Gabriel and Harpenau Added to Baseball Staff

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa head baseball coach Rick Heller announced two additions to his coaching staff on Tuesday. Matt Gabriel will join the Hawkeyes as an assistant athletic performance coach, while Blaine Harpenau (HARP-en-naw) joins as director of pitching development.

Prior to returning to Iowa, Gabriel served as a Minor League strength and conditioning coach for the Los Angeles Angels organization from 2023 to 2026. While with the Angels, he worked with Class A affiliates as well as the Double-A Rocket City Trash Pandas.

Gabriel’s coaching background includes a previous stint at Iowa as a football strength and conditioning intern in 2023, along with strength and conditioning roles at Utah Tech University, Notre Dame, Jackson Academy, Southern Mississippi, UNC Charlotte and D1 Training.

Gabriel earned a bachelor's degree in exercise science/exercise programming from Bowling Green State University and a master's degree in sport coaching education from the University of Southern Mississippi.

He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Gabriel also holds specialized certifications in Olympic weightlifting instruction (USAW-1), functional mobility and joint health (FRCms), and emergency care (CPR/First Aid/AED).

Beyond his responsibilities with the baseball program, Gabriel will also direct strength and conditioning for the Iowa swimming and diving program.

Harpenau most recently served on the Concordia University, Nebraska baseball staff as a graduate assistant coach for the 2025-26 season. He helped lead the Bulldogs to an NAIA national tournament appearance while working closely with the pitching staff.

Harpenau graduated from Southern Illinois University in 2025 with a bachelor's degree in university studies. During his collegiate career, Harpenau pitched at Kirkwood Community College (2021–23), Arkansas State University (2024) and Southern Illinois (2025), making 55 career appearances on the mound. In 19 games at Arkansas State, he posted a 3.98 ERA with four saves, struck out 23 batters and held opponents to a .187 batting average, earning College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honors in 2024. At Kirkwood, he made 21 appearances (18 starts), striking out 96 batters across 88 2/3 innings.

A native of Remsen, Iowa, Harpenau had a standout prep career at Remsen St. Mary's, amassing over 500 strikeouts and 50 wins while twice being named a Class 1A all-state captain.