JUSTIN DEDMAN
HEAD COACH
Justin Dedman, a Lincoln, Illinois native and veteran coach with 20 years of collegiate baseball experience, was named the sixth head coach in Bradley Baseball history. Known for his success in player development and recruiting, Dedman has coached 34 MLB Draft picks, including first-rounder Sam Bachman, and helped produce 10 All-Americans.
He joins Bradley after two seasons as recruiting coordinator at Loyola Marymount, where his offense led the WCC in eight categories and set multiple school records. Dedman also served as Director of Player Development at Missouri, helping the Tigers to a 30-win SEC season and a sweep of CWS-bound Tennessee.
Dedman has a career coaching record of 575–326 and has elevated programs at Miami (OH), Lee University, and others. He is widely respected for his individualized development approach, strong communication, and focus on building championship teams and character-driven athletes. He and his wife, Brittany, along with their children Norah and Maddux, are proud to join the Bradley and Peoria communities.
CURTIS KELLOGG
RECRUITING COORDINATOR
Curtis Kellogg joins Bradley Baseball for his second season after three years as Recruiting Coordinator and Hitting Coach at Central Arkansas. Known for his offensive expertise, Kellogg previously led Arkansas Tech to a conference title and one of the top offenses in the country, hitting .345 in league play and producing multiple All-Conference and All-American hitters.
Before his college coaching success, Kellogg served as a hitting analyst with the Seattle Mariners' High-A affiliate, the Modesto Nuts, during their 2017 California League Championship season. He worked with 11 players who have reached the big leagues, including 2020 AL Rookie of the Year Kyle Lewis.
A Sonora, California native, Kellogg played at Cal State Stanislaus and Merced College, earning all-conference honors and a Gold Glove as an infielder. He brings a strong track record of player development and offensive production to the Bradley staff.
JEFF BOLEN
PITCHING COACH
Jeff Bolen joins Bradley Baseball as Pitching Coach after a successful run developing high-level arms at the junior college and NCAA levels.
Bolen spent the past six seasons as Head Coach and Pitching Coach at St. Charles CC, leading the program to its first conference title in 2024 and setting multiple pitching records. During his tenure, SCC produced 15 Division I pitchers, seven All-Region arms, and one MLB signee with the Padres.
He previously served as Pitching Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Wabash Valley College, where his staff ranked among the nation’s best and helped the team finish third at the 2017 NJCAA World Series. Bolen also coached at Fontbonne University and has seen multiple pitchers sign professional contracts.
A native of Illinois, Bolen holds degrees from MacMurray College and Fontbonne University. He and his wife have one daughter, Maia.
GARRETT BELDING
ASSISTANT COACH
Belding joins Bradley Baseball after spending five seasons at Louisiana Tech as a student assistant and Director of Player Development.
During his time with the Bulldogs, Belding worked with the infielders and assisted with the offense, helping Louisiana Tech win the 2022 Conference USA Tournament Championship and later a CUSA regular-season title while making NCAA Regional appearances in Austin and Fayetteville.
Belding helped develop multiple MLB Draft selections, all-conference honorees and a Conference USA Freshman of the Year. He also worked with second baseman Mike Ballard, who was named a Gold Glove finalist.
Before Louisiana Tech, Belding played middle infield at Eastfield College in Mesquite, Texas, from 2020 to 2021. He graduated from Louisiana Tech in 2023.
LUCAS MANNING
DIRECTOR OF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
Manning joins Bradley after spending three seasons at Wofford, where he appeared in 133 games with 94 starts, primarily at catcher. He hit .313 for his career with 101 hits, 22 doubles, 58 RBI, 93 runs and 26 stolen bases.
As a senior in 2026, Manning hit .321 with 10 doubles, 10 home runs, 29 RBI and a 1.012 OPS while starting 38 games behind the plate. He earned CSC Academic All-District and Southern Conference academic honors.
Manning helped Wofford capture the 2024 Southern Conference Tournament championship and advance to the Chapel Hill Regional, where the Terriers earned the first NCAA Tournament victory in program history. He hit .343 that season with 37 hits, 39 runs and 13 stolen bases.
Before Wofford, Manning played one season at Holy Cross, hitting .287 in 32 appearances. A native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, he played at West Forsyth High School.
LUKE LEVERTON
DIRECTOR OF PITCHING PERFORMANCE
Leverton enters his first season as Bradley Baseball’s Director of Pitching Performance after pitching for the Braves during the 2026 season.
Leverton appeared in 10 games out of the bullpen for Bradley, recording 12 strikeouts in 11.2 innings. Before arriving on The Hilltop, he pitched at Miami University, Wabash Valley College and Western Kentucky, helping Wabash Valley finish as JUCO World Series runner-up and later competing in NCAA Regional play at WKU.
A native of Richmond, Indiana, Leverton was an Indiana All-Star and District Player of the Year at Seton Catholic High School. He finished his prep career with a 19-4 record, 2.30 ERA and 249 strikeouts.
Leverton earned his degree in Nonprofit Leadership from Bradley.