Bio

With the new regular season fast approaching, Penn State Hazleton is proud to introduce a new face to the highly successful softball program with hiring of Head Coach Dan Caruso.

“We are pleased to welcome Dan Caruso to the Penn State Hazleton family,” said Director of Athletics, Patrice Lombard. “His enthusiasm and vision for the program combined with his excellent credentials are exactly what we want in a coach, and we can’t wait to see him take our program to the next level.”

Coach Caruso has been involved in athletics his entire life and has taken great pride in being part of a team. Caruso competed in ice hockey for four years at the varsity level and two years as a soccer goalkeeper but has spent much of his athletic career competing in the sports of baseball and softball.

Following his extensive and diverse athletic career, Caruso moved on to coaching in 2014 when he joined the staff at St. Francis Academy in Bally, Pa. As the assistant varsity basketball coach and head softball coach, Caruso began expanding his coaching credentials while developing skills in young people and teaching the team concepts that served him well as an athlete. Caruso continued at St. Francis until turning his focus entirely to the sport of softball in 2017 when he joined the coaching ranks at Pope John Paul II High School in Royersford, Pa. and the Krush Fastpitch Softball organization. At PJPII, Caruso served as the head coach of junior varsity softball team and the assistant varsity coach from 2017-2023 and he remains the head coach of the 18U Gold Showcase team for Krush Fastpitch where he focuses on speed, strength and agility training and preparing young women to compete at the collegiate level.

Caruso’s coaching philosophy is very team-first oriented and can be summed up entirely by the acronym, “TEAMIT” and will apply that ideology to his new role as the head coach of Penn State Hazleton softball. Teams are most effective when we work together. Excellence is achieved through hard work and taking pride in our results. Being Accountable by owning our results and learning from mistakes. Mutual Respect for one another by appreciating our differences and celebrating what each individual brings to the group. Practicing Integrity by acting ethically, promoting fairness, and communicating effectively. And finally, establishing Trust by honoring our commitments to one another and the program.

Coach Caruso joins the Nittany Lions following their successful run to the Penn State University Athletic Conference championship game and an appearance in the 2021-22 USCAA Small College World Series. Caruso will look to continue that success with a talented 2022-2023 roster while infusing his ideals into the program and building for the future.