Mike Pugliese

Biography

Mike Pugliese begins his fifth season on the Eastern Illinois baseball staff for 2026. He is responsible for coaching outfielders, assisting with offense, coaching first base and camp coordination. Under his coaching, the team has achieved significant success including a third NCAA Tournament appearance in Division I program history in 2023 when they played at the Vanderbilt Regional. He helped coach the team to a school record 38 wins and OVC Tournament Championship in 2023, and to the OVC regular season title in 2025 with a 31-8 record and 17-7 OVC mark. Pugliese has coached multiple All-OVC selections and helped develop players like Ryan Ignoffo (20th round MLB Draft pick by Miami Marlins in 2023) and Lucas Loos (school single season home run record holder). Prior to Eastern Illinois, he served as General Manager and Director of Player Development for the Illinois Travel Baseball Club from 2014-2021 and as Assistant Coach at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines, Illinois from 2020-2021. A native of Naperville, Illinois, Pugliese played baseball at Carthage College from 2011-2014.