Sam Bjorling begins his ninth season as Head Baseball Coach and Assistant Athletic Director.
In 2022 Bjorling led the Aggies to their 3rd NJCAA World Series Appearance in program history. The Aggies finished with a record of 35-24Â overall and 18-14 in Region II play. He was named NJCAA Plains District Coach of the Year as well as the American Baseball Coaches Association NJCAA D2 Plains Region Coach of the Year. The Aggies set program records on both sides of the ball in 2022 setting single season program records for homeruns (101), and on the mound for most strikeouts (485). The Aggies also saw 2 players honored with All-American honors. Freshman outfielder Garrett Gruell was named 2nd Team All-American (also was the Region 2 Player of the Year); And sophomore third baseman Ethan Moore was named 2022 1st Team All American.
In his first season as Head Coach, Bjorling helped lead the Aggies to just their 3rd Regular Season Conference Championship in program history. Finishing with an overall record of 32-18 the Aggies were 15-5 in Region II play, finishing four games ahead of the second-place finishers. In his 2nd season at the helm, the Aggies finished with a record of 30-25 overall record, tied for 2nd place in the Region II Standings with a 12-8 record, and were ranked as high as #13 in NJCAA II Rankings. In Coach Bjorling’s first two seasons leading the Aggies, many of his players had outstanding seasons, including catcher Jacob Padilla, who was named 2018 1st Team All-American and outfielder Matt McElwain who was named 3rd Team All-American for 2019.Â
Though the 2020 season was cut short due to Covid, the Aggies had another strong season in 2021 finishing 2nd place in the Region II Standings finishing with an overall record of 29-27 and 16-12Â in Region II. The next four seasons would see Bjorling lead the Aggies to four consecutive 30-win seasons (35,39, 30, and 33 respectively). The Aggies would have over 12 All-Region Selections and multiple NJCAA All-Americans in this timespan.
Prior to becoming the Head Coach, Bjorling served as the Recruiting Coordinator and Hitting Coach for the Aggie Baseball team, during which time the Aggie baseball program has been very successful. Bjorling helped guide the team to the Region II Championship Series in 3 out of his 4 years on the Aggie coaching staff, the last of which was capped by a trip to the NJCAA World Series. He also helped guide the team to a regular season conference championship in 2014. Under his tutelage, the Aggie offense has flourished and has regularly been national leaders in most offensive categories. The accolades and awards have been abundant for Aggie hitters including players receiving All-American Honors.
Previously Bjorling has been an active participant in Collegiate Summer Baseball. Bjorling was the Manager of the East Texas Pump Jacks of the Texas Collegiate League in Tyler, TX, guiding the team to the TCL playoffs. During the summers from 2011-2014 Bjorling served as the Hitting Coach for the Duluth Huskies in the prestigious Northwoods League. During the summer of 2012, Bjorling led the Huskies offense to their best season in club history, posting new team records in key offensive categories. In 2013, he helped guide the team to a runner-up finish in the Summer Collegiate World Series.
Prior to joining MSC, Bjorling spent the 2013 season at NCAA Division II schools, University of Illinois-Springfield and University of Hawaii-Hilo. During the 2012 season, Bjorling was at Doane College in Crete, NE. While at Doane he helped guide the Tigers to a 36-20 record and to an appearance in the finals of the NAIA Open Round National Tournament. In 2012, the Tigers set school records for regular season wins and conference wins.Â
Prior to 2012, Bjorling spent 4 seasons as the Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Valley City State University. While at VCSU his offenses broke several long-standing team records including most hits in a season and most doubles in a season. Bjorling began his coaching career in Iowa City, IA serving as an Assistant Coach at Iowa City High School and as Head Coach of the Johnson County Legion baseball team. While at Johnson County, Coach Bjorling led the Johnnies to back-to-back state championships in 2005 and 2006. Bjorling left Johnson County with an overall record of 70-29 in three seasons.
Bjorling earned a B.A. in History from the University of Iowa in 2005 and a M.S. in Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Science from North Dakota State University in 2010.
Head Coaching Record
Murray State College
2018: 32-18Â Regular Season Conference Champions
2019: 30-25
2020:Â 6-18 - Covid
2021: 29-27Â
2022: 35-24 - NJCAA World Series Appearance
2023: 39-17Â
2024: 30-23Â
2025: 33-23Â
Overall Record: 234-175
Winning percentage: .572Â
