Linfield University vice president for athletics Scott Brosius announced Wednesday that a transition is underway within the Linfield baseball program. Head coach Dan Spencer plans to step down June 30 and will turn the program over to longtime assistant and associate head coach Jordan Harlow.
 
"From both a personal and professional standpoint, I'm very sorry to see Dan move on," said Brosius. "I'm grateful for the dedication and passion Dan brought to our baseball program. He has been a tireless worker and a great ambassador for Linfield. While I'm sad to see him go, I look forward to seeing what's next for him and wish him and the entire Spencer family nothing but the best."
 
A three-year letterman and starting third baseman on Linfield's 2013 NCAA Division III national championship team, Harlow has spent the past nine seasons as a member of the baseball staff, either in the role of assistant coach or associate head coach.
 
"First, I want to thank Scott Brosius for trusting me to lead this program," he said. "Linfield has always been home for me. It's a place of strong tradition and championship expectations and the opportunity to serve as the next head baseball coach is humbling. I also want to thank Dan Spencer and wish him the very best in his next chapter. Dan has been a great mentor to me and I'm grateful for the opportunity I had to grow as a coach under his leadership.
 
"Finally, I want to thank my wife, Brynna, and my entire family for their support of my coaching journey. This was always the dream job. The Wildcat roots run deep in my family. I've been blessed to spend over 12 years as both a player and coach within this program, and I'm honored to be its next leader. We're all excited for what lies ahead."
 
Brosius is confident Harlow can continue the recent resurgence begun by Spencer.
 
"Jordan is a Wildcat through and through and understands what it takes to have success here. As a former player who has served as an assistant coach in our program for nearly a decade, he's ready to take the reins and drive Linfield baseball forward. I'm excited for Jordan and the future of Wildcat baseball."
 
As Spencer passes the torch to Harlow, the change in leadership is expected to be relatively seamless for currently players and incoming recruits. Harlow expects to collaborate with Spencer over the next six weeks to ensure a smooth transition, both for currently enrolled student-athletes as well as all prospective players who have been in contact with the coaching staff and others who are interested in joining the program.
 
Spencer was the head of the Linfield baseball program for six years, the first season of which was cut short by CoVID-19 cancelations. He took over a storied program that had fallen to last place in the Northwest Conference in 2019 and led the Wildcats back to prominence by winning a share of the conference championship three seasons later. Most recently, Linfield placed fourth in the NWC standings and competed in the NWC postseason tournament.
 
"Coaching college baseball players and recruiting college baseball players is all I have done for the last 35 years," said Spencer. "It is time for me to do something else. I am very proud of what our teams have accomplished and more importantly what our student-athletes have accomplished in the classroom and in their lives. Linfield baseball is in a good place. A place to jump off and do great things. I believe with a new voice and fresh ideas Coach Harlow is the right person to lead the Wildcats into the future. Jordan is a great person and he and his family love Linfield University."
 
In announcing his resignation, Spencer reflected on the close-knit community surrounding the Linfield baseball program.
 
"I want to thank all of the coaches and players that I have come in contact with at Linfield University for the effort and time put into pursuing our goal of being great. Linfield is a special place. I want to thank all of the baseball alumni who have been very generous with their time and treasure and let them know that our players could not have the experience they deserve without them.
 
"I want to personally thank Daniel Turpen, Joe Paterson and Jake Hoskins. It's very special to me that I got to coach with them. Thank you to Scott Brosius for being a great friend. I look forward to following the Wildcats in their pursuit of greatness."