Story by Trevecca Nazarene Athletics


NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Trevecca Nazarene University baseball program is changing leadership for the first time since the university moved to the NCAA Division ll era. The new top Trojan is a familiar face, Chase Sain. 

Sain, who is a native of Bolivar (TN), was named as the new head coach on Monday, August 17 after being with the program as an assistant for the last three seasons. 

Trevecca athletic director Mark Elliott commented on his most recent hire, "Chase Sain assisted in shaping this program's identity and the ensuing culture of 'family' for the past three years. He unquestionably has the backing of the players, parents, and administration." 

"He will carry on our commitment to 'Christian-Scholar-Athlete'. Eight years ago, we gave Ryan Schmalz his first head coaching position at age 32. Chase Sain reminds me a lot of Ryan Schmalz ... and that's an excellent thing."

Sain, 33, is the tenth head coach of the Trevecca baseball program. In his first season he will lead the Trojans into their 51st season of baseball on the Hill. 

The new Trojan head coach thanked his new direct report for handing the reigns over to him, "To Mark Elliott, I appreciate you taking a chance on me. The confidence you have in me has been overwhelming, and I wouldn't want it to come from any other place." 

Sain takes the reigns from his former boss, Ryan Schmalz, who led the program for the last eight seasons. Schmalz recently resigned as head coach to move to a new career direction outside of baseball that will allow him to spend more time with his family.

Schmalz, who hired Sain before the 2017-2018 season, commented on Sain being the next man to lead the program, "Chase is going to do a terrific job of leading the Trojan Baseball Program. He has the respect of the players, parents, alums, and those surrounding the program." 

"He has done a great job recruiting and developing players and will do a terrific job of taking the Trevecca Baseball program to the next level," Schmalz said. "The current and future Trojans are lucky to have Chase as their leader."

Coach Sain knows a coach is never alone and the support goes far deeper than just his new coaching staff, but throughout the campus and also the people who invested him along the way, "And to the other assistant coaches and our players, thank you guys for the support and prayers. I love what I do, and a big part of that is because of you all."

"I'd like to recognize the TNU coaches and our Athletic Department, thank you for welcoming Shelby and me the way that you have while I fulfill this position. We are humbled by it all." 

"Lastly, to all the coaches I've played for and coached under, you've all made an indefinite impact on my life, and I won't ever forget it."

Chase Sain Resume 

Before joining the Trojan coaching staff, Sain was an assistant at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville for the 2017 season. The Vols catching coach also served as the director of camps. He helped head coach Dave Serrano lead the Big Orange to a record of 27-25.

For two seasons (2016, 2015), Sain served on the staff at Middle Tennessee State University, where he served as an assistant under Blue Raider head coach Jim McGuire. Sain in the area of hitting, catcher coach, and coordinator of camps. 

In the summer of 2014, Sain added to his resume coaching in the Cape Cod League as the hitting coach for the Hyannis Harbor Hawks.    

For the 2013-2014 season, his coaching journey took him to nearby Victory University, where he served as the hitting coach and recruiter for the Eagles of head coach John Jarnagin. Victory finished 31-24 and placed fourth in the Small College World Series.

Sain served as a student-assistant coach for Head Coach Daron Schoenrock at the University of Memphis for two seasons. While at his alma mater, he coached catchers and assisted with coaching hitters. He created offensive and defensive drills while prepping pitchers inside the bullpen during games. 

Sain graduated from Memphis with a bachelor's in interdisciplinary studies in August 2013. 

Sain was a three-year letter winner on the University of Memphis baseball team. He started his coaching career as a student assistant for two seasons. As a catcher, Sain worked closely with pitching coach Fred Corral and the Tiger catchers throughout the season. 

Sain was a four-year letter winner at Bolivar (TN) Central High School. The three-year starting catcher earned All-District, All-Region and All-West Tennessee honors in the 2005 season. Sain hit .440 with five home runs and 30 RBI in his senior campaign. His hitting acumen is manifest by his record 29-game hit streak at Bolivar.