Lance Niekro has been the head coach of the Florida Southern baseball program since May 2012, with the 2013 campaign as his first at the helm of the program. During his time as the head coach of the Moccasins, Niekro has led his squad to four NCAA Tournament appearances, including a South Regional title in 2018, and a third-place finish at the 2018 NCAA Division II National Championships. Most recently, he led the Mocs with a 2023 NCAA South Region Tournament appearance after FSC had a great year at the plate with 77 home runs. He has also seen his players earn 17 different All-American honors, 44 All-region selections, and 35 All-Sunshine State Conference honors.

During the 2023 season, Niekro earned his 300th career win in the series finale against Florida Tech on May 8, 2023, in a series sweep of the Panthers. Niekro added to his career wins during the 2024 season and finished the year with 318 career wins, good for third all-time wins in FSC baseball history. A strong defensive 2024 squad, Niekro coached his first Gold Glove winner as El'Rico Riley was named to the honor, with both El'Rico and Rohsean Riley named ABCA South Region All-Defensive Team winners. 

The 2018 recipient of both the Florida Diamond Club and ABCA Coach of the Year, Niekro has also coached several National Player or Pitcher of the Year Candidates, including 2018 Brett Tomko Award winner J.T. Hintzen. He has seen 12 different players drafted into Major League Baseball, and a handful of others sign free-agent contracts with MLB franchises, most recently Ryan Langford to the Los Angeles Angels. His teams are also highly successful in the classroom, with 14 different CoSIDA/CSC Academic All-District selections, three CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, and one NCAA Elite 90 Award recipient. Niekro's teams have also claimed at least 12 SSC Commissioner's Honor Roll selections in each of his seasons as head coach, with 80 also earning the D2ADA Academic Achievement Award.

A former standout on the diamond for the Moccasins, he was the SSC Freshman of the Year in 1999 and a third-team all-American in 2000. Niekro was a second-round selection of the San Francisco Giants in the 2000 MLB Draft. He made his Major League debut with the Giants in 2003, and would go on to play in nearly 200 games with San Francisco. In 2005, he appeared in 113 games and hit 12 homers with 46 RBI.

• ABCA South Region Coach of the Year: 2018
• Florida Diamond Club College Coach of the Year: 2018

Niekro has been a part of the Moccasin coaching staff since 2011, when he joined FSC Hall of Famer Pete Meyer’s staff as an assistant coach. After serving as the associate head coach in 2012, Niekro was given the reigns of the program following the season. During his time at the helm of the program, he has coached 18 all-Americans, 42 All-SSC selections, an SSC Freshman of the Year, SSC Player of the Year, and more than 50 all-region honorees.

AT FLORIDA SOUTHERN (2013-present)

• NCAA National Championship Tournament Appearances (1): 2018
• NCAA South Region Championships (1): 2018
• NCAA Tournament Appearances (4): 2013, 2017, 2018, 2023
• ABCA South Region Coach of the Year (1): 2018
• Florida Diamond Club College Coach of the Year: 2018
• Brett Tomko Award (DII Pitcher of the Year): 2018 – J.T. Hintzen
• All-Americans (18): 2015 – Jhalan Jackson (ABCA, NCBWA, Daktronics); 2016 – Sam Machonis (NCBWA); 2017 – Logan Browning (D2CCA), Cameron Hanes (NCBWA), Jake Walsh (ABCA, NCBWA, D2CCA); 2018 – Logan Browning (ABCA, NCBWA, D2CCA), J.T. Hintzen (ABCA, NCBWA, D2CCA), Hayden Marze (NCBWA, D2CCA); 2021 - Vaun Brown (ACBA)
• ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove (1): 2024 - El'Rico Riley (OF)
• NCBWA South Region Pitcher of the Year (1): 2017 – Jake Walsh
• D2CCA South Region Pitcher of the Year (1): 2017 – Jake Walsh
• ABCA All-South Region (22): 2013 – 1st Team: Keith Curcio (3B); 2014 – 2nd Team: Dominic Brugnoni (OF); 2015 – 1st Team: Chris Dennis (3B), Jhalan Jackson (OF); 2016 – 1st Team: Sam Machonis (OF); 2nd Team: Mitch Reeves (3B); 2017 – 1st Team: Cameron Hanes (RP), Mitch Reeves (OF), Jake Walsh (P); 2nd Team: Cody Burgess (OF); 2018 – 1st Team: Logan Browning (UT); J.T. Hintzen (RP) 2nd Team: Hayden Marze (DH); 2019 – 2nd Team: Zach Scott (3B); 2021 - 1st Team: Vaun Brown (OF); 2nd Team: Jacob Teter (1B); 2022 - 2nd Team: Nathan Madej (SP), Aric McAtee (SP), Ryan Langford (RP); 2023 - 1st Team: Drew Cavanaugh (C), 2nd Team: Bryce Safferwich (OF), Connor Berry (UT)
• ABCA South Region All-Defensive Team (2): 2024 - El'Rico Riley (OF), Rohsean Riley (3B)
• NCBWA All-South Region (22): 2014 – 2nd Team: Dominic Brugnoni (OF); Keith Curcio (3B); 2015 – 1st Team: Jhalan Jackson (OF); 2016 – 1st Team: Logan Browning (UT); Sam Machonis (OF); 2nd Team: Mitch Reeves (3B); 2017 – 1st Team: Cameron Hanes (RP); Mitch Reeves (OF); Jake Walsh (SP); 2nd Team: Austin Mauer (C); Honorable Mention: Cody Burgess (OF); 2018 – 1st Team: Logan Browning (UT); J.T Hintzen (RP); Hayden Marze (DH); 2019 – Honorable Mention: Zach Scott (3B); 2021 - 1st Team: Vaun Brown (OF); 2022 - 2nd Team: Nathan Madej (SP); Honorable Mention: Jeff Liquori (1B), Duncan Hunter (OF); 2023 - 1st Team: Drew Cavanaugh (C), Bryce Safferwich (OF); 2nd Team: Rohsean Riley (3B)
• Daktronics All-South Region (3): 2014 – 2nd Team: Trey Vavra (1B); 2015 – 1st Team: Jhalan Jackson (OF); 2nd Team: Chris Dennis (3B)
• D2CCA All-South Region (27): 2013 – 1st Team: Keith Curcio (UT); 2014 – 1st Team: Dominic Brugnoni (OF), Keith Curcio (OF); 2nd Team: Clay Chapman (SP), Brian Johnson (SP), Nate Carter (RP); 2015 – 1st Team: Jhalan Jackson (OF); Sam Machonis (OF); 2016 – 1st Team: Logan Browning (UT), Sam Machonis (OF); Mitch Reeves (3B); 2nd Team: Ben Richardson (P); 2017 – 1st Team: Logan Browning (UT), Cody Burgess (OF); Cameron Hanes (RP); Mitch Reeves (OF); Jake Walsh (SP); 2nd Team: Austin Mauer (C); 2018 – 1st Team: Logan Browning (UT); J.T. Hintzen (RP); Hayden Marze (DH) 2nd Team: Omar Villaman (SS); 2019 – 1st Team: Zach Scott (3B); 2022 - 2nd Team: Nathan Madej (SP), Dawson Lane (SP); 2023 - 1st Team: Drew Cavanaugh (C), 2nd Team: Rohsean Riley (3B)
• SSC Freshman of the Year (1): 2018 – Jacob Teter
• SSC Player of the Year (1): 2021 - Vaun Brown 
• All-SSC (42): 2013 – 1st Team: Keith Curcio (UT); 2014 – 1st Team: Dominic Brugnoni (OF), Keith Curcio (OF); 2nd Team: Clay Chapman (SP), Brian Johnson (SP), Nate Carter (RP); 2015 – 1st Team: Jhalan Jackson (OF); Sam Machonis (OF); 2016 – 1st Team: Logan Browning (UT), Sam Machonis (OF); Mitch Reeves (3B); 2nd Team: Ben Richardson (P); 2017 – 1st Team: Logan Browning (UT), Cody Burgess (OF); Cameron Hanes (RP); Mitch Reeves (OF); Jake Walsh (SP); 2nd Team: Austin Mauer (C); 2018 – 1st Team: Logan Browning (UT); J.T. Hintzen (RP); Hayden Marze (DH) 2nd Team: Omar Villaman (SS); 2019 – 1st Team: Zach Scott (3B); 2021 - 1st Team: Connor Berry (DH), Vaun Brown (OF), Jacob Teter (1B); 2nd Team: Jarrod Cande (SP); 2022 - 1st Team: Jeff Liquori (1B), Duncan Hunter (OF), Nathan Madej (SP); 2nd Team: Nathan Chevalier (OF), Dawson Lane (SP), Aric McAtee (SP), Ryan Langford (RP); Defensive Team: Nathan Chevalier (OF); 2023 - 1st Team: Rohsean Riley (3B), Drew Cavanaugh (C), Bryce Safferwich (OF); 2nd Team: Connor Berry (UT); Defensive Team: Mitch Donofrio (2B); 2024 - Defensive Team: Rohsean Riley (3B), El'Rico Riley (OF)
• Polk County Male Collegiate Athlete of the Year (1): 2018 – Logan Browning

In addition to their success on the diamond, Niekro’s teams at Florida Southern have also been extremely successful in the classroom. Under his watch, the Moccasins have produced nine different CoSIDA Academic All-District honorees, three CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, and one NCAA Elite 90 Award Winner. The Mocs have also had 80 D2ADA Academic Achievement Award honorees, and over 200 SSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll members under Niekro’s watch. His teams have won two consecutive ABCA Team Academic Excellence Awards, in 2021 and 2022. 

AT FLORIDA SOUTHERN (2013-present)

• NCAA Elite 90 Award Winner (1): 2018 – J.J. Niekro
• ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award (2): 2022, 2021
• CoSIDA Academic All-Americans (3): 2014 – Joey Miller; 2020 - J.J. Niekro; 2021 - Vaun Brown
• CoSIDA Academic All-District (14): 2013 – Keith Curcio; 2014 – Dominic Brugnoni, Joey Miller; 2016 – Sam Machonis; 2018 – J.T. Hintzen, J.J. Niekro; 2019 – Jacob Teter; 2020 - J.J. Niekro, Thomas Spinelli, Jacob Teter; 2021 - Vaun Brown, Thomas Spinelli, Jacob Teter; 2022 - Nathan Madej
• CSC (Formerly CoSIDA) Academic All-District (4): 2023 - Ryan Magdic, Christian Suarez, Andrew Williamson, Justin Wit
• D2ADA Academic Achievement Award (91): 2013 – Michael Anthony, Austin Barnett, Nick Krolczyk, Joey Miller; 2014 – Austin Barnett, Paul Bretton, Jr., Casey Eskew, Nick Krolczyk, Chris Kyser, Christian Magno, Joey Miller, Ben Richardson, Trey Vavra, Andrew Willinger; 2015 – Austin Barnett, Paul Bretton, Jr., Joey Miller, Jake Popovich, Ben Richardson, Craig Savage, A.J. Smith, Blake Swann; 2016 – Paul Bretton, Jr., Ben Richardson, Craig Savage, A.J. Smith, Blake Swann; 2017 – Alex Bigness, Nick Buchanan, Trevor Castell, Ryan Frost, Brandon Giczewski, Canyon McWilliams, J.J. Niekro, Zach Richardson, Tim Sabo, Caedon Saltis, Craig Savage, A.J. Smith; 2018 – Ryan Frost, J.J. Niekro, Trevor Castell, Alex Kennell; 2019 - Reed Burke, Alan Burnsed, Trevor Castell, Dylan Costa, Ryan Frost, Nicky Gibbs, Jacob Kelley, Ryan Langford, J.J. Niekro, Mike Pelaez, Thomas Spinelli, Jacob Teter; 2020 - Ben Baggett, Reed Burke, Alan Burnsed, Dylan Costa, Zach Diewert, Cody Duke, Marcial Hernandez, Ryan Langford, Kyler Marquis, J.J. Niekro, Mike Pelaez, Chase Pilato, Thomas Spinelli, Jacob Teter, Robert Turkett, Andrew Williamson; 2022 - Bobby Turkett, Andrew Williamson, Tommy Turkett, Andrew White, Grady Maguire, David Butz, Julio Cortez, Brennan LaBarbera, Ryan Magdic; 2023 - Andrew Williamson, Mitch Donofrio, Bobby Turkett, Connor Berry, Christian Suarez, Jordan Gaynor, Tommy Turkett, David Butz, Justin Wit, Grady Maguire, Julio Cortez
• SSC Commissioner's Honor Roll (217): 2013 – Michael Anthony, Paul Bretton, Mike Czenszak, Cameron Grimsley, Austin Jackson, Brian Johnson, Nick Krolczyk, T.J. Kuban, Chris Kyser, Christian Magno, Joey Miller, Ben Richardson, Andrew Willinger; 2014 – Austin Barnett, Paul Bretton, Jr., Steven Burnham, Keith Curcio, Matt D'Ariano, Colton Davis, Casey Eddinger, Casey Eskew, Kevin Fuller, Brian Johnson, Nick Krolczyk, Chris Kyser, Brandon Leskanic, Christian Magno, Joey Miller, Jake Popovich, Ben Richardson, Chris Savage, A.J. Smith, Blake Swann, Conor Szczerba, Trey Vavra, Andrew Willinger, Scottie Withrow; 2015 – Austin Barnett, Paul Bretton, Jr., Stephen Brooks, Dominic Brugnoni, Colton Davis, J.P. DeBoyer, Casey Eddinger, Casey Eskew, Trevor Freeman, Kevin Fuller, Tommy Georgevich, David Lugo, Sam Machonis, Alex Marzilli, Joey Miller, Jake Popovich, Ben Richardson, Zach Richardson, Shawn Sanders, Craig Savage, A.J. Smith, Blake Swann; 2016 – Evan Barnes, Paul Bretton, Jr., Dominic Brugnoni, Nick Buchanon, Walker Burgess, Pablo Cabrera, Ryan Frost, Kevin Fuller, Wyatt Jackson, Alex Marzilli, Mitch Reeves, Ben Richardson, Caedon Saltis, Shawn Sanders, Craig Savage, A.J. Smith, Blake Swann; 2017 – Logan Browning, Nick Buchanan, Trevor Castell, J.P. DeBoyer, Ryan Frost, Kevin Fuller, Jake Kinney, Mitch McCarthy, Canyon McWilliams, J.J. Niekro, Chase Pilato, Mitch Reeves, Zach Richardson, Tim Sabo, Craig Savage, A.J. Smith; 2018 – Reed Burke, Pablo Cabrera, Trevor Castell, Dylan Costa, J.P. DeBoyer, Ryan Frost, Nicky Gibbs, Brien Johnston, Alex Kennell, Ryan Langford, Hayden Marze, J.J. Niekro, Michael Palaez, Jordan Powell, Thomas Spinelli, Jacob Teter, Omar Villaman; 2019 - Reed Burke, Alan Burnsed, Trevor Castell, Dylan Costa, Ryan Frost, Nicky Gibbs, Jacob Kelley, Ryan Langford, J.J. Niekro, Mike Pelaez, Thomas Spinelli, Jacob Teter; 2020 - Robert Baggett, John Blair, Reed Burke, Alan Burnsed, Dylan Costa, Michael DeSanti, Zachariah Diewert, Cody Duke, Ricardo Gonzalez, Marcial Hernandez, Brien Johnston, Ryan Langford, Christian Maglich, Kyler Marquis, Santino Miozzi Cercio, J.J. Niekro, Michael Pelaez, Chase Pilato, Timothy, Sabo, Zachary Scott, Tor Shnert, Thomas Spinelli, Jacob Teter, Pablo Toranzo, Robert Turkett, Logan Verrino, Andrew Williamson; 2021 - Connor Berry, John Blair, Vaun Brown, Taylor Buffinton, Reed Burke, Alan Burnsed, Cody Duke, Ahmad Fitts, Brien Johnston, Dawson Lane, Jeff Liquori, Nathan Madej, Sean Maguire, Kyler Marquis, Santino Miozzi, J.J. Niekro, Michael Pelaez, Timothy Sabo, Zachary Scott, Tor Sehnert, Cade Shissler, Thomas Spinelli, Pablo Toranzo, Robert Turkett, Thomas Turkett, Logan Verrino, Andrew White, Andrew Williamson; 2022 - Tilden Agee, Bryce Benton, Connor Berry, David Butz, Seth Cannady, Nathan Chevalier, Julio Cortez, Jared DeSantolo, Ahmad Fitts, Duncan Hunter, Brien Johnston, Brennan LaBarbera, Dawson Lane, Ryan Langford, Ryan Magdic, Grady Maguire, Aric McAtee, Joe Raffaele, Tim Sabo, Christian Suarez, Bobby Turkett, Tommy Turkett, Andrew White, Andrew Williamson, Justin Wit; 2023 - David Butz, Drew Cavanaugh, Julio Cortez, Jake Curry, Mitch Donofrio, Jordan Gaynor, Ahmad Fitts, Austen Kessler, Nathan Madej, Grady Maguire, Jevin Relaford, Zach Smith, Tommy Turkett, Bobby Turkett, Andrew Williamson, Justin Wit

• National Coordinator: Collegiate Baseball Division II Poll
• Member/Volunteer: Highland Park Church

In addition to his time with the San Francisco Giants, Niekro spent time with the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves. During his time as a student-athlete at Florida Southern, Niekro was a third-team all-America selection as a sophomore. He was the 1999 SSC Freshman of the Year, a two-time first-team all-SSC honoree, and was an ABCA all-region selection in 2000.

He is the son of former MLB All-Star Joe Niekro and nephew of National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Phil Niekro. His father served as an assistant coach for the Mocs in 2000. During both of his seasons with the Moccasins, Lance played in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League, where he earned MVP honors in 1999.

After finishing his baseball career, he returned to Florida Southern to complete his bachelor’s degree in 2010. Niekro and his wife, Emilee, live in Lakeland with their two sons, Will and Van.

NIEKRO'S CAREER RECORD