Central Michigan University Athletics
Staff Directory
Jonathan Vance
- Title:
- Director of Pitching Performance
- Email:
Jonathan Vance is in his second year on coach Jake Sabol’s Central Michigan baseball staff, serving as the director of pitching performance, working directly with pitching coach Aaron Hilt and the pitching staff.
In his first season on Sabol’s staff, Vance helped oversee a three-game improvement in wins by the Chippewas from 2024 to 2025 and an improvement in virtually every statistical category both at the plate and on the mound. CMU outfielder Zach Knowlton was named to the 2025 Mid-American Conference All-Defensive Team after posting a .995 fielding percentage.
Among the highlights of Vance’s first season with the Chippewas was a road victory over Michigan State, the Team Academic Excellence Award from the American Baseball Coaches Association, and five Chippewas were named to the Academic All-District Team and four earned Academic All-MAC honors.
Before joining the Chippewas, Vance spent two seasons at Northwood where he worked under Sabol.
In 2023, Vance served as the pitching coach when the Timberwolves won the Great Midwest Athletic Conference regular season and tournament championships and qualified for the NCAA Division II Tournament. Northwood led the conference in earned run average, strikeouts, walks allowed, and innings pitched. Six Northwood pitchers earned all-conference honors including All-American left-hander Derek Clark.
In 2024, the Timberwolves again qualified for the NCAA Tournament and placed three pitchers on the all-conference team and two earned all All-Midwest Region honors. Closer Jake Jekielek was drafted in the 10th round of the 2024 Major League Baseball draft.
In 2022, Vance served as the pitching coach of the Royal Oak Leprechauns of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League. He served as the Leprechauns head coach in 2023 and then led them in their inaugural season (2024) in the Northwoods League.
He also worked with the Detroit Tigers and Cincinnati Reds organizations coaching in their respective summer youth development camps.
A native of Claremont, Calif., Vance played at East Los Angeles College and Valley City (N.D.) State. He pitched for three seasons in independent professional baseball in the Frontier League, the American Association, and the Atlantic League.
Vance resides in Mount Pleasant.
In his first season on Sabol’s staff, Vance helped oversee a three-game improvement in wins by the Chippewas from 2024 to 2025 and an improvement in virtually every statistical category both at the plate and on the mound. CMU outfielder Zach Knowlton was named to the 2025 Mid-American Conference All-Defensive Team after posting a .995 fielding percentage.
Among the highlights of Vance’s first season with the Chippewas was a road victory over Michigan State, the Team Academic Excellence Award from the American Baseball Coaches Association, and five Chippewas were named to the Academic All-District Team and four earned Academic All-MAC honors.
Before joining the Chippewas, Vance spent two seasons at Northwood where he worked under Sabol.
In 2023, Vance served as the pitching coach when the Timberwolves won the Great Midwest Athletic Conference regular season and tournament championships and qualified for the NCAA Division II Tournament. Northwood led the conference in earned run average, strikeouts, walks allowed, and innings pitched. Six Northwood pitchers earned all-conference honors including All-American left-hander Derek Clark.
In 2024, the Timberwolves again qualified for the NCAA Tournament and placed three pitchers on the all-conference team and two earned all All-Midwest Region honors. Closer Jake Jekielek was drafted in the 10th round of the 2024 Major League Baseball draft.
In 2022, Vance served as the pitching coach of the Royal Oak Leprechauns of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League. He served as the Leprechauns head coach in 2023 and then led them in their inaugural season (2024) in the Northwoods League.
He also worked with the Detroit Tigers and Cincinnati Reds organizations coaching in their respective summer youth development camps.
A native of Claremont, Calif., Vance played at East Los Angeles College and Valley City (N.D.) State. He pitched for three seasons in independent professional baseball in the Frontier League, the American Association, and the Atlantic League.
Vance resides in Mount Pleasant.
Football Insider - 10.24.25
Friday, October 24
Chippewa Check-In
Friday, October 24
2025-26 MBB Preseason Press Conference - Phat Phat Brooks & Logan McIntire
Tuesday, October 21
2025-26 MBB Preseason Press Conference - Head Coach Andy Bronkema
Tuesday, October 21
