Christopher Monroe joined MoWest in June 2025.
In his first season on staff, Monroe helped lead the Griffons to a 28-24 record in 2026, reaching the MIAA tournament semifinals for the first time since 2017.
The 2026 team achieved the first winning season for Griffon Baseball since 2018, its most overall wins and conference wins since 2018, the first trip to the MIAA tournament since 2019, its most wins at home since 2004 and the most wins by a first-year head coach in program history.
Seven Griffons earned all-MIAA status in 2026 as well.
Monroe, before MoWest, spent time as a professional baseball player both in the Pioneer Baseball League and Atlantic League from 2022-2024, playing for the Great Falls Voyagers, the Idaho Falls Chukars and the Lexington Legends.
He also spent time as the hitting coach for Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois in 2023-24, helping that team to a Midwest Athletic Conference Co-Championship and a 42-15 record.
“Chris came to us from Parkland College - a very good program with a great tradition,” said head coach Michael Keeran. “His experience not only as a coach, but as a player and his ability to relate to players makes him an extremely valuable addition to the staff."
Monroe earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Illinois-Springfield in 2021 before completing his Sports Administration Masters Program at Central Michigan in 2022.
He was a two-time first-team all-GLVC selection with UIS, and helped CMU to a conference title and an NCAA tournament bid in 2022.
