Stetson University Athletics

Nick Restaino joined the Stetson Baseball program ahead of the 2025 season, bringing more than three decades of NCAA Division I coaching, recruiting, player development and program management experience to DeLand… Originally joined the Hatters as Director of Baseball Operations before transitioning into an assistant coaching role ahead of the 2027 season… Works with the Hatters' outfielders while providing veteran leadership and extensive Division I head coaching experience to head coach Shane Gierke's inaugural staff. Restaino brings more than three decades of collegiate baseball experience to Stetson… Has served as both a Division I head coach and assistant while building a reputation for recruiting, developing players, managing programs and establishing competitive cultures… Across 12 seasons as a head coach at Fordham and Sacred Heart, accumulated 273 victories and guided his programs to six conference tournament appearances. Restaino and Gierke previously worked together during Stetson's 2025 season, helping the Hatters capture the ASUN Tournament championship, establish a program-record 24-6 conference mark, record their second consecutive 40-win season and advance to the NCAA Tallahassee Regional. A 1993 graduate of Fordham University, Restaino returned to his alma mater after coaching stops at Lehman College and Manhattan College… Spent seven years on the Fordham staff, rising through the program as recruiting coordinator and associate head coach… Helped transform the Rams into one of the Atlantic 10's top programs and played a key role in recruiting and developing numerous standout players. Restaino was named Fordham's interim head coach on Aug. 5, 2004… Guided the Rams to a 34-21 overall record and earned Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year honors during his first season at the helm… Had the interim designation removed following the season and remained Fordham's head coach through the 2011 campaign. Under Restaino, Fordham recorded four 30-win seasons and made four Atlantic 10 Tournament appearances… The Rams advanced to the Atlantic 10 Championship game in 2007 and recorded victories over nationally ranked opponents, including Miami (Fla.) and Virginia… His teams compiled a 107-76 Atlantic 10 record for a .585 conference winning percentage. Following his tenure at Fordham, Restaino joined the coaching staff at Southern Connecticut State in 2014 before moving to Sacred Heart in 2015… Initially served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator before taking over as head coach following the retirement of Nick Giaquinto… Led the Pioneers through the 2022 season. Restaino guided Sacred Heart to two Northeast Conference Tournament appearances during his time as head coach… Previously helped the Pioneers capture the 2015 NEC Championship and reach the conference championship game twice in three seasons as an assistant. Across 12 seasons as a Division I head coach at Fordham and Sacred Heart, Restaino accumulated 273 victories and guided his programs to six conference tournament appearances… Earned Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year honors in his first season leading Fordham… Produced four 30-win campaigns with the Rams and later guided Sacred Heart to a pair of Northeast Conference Tournament appearances. Restaino has helped more than 20 players advance to professional baseball throughout his coaching career… His former players include Major Leaguers Nick Martinez, Jason Foley and Zack Short, along with Cory Riordan, Tom Davis, Javier Martinez, John Mollicone, Chris Pike, Brent Teller and Bobby Kingsbury… His programs have also produced 14 All-Conference selections, seven ECAC All-Stars and seven Louisville Slugger All-Americans. Martinez went on to represent Team USA at the Olympics and started the gold medal game while also building a successful professional career in Japan. Received the Ralph DiLullo Award from the New York Professional Scouts Association in 2023… Named Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year in 2005… Led Fordham to the NCAA stolen base statistical championship in 2008… His programs earned four NCAA APR National Recognition Awards… Recorded four victories over nationally ranked opponents during his head coaching career, including wins over Miami (Fla.) and Virginia. Restaino's collegiate coaching career includes stops at Stetson, Sacred Heart, Southern Connecticut State, Fordham, Manhattan College and Lehman College… His experience spans head coaching, recruiting, player development and program administration at the NCAA Division I level. Graduated from Fordham University's College of Business Administration in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in management and finance… Began his collegiate coaching career at Lehman College following graduation. Restaino is married to Blanca… The couple has a daughter, Emily, and a son, Chris.