University of Dayton Athletics

Experience: Fifth Season at Dayton
Alma Mater: Manchester College '07

Matt Talarico is in his fifth season as an assistant coach with Dayton baseball. His responsibilities include overseeing hitting and offensive production, as well as baserunning.

Last season, Dayton continued their impressive base running under Talarico. The Flyers ranked 14th in the nation in steals per game and 15th in the nation in steals. Senior Robby Sunderman led the team with 21 steals. 

In his first two seasons with the Flyers, Talarico made a significant mark by implementing an aggressive base running system which obliterated the Dayton record books and became nationally distinguished.
   
In 2011, Dayton’s 121 stolen bases was the first time in program history that UD recorded over 100 steals in season. All-American Brian Blasik tied a school record for steals in a season (23) while C.J. Gillman was just one behind with 22. As a team, UD ranked seventh in the nation in total stolen bases (121) and seventh in stolen bases per game (2.05). The Flyers were just as productive in 2012, leading the nation once again in stolen bases with 164.

Talarico, a native of Fort Wayne, Ind., spent one year as Toledo’s volunteer assistant coach overseeing the outfielders as well as assisting with base running and bunting. He also served as the Rockets’ first-base coach, and coordinated UT’s baseball camps.

He went to Toledo in 2009 after two highly successful seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Division III Heidelberg in nearby Tiffin, Ohio. During the 2008 and 2009 seasons, the Student Princes posted a combined 78-19 record and advanced to the NCAA Tournament each season, winning both the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) regular season and tournament titles.

Prior to coaching at Heidelberg, Talarico played four seasons at Manchester College in North Manchester, Ind. He helped guide Manchester to a 124-54 record from 2004-07, while claiming two Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Regular Season Championships (2004, 2006) and two tournament titles (2004, 2005). Manchester advanced to the NCAA Regional's on three occasions (2004, 2005, 2006) and made an appearance in the Division III World Series in 2004. In his final season, Talarico was named first-team all-conference and third-team All-Mideast Region.

Talarico attended Bishop Dwenger High School. He graduated from Manchester with a degree in history in 2007. Talarico continued his studies at Heidelberg and earned a master's of arts in education.