Bio

Dan Gomez wrapped up his ninth season at the helm of the storied Western New England University baseball program in 2022, taking his team to his third CCC Championship series. 

Gomez would guide the Golden Bears to a 19-20-1 record on the season, picking up six wins during the regular season in conference play. WNE set out to a quick 2-0 start after a sweep of crosstown rival Springfield College. Gomez would help send his team to the CCC Championship game after picking up a home win as the five seed in the tournament over Suffolk University, before upsetting four seeded Nichols College on the road to make it to his third CCC Championship. Under the direction of the ninth year head coach, Gomez helped first year CJ Willis reach CCC Rookie of the Year and CCC All-Second team accolades. SP Kevin Hummer, SP Matt Lauria, and UTIL Aaron Cole all made the All-CCC teams under the direction of their head coach. 

In 2021, the Golden Bears finished the season with a 6-10-1 record, including five wins in CCC play. The Golden Bears began the season with a 9-6 win over Wentworth Institute of Technology on opening day. In the 2021 season, Gomez led RHP Kevin Hummer to first team all-conference in the CCC. 

In 2020, the Golden Bears went 3-4 before the remainder of the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Western New England started the season with a 9-8 win in 12 innings over Clark. The Golden Bears finished their season with another win as they defeated Brandeis 4-0. Five student-athletes received Academic All-Conference recognition.

In 2019, Gomez earned his third CCC Coach of the Year award after leading the Golden Bears to a 13-1 record in league play and the top seed in the CCC Tournament. Western New England received a conference-best 11 All-CCC selections, including six first team honorees. The Golden Bears led the CCC in batting average (.301), runs scored (295), walks (180), on-base percentage (.409), and slugging percentage (.431). 

Gomez guided Western New England to a banner season in 2018, as the Golden Bears (32-15) captured their sixth Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) title before making the program's 11th all-time appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament. Ten student-athletes received All-CCC honors, including the CCC Player of the Year in junior shortstop Alex Loparco and the CCC Pitcher of the Year in junior left-handed pitcher Bob Hamel. Additionally, Loparco, Hamel and junior Joe Cassella went on to garner All-Region recognition.

Western New England led the CCC in a number of statistical categories, including team earned run average (3.87), while the Golden Bears ranked second nationally in walks (266) and double plays (52), third in hit by pitch (92), tenth in runs (396), 11th in shutouts (six), 12th in stolen bases (115), and 16th in on-base percentage (.424). The team also received a national ranking for the third straight year following a 16-4 start to the season. Gomez was recognized by his peers for Western New England's successful campaign with his second CCC Coach of the Year award. 

The Golden Bears got off to a strong start in 2017, winning seven of eight games at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational en route to a Top-25 national ranking. Western New England went 10-6 in CCC play, earning the No. 3 seed in the CCC Tournament. Nine of Gomez's student-athletes earned Academic All-CCC recognition, while seven Golden Bears garnered All-CCC accolades for their performance on the field. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Bob Hamel collected All-Region honors from both D3baseball.com and the ABCA, and senior first baseman Dan Morin was selected as the CCC Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Gomez led Western New England to a 30-11 (13-3 CCC) record in 2016, the program’s first 30-win campaign since 2013, after being picked fifth in the CCC Preseason Coaches Poll. The Golden Bears opened the season on a program-best eight-game winning streak, which resulted in a No. 21 national ranking in the d3baseball.com/NCBWA Poll.

Western New England went on to clinch the top seed and hosting rights for the CCC Tournament, while six of Gomez’s student-athletes garnered All-Conference recognition. Additionally, four players earned NEIBA All-Region accolades, led by senior Eduardo Colmenares’ selection to the second team. Freshman lefthander Bob Hamel was rewarded for his impressive freshman campaign, earning ECAC New England Rookie of the Year honors. 

The 2016 season also included personal accomplishments for Gomez, as he was selected as both CCC Coach of the Year and ECAC New England Division III Coach of the Year for the first time in his career. 

Western New England led the Commonwealth Coast Conference in 2015 with four members on the first team - senior first baseman Steve Buckley and juniors second baseman Eduardo Colmenares, shortstop Kevin Marciano, outfielder Doug Milne. Catcher Matt Anziano also was named the CCC co-Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and WNE received the CCC Team Sportsmanship Award.

In 2014, Gomez was appointed to lead the team on an interim basis after contributing to the Golden Bears' national and regional success for the previous four seasons. He earned the job permanently after guiding WNE to the CCC championship game despite the fact that the Golden Bears had lost six starters in the lineup from the previous season.

He mentored all-CCC performers Steve Ambrosino, Mike Lospinuso, Trevor Breton, Kevin Marciano and Daniel Morin. Ambrosino and Breton also were selected D3baseball.com All-New England. In addition, Brendan Nugent joined Ambrosino as first-timers on the Capital One Division III Baseball Academic All-District® I First Team by the College Sports Information Directors' of America.

Gomez had served as WNE's top assistant coach since 2010, working primarily with the Golden Bears catchers and hitters. He also handled the team's travel arrangements and recruiting.

At Western New England, Gomez has helped the Golden Bears capture three CCC championships, four NCAA Division III Baseball Championship tournament appearances (including the 2011 College World Series and 2012 New England Regional runner-up), and a 148-49 record (.751) from 2010 to 2013.

A resident of suburban East Longmeadow, Gomez graduated from Endicott College in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in sports management. He was a four-year member of the Gulls' baseball team and an All-CCC selection. He was the team co-captain and most valuable player as a senior when he batted .336 and had team highs of 10 doubles and 31 runs batted in.

Gomez was also a prep coach for the East Longmeadow (Mass.) High School junior varsity baseball team in 2009.

Dan Gomez Coaching Record at Western New England (9 Seasons)