2010 Baseball Coaches
John Govek Image
John Govek - Head Coach - 4th Season

Govek enters his fourth season this spring at the helm of the Saints' baseball program after serving as the head coach at his alma mater of Div. III Lakeland College in Sheboygan, Wis., for the previous two seasons.

In his most recent year, Govek oversaw development of his senior sluggers, Brian Cummings and Jake Steve, who went on to become All-Midwest Collegiate Conference selections. He increased the team's win total by eight games from a year ago and had five members of his squad land academic all-conference accolades.

During his tenure at Lakeland College, Govek helped the team to a fifth-place finish in the Div. III NCAA College World Series in 2002, back-to-back regional bids (2002, 2003) and four consecutive Lake Michigan Conference titles (2001-04). He also coached two players who would later sign professional contacts.

He guided the Muskies to a 29-51 mark in two years, working his way up to head coach with four years of experience as an assistant coach before taking the reins as head coach at Lakeland College.

Govek's playing experience was at Lakeland College where he was part of back-to-back Lake Michigan Conference Tournament titles as a first baseman and right-handed pitcher. Govek obtained his degree in business administration and currently resides in Clinton, Iowa.

The Govek File

  • Student Assistant Baseball Coach - Lakeland College (Wis.) (2000)
  • Assistant Baseball Coach - Lakeland College (Wis.) (2001-03)
  • Head Baseball Coach - Lakeland College (Wis.) (2004-06)
  • Head Baseball Coach - Ashford University (2006-Present)

The Saints Under Govek (2006-Present)

Year
W-L
MCC
Pct.
Conf. Finish
2006-07
9-39
5-21
.188
N/A
2007-08
3-41
1-22
.068
9th
2008-09
11-31
4-20
.262
9th
Totals
23-111
10-63
.172


 
Brian Swanson Image
Brian Swanson - Assistant Coach - 3rd Season

Swanson is in his first year with Ashford University baseball program as an assistant coach and second overall with the Saints. He also serves as AU's Intramurals Director on campus.

A native of Aniwa, Wis., and a graduate of Antigo High School, Swanson started his collegiate playing career as a first baseman and right-handed pitcher for Madison Tech, where he went on to be part off a team that would make back-to-back NJCAA Div. II regional appearances (2001-03). The 2001-02 team finished its season with an appearance in the super regionals.

Swanson was named Madison Tech's Male Athlete of the Year at the conclusion of the 2002-03 campaign. Upon completion of his associate's degree from Madison Tech, Swanson transferred to Lakeland College where he played under the guidance of current Ashford Head Coach John Govek. Swanson then finished his collegiate career as a student-assistant coach under Govek.

Swanson assists the Saints by spending a majority of his time working on hitting and with the infielders. He is currently working towards his master's degree in Organizational Management. Swanson currently resides in Clinton, Iowa.

The Swanson File

  • Assistant Baseball Coach - Lakeland College (2005-06)
  • Graduate Assistant Baseball Coach - Ashford University (2007-09)
  • Assistant Baseball Coach - Ashford University (2009-Present)
 
Darryl Cochran Image
Darryl Cochran - Assistant Coach - 5th Season

Ashford baseball assistant coach Darryl Cochran enters his 11th year as the head varsity coach at Camanche High School in Camanche, Iowa, and his fourth season assisting the Saints' program. He has won over 150 games at the varsity level and is averaging nearly 15 wins per season.

Since joining the Big East Conference in 2004, under Cochran, Camanche has won two conference titles, recorded two second-place finishes and a third-place performance. He has produced eight all-state players, 17 all-district performers and 54 all-conference players. 11 of his players have gone on to play at the collegiate level.

In 2008, Cochran was named the head coach of the Big East squad in the Big East vs. Eastern Iowa Hawkeye Senior All-Star Challenge. In 2006, he was selected by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association as one of the assistant coaches for the Small Schools East Squad in the 30th annual All-Star Series held in Clinton, Iowa, at Alliant Energy Field. Cochran served as an assistant on Camanche's 1996 state-qualifying baseball team.

Cochran is a graduate of Northeast Missouri State University, now Truman State (1985-88), receiving his Bachelor of Arts and Master's degree in education. He also earned his A.A. degree from Iowa Central Community College (1983-84).

Cochran resides in Camanche, Iowa, with his wife and three children.

The Cochran File

  • Assistant Baseball Coach - Lesterville (Mo.) High School (1987-91)
  • Head Sophomore/Assistant Varsity Baseball Coach - Camanche High School (1993-98)
  • Head Varsity Baseball Coach - Camanche High School (1999-Present)
  • Assistant Baseball Coach - Ashford University (2005-Present)
 
Josh Brandt Image
Josh Brandt - Grad Assistant - 1st Season

Brandt officially joined the Ashford baseball staff as a graduate assistant coach for the 2010 season in January. He brings extensive coaching and playing experience to the table for the Saints.

Brandt is a native of St. Paul, Minn., and a recent graduate of Loras College in Dubuque. He underwent Tommy John surgery in the summer of 2008, ending a short career as a pitcher at Briar Cliff University and Loras.

Brandt has spent the last two years serving the DuHawks' baseball program as a student assistant coach.

Brandt graduated with his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sports Management last December from Loras College. He currently resides in Clinton.

The Brandt File

  • Student Assistant Coach - Loras College (2008-09)
  • Graduate Assistant Baseball Coach - Ashford University (2010-Present)