Series. During his tenure, Johnson produced multiple all-conference hitters and Gold Glove infielders. The Royals scored 809 runs and stole 336 bases over the two seasons.
Before Johnson, Graves served as an assistant coach at Lincoln Memorial University from 2022 to 2024. He coached the outfielders, oversaw baserunning instruction, assisted with the hitters, coordinated prospect camps, and gained recruiting experience.
The Railsplitters recorded back-to-back 30-win seasons and made consecutive conference championship series appearances during his tenure. The 2024 offense set program records in home runs, doubles, and slugging percentage while producing the South Atlantic Conference Player of the Year and Southeast Region Player of the Year. Graves’ baserunners successfully stole 222 bases in 267 attempts during his two seasons at Lincoln Memorial.
Graves also worked as the Southeast Regional Tournament Director for Perfect Game, where he managed team registrations, scheduling, payments, lodging, and tournament operations for hundreds of teams competing throughout the region.
A native of Schertz, Texas, Graves earned a Master of Business Administration in Sport Management from Lincoln Memorial University in 2024 after receiving his Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management from Point University in 2020.
As a student-athlete, Graves played baseball at Shorter University and Point University. He served as a two-year team captain at Point and was a member of the 2019 Appalachian Athletic Conference Champions of Character Team.Coach Graves is in his first season as an assistant coach with the OU baseball program.
Graves joins Ottawa after spending the summer of 2026 as an assistant coach with the Greenville Yard Gnomes of the Coastal Plain League, where he served as the team’s offensive coordinator and third base coach. He directed the club’s offensive system, prepared scouting reports, threw batting practice, and helped lead one of the league’s top offenses. Through 21 games, the Yard Gnomes led the league with 113 stolen bases and ranked second with 154 runs scored.
Graves joins a Braves program that has compiled a record of 77-30 over the past two seasons and has established itself among the NAIA’s top programs on both sides of the ball. Ottawa has ranked among the national leaders in several offensive and pitching categories while using an aggressive approach on the bases to consistently place pressure on opposing defenses. Graves’ experience developing hitters, coordinating offensive systems, and teaching baserunning will complement the foundation established by Freemyer and the Braves’ coaching staff as Ottawa looks to continue its success on the conference and national levels.
Prior to his time in the Coastal Plain League, Graves spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Johnson University in Knoxville, Tenn., serving as the program’s hitting and infield coach while coaching third base. He coordinated the daily development of the position players, directed the team’s offensive philosophy, and helped guide the Royals to unprecedented success.
Johnson finished 36-18 in 2025 and earned the first NAIA Opening Round appearance in program history. The Royals followed with a 40-14 record in 2026 and advanced to their first NAIA World Series. During his tenure, Johnson produced multiple all-conference hitters and Gold Glove infielders. The Royals scored 809 runs and stole 336 bases over the two seasons.
Before Johnson, Graves served as an assistant coach at Lincoln Memorial University from 2022 to 2024. He coached the outfielders, oversaw baserunning instruction, assisted with the hitters, coordinated prospect camps, and gained recruiting experience.
The Railsplitters recorded back-to-back 30-win seasons and made consecutive conference championship series appearances during his tenure. The 2024 offense set program records in home runs, doubles, and slugging percentage while producing the South Atlantic Conference Player of the Year and Southeast Region Player of the Year. Graves’ baserunners successfully stole 222 bases in 267 attempts during his two seasons at Lincoln Memorial.
Graves also worked as the Southeast Regional Tournament Director for Perfect Game, where he managed team registrations, scheduling, payments, lodging, and tournament operations for hundreds of teams competing throughout the region.
A native of Schertz, Texas, Graves earned a Master of Business Administration in Sport Management from Lincoln Memorial University in 2024 after receiving his Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management from Point University in 2020.
As a student-athlete, Graves played baseball at Shorter University and Point University. He served as a two-year team captain at Point and was a member of the 2019 Appalachian Athletic Conference Champions of Character Team.
Graves joins Ottawa after spending the summer of 2026 as an assistant coach with the Greenville Yard Gnomes of the Coastal Plain League, where he served as the team’s offensive coordinator and third base coach. He directed the club’s offensive system, prepared scouting reports, threw batting practice, and helped lead one of the league’s top offenses. Through 21 games, the Yard Gnomes led the league with 113 stolen bases and ranked second with 154 runs scored.
Graves joins a Braves program that has compiled a record of 77-30 over the past two seasons and has established itself among the NAIA’s top programs on both sides of the ball. Ottawa has ranked among the national leaders in several offensive and pitching categories while using an aggressive approach on the bases to consistently place pressure on opposing defenses. Graves’ experience developing hitters, coordinating offensive systems, and teaching baserunning will complement the foundation established by Freemyer and the Braves’ coaching staff as Ottawa looks to continue its success on the conference and national levels.
Prior to his time in the Coastal Plain League, Graves spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Johnson University in Knoxville, Tenn., serving as the program’s hitting and infield coach while coaching third base. He coordinated the daily development of the position players, directed the team’s offensive philosophy, and helped guide the Royals to unprecedented success.
Johnson finished 36-18 in 2025 and earned the first NAIA Opening Round appearance in program history. The Royals followed with a 40-14 record in 2026 and advanced to their first NAIA World Series. During his tenure, Johnson produced multiple all-conference hitters and Gold Glove infielders. The Royals scored 809 runs and stole 336 bases over the two seasons.
Before Johnson, Graves served as an assistant coach at Lincoln Memorial University from 2022 to 2024. He coached the outfielders, oversaw baserunning instruction, assisted with the hitters, coordinated prospect camps, and gained recruiting experience.
The Railsplitters recorded back-to-back 30-win seasons and made consecutive conference championship series appearances during his tenure. The 2024 offense set program records in home runs, doubles, and slugging percentage while producing the South Atlantic Conference Player of the Year and Southeast Region Player of the Year. Graves’ baserunners successfully stole 222 bases in 267 attempts during his two seasons at Lincoln Memorial.
Graves also worked as the Southeast Regional Tournament Director for Perfect Game, where he managed team registrations, scheduling, payments, lodging, and tournament operations for hundreds of teams competing throughout the region.
A native of Schertz, Texas, Graves earned a Master of Business Administration in Sport Management from Lincoln Memorial University in 2024 after receiving his Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management from Point University in 2020.
As a student-athlete, Graves played baseball at Shorter University and Point University. He served as a two-year team captain at Point and was a member of the 2019 Appalachian Athletic Conference Champions of Character Team.Coach Graves is in his first season as an assistant coach with the OU baseball program.
Graves joins Ottawa after spending the summer of 2026 as an assistant coach with the Greenville Yard Gnomes of the Coastal Plain League, where he served as the team’s offensive coordinator and third base coach. He directed the club’s offensive system, prepared scouting reports, threw batting practice, and helped lead one of the league’s top offenses. Through 21 games, the Yard Gnomes led the league with 113 stolen bases and ranked second with 154 runs scored.
Graves joins a Braves program that has compiled a record of 77-30 over the past two seasons and has established itself among the NAIA’s top programs on both sides of the ball. Ottawa has ranked among the national leaders in several offensive and pitching categories while using an aggressive approach on the bases to consistently place pressure on opposing defenses. Graves’ experience developing hitters, coordinating offensive systems, and teaching baserunning will complement the foundation established by Freemyer and the Braves’ coaching staff as Ottawa looks to continue its success on the conference and national levels.
Prior to his time in the Coastal Plain League, Graves spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Johnson University in Knoxville, Tenn., serving as the program’s hitting and infield coach while coaching third base. He coordinated the daily development of the position players, directed the team’s offensive philosophy, and helped guide the Royals to unprecedented success.
Johnson finished 36-18 in 2025 and earned the first NAIA Opening Round appearance in program history. The Royals followed with a 40-14 record in 2026 and advanced to their first NAIA World Series. During his tenure, Johnson produced multiple all-conference hitters and Gold Glove infielders. The Royals scored 809 runs and stole 336 bases over the two seasons.
Before Johnson, Graves served as an assistant coach at Lincoln Memorial University from 2022 to 2024. He coached the outfielders, oversaw baserunning instruction, assisted with the hitters, coordinated prospect camps, and gained recruiting experience.
The Railsplitters recorded back-to-back 30-win seasons and made consecutive conference championship series appearances during his tenure. The 2024 offense set program records in home runs, doubles, and slugging percentage while producing the South Atlantic Conference Player of the Year and Southeast Region Player of the Year. Graves’ baserunners successfully stole 222 bases in 267 attempts during his two seasons at Lincoln Memorial.
Graves also worked as the Southeast Regional Tournament Director for Perfect Game, where he managed team registrations, scheduling, payments, lodging, and tournament operations for hundreds of teams competing throughout the region.
A native of Schertz, Texas, Graves earned a Master of Business Administration in Sport Management from Lincoln Memorial University in 2024 after receiving his Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management from Point University in 2020.
As a student-athlete, Graves played baseball at Shorter University and Point University. He served as a two-year team captain at Point and was a member of the 2019 Appalachian Athletic Conference Champions of Character Team.
Graduate Assistant - Jackson Alaniz
Coach Alaniz is in his first season as a graduate assistant coach with the Ottawa University baseball program.
Alaniz was a two year letterwinner for OU, earning Second Team All-KCAC honors in 2025. In his two seasons as a Brave, Alaniz played in 88 games, making 83 starts. He hit .355 (98-276), scored 32 runs, hit 26 doubles, one triple and 14 home runs. Alaniz drove in 72 runs, had a .609 slugging percentage, walked 25 times, was hit by a pitch 17 times had a .435 on base percentage, and stole three bases. He finished his career at OU with 550 put outs, 37 assists, and a .983 fielding percentage.
Before coming to OU, Alaniz spent two seasons at Cerro Coso Community College where he appeared in 86 games. He hit .240 (70-292), scored 49 runs, and hit 11 doubles, one triple, and one home run. Alaniz had 55 RBI, walked 42 times, had a .361 on-base percentage, and a .305 slugging percentage.
Alaniz graduated in May of 2025 from Ottawa University with a degree in sports leadership. He is working on his MBA in leadership development.
Alaniz was a two year letterwinner for OU, earning Second Team All-KCAC honors in 2025. In his two seasons as a Brave, Alaniz played in 88 games, making 83 starts. He hit .355 (98-276), scored 32 runs, hit 26 doubles, one triple and 14 home runs. Alaniz drove in 72 runs, had a .609 slugging percentage, walked 25 times, was hit by a pitch 17 times had a .435 on base percentage, and stole three bases. He finished his career at OU with 550 put outs, 37 assists, and a .983 fielding percentage.
Before coming to OU, Alaniz spent two seasons at Cerro Coso Community College where he appeared in 86 games. He hit .240 (70-292), scored 49 runs, and hit 11 doubles, one triple, and one home run. Alaniz had 55 RBI, walked 42 times, had a .361 on-base percentage, and a .305 slugging percentage.
Alaniz graduated in May of 2025 from Ottawa University with a degree in sports leadership. He is working on his MBA in leadership development.
Graduate Assistant - Dylan Garcia
Coach Garcia is in his first season as an assistant coach with the Ottawa University baseball program.
Garcia was a two year letterwinner for the Braves, earning First Team All-KCAC honors in 2025 as a utility player. In his two seasons as a Brave, Garcia played in 103 games, making 96 starts. He hit .330 (107-324), scored 73 runs, hit 29 doubles and 18 home runs, drove in 78 runs, had a .586 slugging percentage, a .442 on base percentage, and stole 13 bases. Garcia had 492 put outs, 29 assists, only committed four errors in 103 games, and had a .992 fielding percentage.
Before coming to Ottawa, Garcia spent a season at Vernon College and Garden City Community College. He was an All-Conference performer at GCCC.
Garcia was the first member of his family to graduate from college, earning his degree in business administration from Ottawa University in May of 2025. He is earning his MBA.
Garcia was a two year letterwinner for the Braves, earning First Team All-KCAC honors in 2025 as a utility player. In his two seasons as a Brave, Garcia played in 103 games, making 96 starts. He hit .330 (107-324), scored 73 runs, hit 29 doubles and 18 home runs, drove in 78 runs, had a .586 slugging percentage, a .442 on base percentage, and stole 13 bases. Garcia had 492 put outs, 29 assists, only committed four errors in 103 games, and had a .992 fielding percentage.
Before coming to Ottawa, Garcia spent a season at Vernon College and Garden City Community College. He was an All-Conference performer at GCCC.
Garcia was the first member of his family to graduate from college, earning his degree in business administration from Ottawa University in May of 2025. He is earning his MBA.
