Luke Widbin is entering his 9th season as an assistant coach for the University of Northwestern Baseball team in 2025. Widbin earned his undergrad in 2011 and his Master's in 2017, both from Northwestern.
Widbin's first stint with the Eagles was from 2015-2017 and returned to the coaching staff in 2020, where he is currently the bench coach. Coach Widbin runs the social media accounts for UNW Baseball as well. Widbin has been referred to as the "Director of Fun" by the "Voice of the Eagles," Ryan Mitchell, on Eagle broadcasts.
Coach Widbin was on the coaching staff in 2021 as the Eagles put together the best season in program history. UNW went 35-12, which set the record for wins in a season. Early in the season, the 2021 squad made it clear that this was a special group by defeating UW-Whitewater and St. Thomas who were both nationally ranked opponents. The Eagles rolled through their conference opponents and finished 15-1, winning the conference title for the first time since 1996. As a result, the Eagles earned the right to host the Conference Tournament. In their three Conference Tournament games, the Eagles outscored their opponents 36-11 on route to winning the Tournament Championship and earning their first ever NCAA Tournament Appearance. Additionally, the Eagles were rewarded for their great season by being named a host for the NCAA Regional. Northwestern won their first two NCAA Tournament games in program history, defeating Misericordia University and Saint Mary’s University. The Eagles finished the regional in the championship game, coming within one game of the NCAA Division III World Series. The Eagles would repeat as UMAC Regular Season Champions in 2022.
Widbin is very familiar with Northwestern, having served as an admissions counselor from 2011-2017 and was the captain of the Northwestern club hockey team for two seasons. Widbin currently resides in New Brighton with his wife Danae and their two daughters.
