TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Northeastern State baseball coach Travis Janssen has completed his RiverHawk coaching staff for 2011-2012 with the naming of Mike Nisco and Dusty Hess.

“I couldn't be any more excited about what Mike and Dusty bring to our program,” said Janssen, who was named NSU's head coach this past June. “Both display an enthusiastic attitude and work-ethic, which are two traits that will be needed for us to be as good as we can be.

Nisco will handle the RiverHawks' pitching staff, plus assist with the strength and conditioning program and help in developing an extensive recruiting foundation.

The 26-year-old pitched four years (2003-2007) at St. Mary's College in Moraga, Ca., where he was nominated to be a member of the school's All-Decade Team.

“Mike not only has a background as a starting pitcher, but also a reliever at the Division I level,” said Janssen. “Knowing what it's like to pitch in both roles will be a benefit for our staff.” 

After his collegiate experience, Nisco played in the professional Italian Baseball League for De Angelis Godo, where he also helped coach the pitching staff.

This past year Nisco coached at De La Salle (Ca.) High School where he inherited a pitching staff with a 4.50 team ERA and reduced that figure to 1.91 in his first year as his club reached the league's championship game.

Raised in the San Francisco East Bay Area, Nisco also coached at the 18U and 16U level with the Concord Zephyrs this past summer, plus assisted for a collegiate team in the Sacramento Rural League and Horizon Air Summer Series in Northern California.

Hess, a native of Manhattan, Kan., will join Janssen in handling the daily hitting activities, plus will be in charge of the outfielders and also assist with the recruiting efforts. 

“Dusty is as passionate of young coach as you will find.  He is very excited to be here, and I'm just as excited to work with him.  He is passionate about hitting and passionate about players getting better.  That is exciting to me to have a coach with that attitude.  Dusty comes from a fantastic baseball family.  His dad is somebody that has been a mentor to me and somebody that I couldn't respect more,” said Janssen.  Don Hess is the head coach at Manhattan High School who has gone to the 6A state tournament numerous times and won two State Championships. 

After Manhattan High School, Hess played at Fort Scott Community College before focusing on his coaching career that has included stops with Manhattan High School, the Manhattan American Legion program and the Midwest Wolverines over the last five years.

In 2011, the 24 year-old Hess was a member of the Kansas State University baseball staff. 

“That experience in a Big 12 program, headed by Brad Hill, was great experience for Coach Hess.  I have to believe that experience will benefit our program here at NSU,” said Janssen.

Both coaches are currently working on their Master's Degree in Health and Kinesiology at NSU.

Nisco is the son of Bob and Bernie Nisco, and has a sister, Summer, and a brother, Joey.

Hess is the son of Don and Linnea Hess, and has an older brother, Ben, and a younger brother, Garrett.