The league also draws some of the top up-and-coming coaching talent from across the country who are looking to develop themselves, just like the players, into the future stars of the college and professional coaching ranks. The Northwoods League has become a hotbed for excellent coaching. Many of the league’s coaches were once MLB and Minor League Baseball players and coaches including Twins star Al Newman, Donnie Scott, Duffy Dyer and former skipper for the New York Mets, Terry Collins.

HEAD COACH: MITCHELL GALLAGHER

Gallagher started his career in baseball on the field as an infielder. In college he spent two years at Pepperdine, winning two West Coast Conference championships and making two regional final appearances and one super regional appearance. He then spent two years at Xavier, taking home a Big East Championship and making another regional final appearance. Gallagher also spent time as a player in the Northwoods League, playing for the Bismarck Larks in their inaugural season.

After his time as a collegiate baseball player, Gallagher continued his love for the sport as the infield coach at Palomar College. During his lone season at Palomar he had three players drafted and 14 sophomores move on to 4-year schools, 11 of them going to Division 1 institutions. In 2020, Gallagher made his first coaching appearance in the Northwoods League as the Head Coach of the Bismarck Bull Moose. Three players from the 2020 Bull Moose team have since been drafted.

Gallagher’s most recent coaching experience is as the Recruiting Coordinator at Eastern Florida State College, one of the top Junior College Baseball programs in the country. In his first season with the team he had one player drafted and 12 sophomores move on to 4-year institutions.

FIRST BASE COACH: ELI BRUM

Coach Brum is a former catcher from Bakersfield, California. He played behind home plate for California State University, Bakersfield, from 2019 to 2021. He continued his baseball journey with the Bismarck Bullmoose under the guidance of Coach Mitch Gallagher.

Brum’s coaching journey spans over five years with the Bakersfield Waves and a year with the prestigious Garciapara Baseball Group in Los Angeles. He also has a season of high school coaching under his belt.

Currently, Brum serves as a Graduate Assistant at Hinds Community College in Raymond, Mississippi, where he specializes in working with catchers and hitters. 2024 marks his second summer with the Minot Hot Tots.