Head Coach Bryan Shepherd
Bryan Shepherd begins his 11th season as Head Baseball Coach at NJC. In his first eight seasons, the Plainsmen have won 298 games, including setting a school record for wins with 44 in 2011, and winning their first Region IX Championship in 2009. In 2008, the team was nationally ranked for the first time in program history, at 14th.
Shepherd comes to NJC from Oklahoma, where he spent 6 years as an assistant coach at Oklahoma Christian University and 1 season at National Runner-Up Oklahoma City University as a pitching coach. He also spent 2 summers as head coach of the Oklahoma City Sox, a summer team in the Red River Collegiate Wood Bat League. The Sox finished in 11th place both summers at the NBC World Series is Wichita, Kansas. The summer prior to joining the Plainsmen, he was the pitching coach for the Canton Coyotes, an independent professional team in the Frontier League.
Coach Shepherd played his college ball at Seward County Community College and for the Liberal Bee-Jays (summer), before a shoulder injury ended his career.
Originally from Rapid City, SD, he, his wife Neala, daughter Camden (9) and son Braxton (3) now reside in Sterling.
Assistant Coach Trevor Varley
Trevor Varley joins Head Coach Bryan Shepherd for his third season on the Northeastern Junior College staff. Trevor is very familiar with Coach Shepherd’s coaching style, having played against Shepherd at McCook Community College and spending a summer playing for Shepherd with the Parker Xpress. Trevor is a native of Central City, Nebraska and brings a wealth of experience as a player and coach to the baseball program.
Trevor’s playing career included one year at York College (NE), one year at McCook Community College(NE), and two years at Peru State College(NE). Trevor also spent a summer in Parker, Co under the direction of Coach Shepherd with the Parker Xpress. Trevor graduated from Peru State College in Nebraska with honors (cum laude), with a degree in Sports Management. Trevor was the staff pitching ace both at MCC and PSC for three years. He was an all conference performer in 2006-2007 and an all conference academic member in 2007-2008. Trevor was awarded team MVP honors in his senior season at Peru State.
After graduation, Trevor spent one season as an Assistant Coach at Peru State College before heading to Canada to take on Head Coaching duties with the Okotoks Dawgs Baseball Academy in Okotoks, Alberta. Trevor will assist in recruiting and all other aspects of the baseball program.
Trevor and his wife Samantha and son Traeden now reside in Sterling.