Coaches

Dan Pavlue returns for his 5th season as the Head Baseball Coach at Baraboo High School after leading the Thunderbirds to their third straight Regional Championship appearance during the 2022-23 season.  Baraboo is 45-39 under Pavlue's guidance including a 6-3 record in postseason play.  The 2022 Thunderbird squad achieved the program's first Regional Championship since 2015, while also breaking several individual and team records.  Under Pavlue's guidance since 2020, the Thunderbirds have had 16 All-Conference players, 4 All-District players, and 2 Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association All-Star selections.

Pavlue oversees all aspects of the Thunderbird Baseball program and serves as the third base coach for the varsity squad.

Pavlue is a physical education and health teacher at Jack Young Middle School in Baraboo and resides in Lodi with his wife (Jessica) and son (Graydon).

EXPERIENCE

2020-present Head Coach, Baraboo High School

2020-present Coach/Board Member, Baraboo Legion Baseball

2019 Asst. Coach, Edgewood College

2013-2017 Head Coach, North Port High School (FL)

2010-2013 Asst. Coach/Recruiting Coordinator, Edgewood College

M.A. Educational Leadership

2010-2012 Head Coach, Madison Impact Legion

2008-2009 Head Coach, Hudson Legion

2007-2010 Student Assistant, Univ. of Minnesota

B.S. Sport Management

2004-2007 Waunakee High School, Baseball/Football

Bryce Ziegler returns for his 4th season as a Varsity Assistant Head Coach at Baraboo High School after helping lead the Thunderbirds to their third straight Regional Championship appearance during the 2022-23 season.  Coach Ziegler's passion, knowledge and energy continue to make tremendous positive impacts on the T-Birds.  Coach Ziegler is a special education teacher at Jack Young Middle School in Baraboo in addition to his coaching duties.  A current resident of Baraboo but originally from Lodi, Wis., "Ziggy" continues to serve as a wrestling coach in his hometown.

Ziegler primarily oversees the development of the Thunderbird hitters while also assisting in all other aspects of the program on and off the field.

EXPERIENCE

2021-present Varsity Asst. Head Coach, Baraboo High School

2024-present Senior Head Coach, Baraboo Legion

2022-present Asst. Coach, Lodi High School wrestling

2013-2014 Edgewood College, Pitcher/First Baseman

B.A. Educational Studies

2012-2013 Lakeland College, Pitcher/First Baseman

2008-2011 Lodi High School, Baseball/Wrestling

AJ Strong begins his 7th season with Thunderbird Baseball in 2024.  Coach Strong has been integral to Baraboo's success, serving as a coach for a variety of athletic programs at the high school and middle school levels.  AJ's passion for the sport of baseball, and mentoring youth is evident in all that he does.  

Strong is a special education teacher at Baraboo High School and currently resides in Reedsburg with his wife (Michele) and children.

EXPERIENCE

2017-pres Asst. Coach, Baraboo HS baseball, football, basketball

2017-pres Asst. Coach, Baraboo Legion baseball

2015-2017 Asst. Coach, Campbellsville University football

2013-2015 Running Back, Campbellsville University football

B.S. Sport Management

2006-2010 Out-of-Door Academy (FL), baseball/football

Devin Fichter begins his 1st season with Thunderbird Baseball in 2024.  Coach Fichter, a Baraboo native and alum of Baraboo High School, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Thunderbirds, including time as a Varsity Assistant Head Coach.

Fichter will begin his time with the Thunderbird Baseball program with the Junior Varsity squad working alongside Coach Strong in developing the next varsity Thunderbird Baseball players.

Fichter currently serves as a Social Studies teacher at Baraboo High School and resides in Baraboo.

EXPERIENCE

2024-pres Asst. Coach, Baraboo HS baseball/football

2022-2023 Varsity Asst. Head Coach, Antigo HS baseball

2022-2023 Head Middle School Coach, Antigo football

2017-2021 University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

B.A. Education (History, English)

2013-2016 Baraboo High School, baseball/football

Miles Statz begins his 1st season with Thunderbird Baseball in 2024.  Coach Statz, a Baraboo native and alum of Baraboo High School, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Thunderbirds, specifically in the area of pitching. As a player for the Thunderbirds, Statz is statistically one of the most accurate pitchers in program history.

Statz will begin his time with the Thunderbird Baseball program working primarily with the Varsity pitchers alongside Coach Pavlue and Coach Ziegler.

Statz currently serves as a private baseball instructor at Steal House Academy in Portage and resides in Baraboo.

EXPERIENCE

2023-pres Asst. Coach, Baraboo HS baseball/tennis

2023-pres Baseball Instructor, Steal House Academy

2023 Head Coach, Baraboo Junior Legion Baseball

Pitcher, Baraboo High School baseball