SMSU Athletics

Jeremy Ische is in his third season as head coach at Southwest Minnesota State University in 2026, following two solid seasons in the Mustang dugout. In his first season in 2024, Ische lead the club to 27 victories, tied for the eighth highest single-season total in team history, a spot in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Tournament, including the program's first tournament victory since 2014.
 
Ische was named the sixth head coach in program history on June 15, 2023, following five years as head coach at Upper Iowa University. He has a record of 50-48 in two seasons at SMSU and is 107-173 in seven seasons as a head coach overall.
 
Ische is no stranger to the NSIC having served as an assistant coach at SMSU for two seasons (2013-14) before spending seven seasons as an assistant and head coach at UIU.
 
During his first season at SMSU in 2024, Ische helped lead the Mustangs to a sixth-place finish in the NSIC and secure the program’s second straight appearance in the NSIC tournament. It was the first time SMSU qualified for back-to-back league tournaments since 2009-10.
 
SMSU set numerous individual and team records during the 2024 season and earned several big victories. The Mustang pitching staff set a team record with 420 strikeouts, while the Mustang defense recorded a team record 1,203 putouts and closed with a .968 fielding percentage ranking as the second highest in program history.
 
The Mustang offense racked up 807 total bases, 508 hits and 54 home runs, all ranking second in team history, while the club’s 95 doubles and 349 runs scored, both rank seventh in team history.
 
SMSU’s win over Minnesota State on the final day of the regular season snapped a 19-game losing streak in the series and earning its first win over MSU since 2014.
 
SMSU senior shortstop Chase McDaniel set a team single season record with 90 base hits and during the season became the program’s all-time hits leader. McDaniel, along with Kolby Kiser, Owen Latendresse and Isaac Nett all earned All-NSIC first team honors.

Following the 2024 season, Kiser, McDaniel and Nett all signed professional baseball contracts.

In 2025, the Mustangs, despite featuring a line-up with seven new starters, battled for a spot in the league tournament until falling just short on the final weekend of the season. The SMSU offense cracked out 432 hits scored 311 runs, and racked up 670 total bases, with all three ranking among the top 14 in team single-season history. SMSU was hit by a school record 74 pitches in 2025, while the 52 home runs slugged by the club ranks tied for fourth all-time. The SMSU pitching staff featured a .264 opponents batting average, ranking as the second lowest in team history.

Ische registered 57 career victories at UIU and had its best season under Ische in 2023, finishing with a 19-27 record, including 15-19 in NSIC play. The Peacocks earned victories in 2023 over Augustana and St. Cloud State, both of whom advanced to the NCAA tournament.
  
During his tenure as UIU head coach, Ische was instrumental in raising important dollars for the program, including raising more than $100,000 the last two years. He has also helped to maintain Robertson Woods Field, the home field for UIU baseball, as one of the top ballparks in the NSIC. The field earned the Pioneer Field of Excellence Award in 2022.
 
During his first season as head coach in 2019, UIU improved offensive production in 12 offensive categories, while Duncan Snider was twice named NSIC Pitcher of the Week. Snider concluded his career in 2021 and now pitches in the San Diego Padres organization. UIU had one All-NSIC second team honoree in 2019, a pair of Peacocks were named to the 2021 NSIC All-Defensive team, while Ryan Hull was named to the 2023 NSIC All-Defensive team. Under the direction of Ische, a total of 89 UIU baseball student-athletes have been named Academic All-NSIC in five seasons.
  
Prior to taking over as head coach at UIU, Ische served as pitching coach and recruiting coordinator for the Peacocks during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. He helped the development of pitcher Brett Fanning, who was named All-NSIC second team following the 2018 campaign.
 
Ische started his collegiate coaching career in 2012 spending one season at St. Cloud Technical and Community College. The team won 43 games, captured the NJCAA Region XIII championship and advanced to the NJCAA World Series for the first time in program history.
 
Following his one season at SCTCC, Ische moved to SMSU where he spent two seasons as an assistant coach in 2013-14. The Mustangs won 44 games during his two seasons on staff, including an appearance in the NSIC Tournament in 2014. SMSU had three hitters earn all-region and one receive All-American honors during his tenure, while the 2014 team led the NSIC in home runs and was second in triples.
 
Ische spend the 2015 and 2016 seasons as assistant coach at Luther College. The Norse made its first conference appearance in four seasons in 2015, while the 2016 squad set a school record for victories (34) and advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the first time in 10 years.
 
Originally from Norwood Young America, Minn., Ische played two seasons (2007-08) at North Iowa Area Community College, where he earned all-region honors. He then spent three seasons (2009-11) at St. Cloud State University, while earning a bachelor's degree in sport management and recreation.
  
Jeremy and his wife, Eryn, have a daughter, McKynlee and sons, Jett and Wells.