Murray State University Athletics
Baseball
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- msu.baseball@murraystate.edu
- Phone:
- (270) 809-4892
Dan Skirka will enter his eighth season as Murray State’s head baseball coach in 2025-26, continuing a tenure defined by historic milestones and sustained success. Since taking over the program, Skirka has compiled a 209-152 record and guided the Racers to the most accomplished stretch in school history, highlighted by a conference championship, an NCAA Regional title, a Super Regional title and the program’s first-ever College World Series appearance.
Skirka delivered a landmark season in 2025, leading Murray State to a program-record 44 wins and its first trip to Omaha. Along the way, the Racers captured their first Missouri Valley Conference championship and notched their fifth consecutive 30-win campaign, while also setting nine single-season team records. Skirka also helped develop MLB-bound talent, including Will Vierling, who was selected in the MLB Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies, Jonathan Hogart, who signed with the Phillies organization as an undrafted free agent, and Isaac Silva, who signed with the Baltimore Orioles organization as an undrafted free agent.
Skirka and the Racers enjoyed standout year in 2024, posting 37 wins, then the second-most in program history. Skirka coached two more draft picks as Cade Vernon and Drew Vogel were selected by the San Francisco Giants and Houston Astros, respectively, in the 2024 MLB Draft. That season also continued Murray State’s momentum in its new conference home, as the Racers earned another 30-win season in just their second year in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Skirka’s teams have consistently combined production and efficiency, including a strong 2023 campaign that produced another 30-win season and featured an offense that ranked among the MVC leaders in triples (18) while finishing near the top of the league in runs, RBIs and walks drawn. That same club also limited damage on the mound, allowing the fewest home runs in the conference. In 2022, Murray State’s final season in the Ohio Valley Conference, the Racers ranked among the league’s top teams in both home runs and stolen bases, with Jake Slunder leading the OVC in triples. In 2021, Skirka led Murray State to a 33-28 record, a program-best 18 OVC wins and a trip to the OVC Championship game, as multiple Racers earned all-conference honors and the team produced some of the league’s top power and speed numbers.
Skirka returned to Murray State ahead of the 2019 season after previously serving on the Racers’ staff from 2009-14 under former head coach Rob McDonald. During that earlier stint, he served as recruiting coordinator and helped produce eight All-OVC selections, including the 2014 OVC Pitcher of the Year, Brock Downey, while also working with 2010 OVC Player of the Year and Murray State Hall of Famer Wes Cunningham.
Prior to becoming a Division I head coach, Skirka spent four highly successful seasons at Walters State Community College in Morristown, Tennessee, where he served as recruiting coordinator. During his time with the Senators, Walters State posted a 208-48 record and advanced to the NJCAA World Series championship game in 2018 while finishing 60-8. Skirka helped build rosters that consistently ranked among the best in the nation, developing high-level talent that moved on to Power-5 programs, NCAA Division I opportunities and professional baseball, including dozens of players who signed with Division I schools and multiple MLB draft picks. He also spent the 2008-09 season at Ouachita Baptist working under former Murray State player Chris Moddelmog, and he began his collegiate coaching career at Grand Rapids Community College in 2007-08, where his team advanced to the NJCAA World Series.
As a player, Skirka starred at Grand Valley State, earning Rawlings/American Baseball Coaches Association All-Region First-Team honors as a senior after hitting .400 with 14 doubles, five triples, seven home runs and 43 RBIs. He was also named First-Team All-GLIAC and earned recognition as the school’s Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2007. Skirka began his collegiate career at Kellogg Community College, where he was a team captain and helped lead the Bruins to a conference championship.
Beyond the collegiate game, Skirka has also worked with the Prospect Development League at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, a collaborative effort between Major League Baseball and USA Baseball designed to help elite amateur players develop and gain exposure.
A 2007 magna cum laude graduate of Grand Valley State, Skirka earned his bachelor’s degree in group social studies before completing his master’s degree in human development and leadership at Murray State in 2010. He and his wife, Kelsey, have one son, Keegan.
