CHARLOTTE, N.C.- Ross Steedley has stepped down as head baseball coach at Queens University of Charlotte, director of athletics Cherie Swarthout announced today. Steedley earned his first collegiate head coaching job with the Royals in April 2020, guiding the Royals to a 55-81 record over the past three seasons.
 
"The work Coach Steedley has done to help grow our baseball program over the past three seasons has been greatly appreciated and we wish him all the best with what is next on his coaching journey," Swarthout stated.     
 
After navigating his first year through the height of the COVID-19 epidemic, Steedley saw his best season with the Royals in year two. The Royals tripled their win total from the previous season while making their first ever postseason appearance as a No. 4 seed in the South Atlantic Conference Championship. Queens took down four national ranked opponents in a season in which the Royals boasted a top 40 strength of schedule. Steedley was instrumental in the development of first team all-region outfielder and CoSIDA Academic All-American Nick Brassington. Brassington torched opponents at the plate hitting a team-best .370 while belting a conference-high 16 home runs. As a team, the Royals displayed one of the best offenses in the country ranking top 40 in doubles (30), hits (36), and home runs (39). On the bump, the pitching staff was 32nd in the nation in WHIP.
 
This season, Steedley guided Queens to a 17-38 overall record in the Royals' first Division I season. Queens navigated a difficult schedule that featured nationally ranked opponents in No. 23 South Carolina, No. 12 East Carolina, No. 15 FGCU, and No. 13 North Carolina. Steedley produced the ASUN Scholar-Athlete of the Year and Second Team All-Conference performer Riley Cheek who hit a team-high .324 with 31 extra-base hits, including 12 home runs. Brassington also landed ASUN All-Academic Team honors as the Royals posted a 3.3 team GPA for the year.
 
In total, the Royals saw four all-conference, seven all-region, and two all-state selections. Steedley also coached the University's first MLB Draft Pick as Tanner Jacobson was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2022.
 
"I'm thankful for my three years here at Queens in the great city of Charlotte," Steedley commented. "After a lot of prayer and thoughtful consideration I've made the decision to step away as the head baseball coach to pursue other professional and personal opportunities.
 
I'm thankful for all the players we've been blessed to coach here over the past three seasons. I wish Queens baseball nothing but the best in the future. Go Royals!"
 
Steedley joined the Royals after spending one year at Jacksonville University as an assistant coach. Prior to that, he had coaching stops at Gardner-Webb University and UNC Charlotte.
 
The search for a new head coach will begin immediately.