2024 MoonDogs Coaching Staff
Danny Kneeland – Manager 
COACH EMAIL: dkneeland8@gmail.com
CURRENTLY: Associate Head Coach at Bethany Lutheran College
HOMETOWN: Windom, MN
HIGH SCHOOL: Windom Area HS
COLLEGE: Bethany Lutheran
Kneeland, 29, took over as the manager of the MoonDogs before the second half of the 2022 season. Entering his fourth season as MoonDog Manager, as well as his third full season at the helm, MoonDog Manager Danny Kneeland looks to continue the success he found with Mankato after piloting the club to a 96-73 record, 14 All-Stars (9 in one-year NWL record), 16 players on professional contracts, and 7 players hearing their name’s called on draft day.
Currently an Associate Head Coach at Bethany Lutheran College, where he played for four seasons in 2013 to 2017, Kneeland just wrapped up his fifth year on staff for the Vikings.
During his time as a player at BLC, Kneeland would finish top-ten in program history with 497 putouts (second place), 17 caught stealings (3rd place), and 23 stolen bases (8th place). Playing in 100 career games over four seasons, Kneeland slashed .258/.352/.266 with 21 career RBI and 58 career hits. Across his time with the program, Kneeland proved to be a versatile player, appearing at catcher, second base, third base, and right field.
Kneeland graduated from Bethany Lutheran following his playing Kneeland playing at BLC career in 2017 with a degree in Secondary Social Studies Education. During his time at BLC, he has helped the team to five winning seasons, 37 all-conference players, and two conference championships.
Ben Maes (Assistant Coach)– Ben Maes is entering his first season with the Mankato MoonDogs for the 23-24 season. Ben is from Bethany Lutheran College and played baseball for two years for the squad, then transitioned into part of the coaching staff. He has been coaching at Bethany Lutheran for 2 years and counting!
Conor Merton (Pitching Coach)– Conor Merton is in his second year with the MoonDogs! Conor was an intern last year for the MoonDogs as the trackman. He was also on a temp deal with the MoonDogs for the end of the season last year. Conor is from Bethany Lutheran College and spent 3 years on the squad as a left-handed pitcher! This past season at Bethany Lutheran College, he spent as an assistant pitching coach.
Brendan Hord (Hitting Coach)– Brendon Hord is entering his first season on the Mankato MoonDogs coaching staff as a Catcher Coach. Previously, Brendan has played two years on the MoonDogs squad and appeared in the All-Star Game, and Home Run Derby, in 2023. Brendan is currently a grad student at the University of Evansville, where he plays on the baseball team as a catcher.