Daniel Baker

Bio

Daniel Baker joined the Kansas soccer staff in December 2023. He comes to Kansas after spending the 2023 season as an assistant coach at Penn State.

Baker became a member of the Penn State staff in February 2023 as a volunteer assistant coach before being promoted to a full-time assistant coach in July 2023. Baker was in charge of assisting in set piece coordination, helping with recruiting, along with scouting, game plan implementation, data tracking and assessment and analysis for the nationally-ranked Nittany Lions.

Penn State had an incredibly successful 2023 season, posting a 16-3-4 overall record and a 6-1-3 mark in Big Ten Conference play, bolstered by a 5-1-2 mark against ranked opponents during the season. The Nittany Lions advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018. Baker helped coach Big Ten Defender of the Year and Second Team All-American Cori Dyke, as well as four All-Big Ten performers in Eva Alonso, Katherine Asman, Kaitlyn MacBean and Kate Wiesner.

Baker helped with internal video recording and review during Penn State’s spring activities before his promotion. He was instrumental in the preparation and execution of Penn State’s spring practices while aiding in the program’s ID and summer camps.

Prior to Penn State, Baker served as the Director of Player Analysis at Xavier for the 2022 season. He assisted with video analytics, travel coordination, opponent scouting and social outreach. Xavier published an unbeaten 2022 season in BIG EAST play with a 6-0-4 record, and went on to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

While a student at his alma mater, Indiana Wesleyan, Baker assisted as a student coach. During his time with the Wildcats, Baker was responsible for developing and training the team’s goalkeepers, including 2021 NAIA Honorable Mention All-American Hope Stacker. Baker also has experience as both a staff coach and soccer trainer with KingsHammer SC and X Factor Futbol, aiding young athletes in technical soccer development.

A native of Sparta, New Jersey, Baker graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University in April 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in sports management and a Bachelor of Arts in humanities at the institution’s honors college. While at Indiana Wesleyan, Baker also earned an associate degree in business administration. He holds a D License from the United States Soccer Federation in addition to a Goalkeeping Level 1 Diploma from United Soccer Coaches.

Baker is married to his wife, Jessica.

Baker’s Coaching Career Highlights:
• Helped Penn State advance to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament in 2023, the program’s first since 2018
• Assisted Penn State in being ranked the No. 1 RPI team during the 2023 season and finished the year at No. 4 in RPI
• Advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2022 while at Xavier
• Helped Indiana Wesleyan qualify for three national tournaments and two Crossroads League Championships
• Developed one All-American goalkeeper at Indiana Wesleyan