A legitimate Cinderella story, a conference-less powerhouse and the nation's hottest team threaten to end the SEC's reign atop the sport

Who is Dan Skirka? What you need to know about the Murray State baseball coach ahead of the 2025 College World Series:

OMAHA, Neb. — The foundation for Murray State baseball coach Dan Skirka included a pit stop in Southwest Arkansas. In 2009, Skirka was just a couple of years removed from a standout playing career as a shortstop at Grand Valley State when he spent a year as a graduate assistant at Ouachita Baptist in Arkadelphia.

Murray State and No. 15 UCLA saw their first action of the 2025 Men's College World Series on Saturday, where the former’s ongoing Cinderella story hit a bit of a snag in Game 3 after the Bruins’ 6-4 win.

Murray State took a chance on a 33-year-old junior college assistant. Seven years later, Skirka has the Racers on the sport's biggest stage.

The Murray State Racers outlasted Duke to make the first College World Series in program history with a win June 9.