CRESTON, Iowa – Southwestern Community College Athletics has announced the hiring of Tanner Olmstead as the program's new assistant baseball coach.

Olmstead joins the Spartans after building a strong foundation in player development through high school coaching and private instruction. His coaching experience includes serving as both a head and assistant coach with the Harrisburg Baseball Association in South Dakota, where he helped athletes improve both individually and as a team. He has also worked extensively as a private baseball instructor, tailoring instruction to meet each player's unique strengths and developmental needs.

A native of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Olmstead brings a passion for teaching the game and mentoring young athletes. His coaching philosophy emphasizes communication, accountability, adaptability, and helping players maximize their potential both on and off the field.

"Tanner has demonstrated a genuine passion for developing student-athletes," said Southwestern head baseball coach Mike Creason. "His experience working with players of different ages and skill levels, combined with his commitment to creating positive relationships, makes him an outstanding addition to our coaching staff. We're excited to welcome him to Spartan Nation."

Olmstead earned an Associate of Arts degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from Northeast Community College, graduating with honors and a 3.88 GPA as a pitcher on the baseball team for the highly-touted ICCAC foe. After transferring NCAA Division I, he later completed his bachelor's degree in Multidisciplinary Studies with a minor in Psychology at the University of Nebraska Omaha, graduating magna cum laude while earning multiple Dean's List and Chancellor's List honors, all while being a student-athlete.

In addition to coaching, Olmstead's background includes working directly with young people in educational and recreational settings, experiences that have helped shape his player-first approach to coaching and leadership. He has lived the life of many of our student-athletes, competing at the NJCAA with dreams of competing at the NCAA level.

"I'm very exciteed to have this opportunity to coach Spartan baseball and I'm ready to live the JUCO grind again," Olmstead said. "I look forward to helping our student-athletes grow as players, students, and people while contributing to the continued success of the baseball program."

Olmstead officially joined the Southwestern coaching staff this summer and will assist with all aspects of the Spartan baseball program, including player development, recruiting, practice planning, game preparation, and daily program operations.