LAKE WALES, Fla. – Warner University Athletics is proud to announce the hiring of Addison Rouse as the new Head Coach of the Royals Baseball program. Rouse brings with him a proven track record of competitive success, player development, and academic excellence, shaped by impactful leadership at both the NAIA and NCAA Division II levels.

Rouse joins Warner following an impressive run as Head Coach at Saint Xavier University (Ill.), where he steadily elevated the Cougars' program. Named the fifth head coach in SXU baseball history in 2020, he built a foundation of success that spanned four seasons.

In 2023, Rouse led SXU to a 31-27 record, followed by a strong 2024 campaign where the Cougars finished 27-25, were crowned CCAC Tournament Champions, and advanced to the NAIA Opening Round. In 2025, he continued the program's upward trajectory with a 33-24 record, earning back-to-back CCAC Tournament Championships and another NAIA Opening Round appearance.

His most historic season came in 2022, when SXU finished 40-14-1, the program's first 40-win season since 2009. That year, Saint Xavier led the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) with eight All-Conference selections and produced the CCAC Freshman of the Year for the second consecutive season.

Rouse made an immediate impact in his debut season (2021), leading SXU to a 32-27 record and a berth in the NAIA Opening Round – Bellevue (Neb.) Bracket. His squad ranked No. 2 in the NAIA in total assists (564) and No. 6 in stolen bases (146)—the third-highest in program history. Under his leadership, the program also earned ABCA Academic Excellence Awards in consecutive years.

Prior to his time at SXU, Rouse served as Head Coach at Salem University (W.Va.), where he led the Tigers to a program-record in wins during the 2019 season and their best winning percentage since transitioning to NCAA Division II. His teams were honored with the ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award in three of his four years, and five student-athletes earned All-East Coast Athletic Conference selections.

Rouse began his collegiate head coaching career at Eastern Nazarene College (Mass.), producing multiple All-Commonwealth Coast Conference selections and mentoring the CCAC Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

A graduate of Brescia University (Ky.), Rouse was a standout student-athlete, capturing a KIAC championship, making two NAIA National Tournament appearances, and earning KIAC All-Academic Team honors.

"Coach Rouse brings a consistent record of excellence both on the field and in the classroom," said Warner University Athletic Director, Sean Hanrahan. "His championship pedigree, holistic approach to student-athlete development, and commitment to Christ-centered leadership make him an ideal fit to lead the future of Royals Baseball."

Please join us in welcoming Coach Addison Rouse to Warner University. 

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