UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State women's soccer Head Coach Erica Dambach announced the promotion of volunteer assistant Daniel Baker to become the program's third full-time assistant coach for the upcoming 2023 season on Tuesday afternoon. The addition follows an NCAA rule change that took effect on July 1 that permits for a third assistant on staff.
"I am so thrilled to bring Daniel into our Nittany Lion women's soccer family as a full-time assistant coach," Dambach said. "His contributions in the spring were extremely valuable to our program, and he has already proven to be an incredible asset to our student-athletes and his fellow coaches. His positive attitude and commitment to our core values makes him an ideal addition to our staff, and I can't wait to see all that we will accomplish with Daniel on board."
Baker was elevated to the program's third full-time assistant position, joining Associate Head Coaches Ann Cook and Tim Wassell on Dambach's acclaimed staff. Baker joined the Nittany Lions as a volunteer assistant in February of 2023, aiding in internal video recording and review during PSU's spring activities. He was instrumental in the preparation and execution of Penn State's spring practices while aiding in the program's ID and summer camps in University Park.
"I am truly humbled and grateful to be the newest member of this program," Baker expressed. "Thank you to Erica, (Associate Head Coach) Ann (Cook), Associate Head Coach Tim (Wassell), (Director of Operations and Performance Leadership) Kara (Cook) and the players for welcoming me into the family and giving me an opportunity to join a terrific group of people. It's an honor to represent Penn State women's soccer as we enter the 2023 season. I look forward to carrying on the legacy and tradition of those who came before me, while developing and helping the current student-athletes perform at their very best on and off the field."
Before arriving in Happy Valley, Baker served as the Director of Player Analysis for the Xavier Musketeers women's soccer program over the course of the 2022 fall campaign. He assisted with video analytics, travel coordination, opponent scouting and social outreach. Xavier published an unbeaten 2022 season in Big East Conference play with a 6-0-4 record, ultimately placing second in the league behind the Georgetown Hoyas. XU reached the 2022 NCAA Tournament with Baker on staff, winning its opening round test before falling to the Pittsburgh Panthers in the second round.
While a student at his alma mater, Indiana Wesleyan, Baker assisted as a student coach for the university's women's soccer program. During his time with the Wildcats, Baker was responsible for developing and training the team's goalkeepers, including 2021 NAIA Honorable Mention All-American Hope Stacker. Baker also has experience as both a staff coach and soccer trainer with KingsHammer SC and X Factor Futbol, aiding young athletes in technical soccer development.
Baker graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University in April of 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities at the institution's honors college. While at Indiana Wesleyan, Baker additionally earned an associate degree in business administration. He maintains a D License from the United States Soccer Federation in addition to a Goalkeeping Level 1 Diploma from United Soccer Coaches.
Penn State's roster is slated to officially report back to University Park on Tuesday, August 1. PSU will spend two weeks in preseason training with a pair of home exhibitions against Lehigh and Georgetown before kicking off the 30th season of Nittany Lion women's soccer on Thursday, August 17. The Blue & White open the 2023 campaign on Jeffrey Field against the defending national runner-up North Carolina Tar Heels.
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The 30th Season of Penn State women's soccer is presented by the Smeal College of Business.
