Experienced. Passionate. Invested in Player Development.
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Tryout Registration for the 2026-2027 NOW OPEN!
The MO Dawgs Baseball coaching staff is committed to teaching the game the right way. Our coaches focus on fundamentals, baseball IQ, and long-term player growth—while building confidence, accountability, and a strong team culture.
Our Coaching Approach
Our Coaching Approach
MO Dawgs coaches are dedicated to developing complete athletes. We believe in intentional instruction, honest feedback, and creating a positive environment where players are challenged to grow on and off the field.
Our staff emphasizes:
Strong fundamentals and proper mechanics
Situational awareness and baseball IQ
Consistent effort, discipline, and accountability
Building confidence through preparation and repetition
DAWG House Leadership
DAWG House Leadership
Operations. Support. Leadership.
MO Dawgs Baseball is led by a three-person leadership team:
Bob Roth, Managing Owner; Kayla Bailey, Director of Program Operations; and Scott Knepper Director of Player Development.
Together, they oversee program direction, operations, player development, training, communication, and long-term growth.
Coach Bob Roth is committed to developing athletes on and off the field, using baseball to teach discipline, teamwork, resilience, and accountability. His coaching philosophy focuses on character, personal growth, and helping each player reach their full potential.
A standout shortstop at Marquette High School, Coach Roth earned Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2005 before playing in the Mon-Clair League and spending a season in the Washington Nationals organization with the GCL Nationals. With over 15 years of coaching experience across all age levels and multiple St. Louis–area clubs, he brings deep baseball knowledge, strong leadership, and a passion for player development to MO Dawgs Baseball.
Kayla Bailey serves as the Head of Program Operations for MO Dawgs Baseball, bringing extensive experience in youth sports leadership, coaching, marketing, parent communication, facility coordination, and program organization. An all-star cheer and tumbling coach, Kayla is US SafeSport-certified and a proud member of the United States All-Star Federation (USASF), USA Gymnastics (USAG), and the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU).
As a baseball mom and author of Raising an Athlete, Beyond the Game, and Coaching Beyond the Performance, Kayla is deeply passionate about building structured, supportive, and family-focused sports programs. At MO Dawgs, she works closely with leadership, coaches, parents, and players to manage daily operations, registration, facility use, marketing, and overall program growth. She is always available to answer questions, assist families, and champion the MO Dawgs Baseball community.
Coach Scott Knepper brings more than 40 years of playing and coaching experience to MO Dawgs Baseball. His baseball background includes pitching at Missouri Baptist University and Florissant Valley Community College, as well as years of experience as a hitting instructor and player development coach. His accomplishments include three Men’s Senior Baseball National Championships, seven St. Louis Men’s Baseball All-Star selections, induction into the St. Louis Men’s Baseball Hall of Fame in 2023, and recognition as a two-time Guinness World Record holder.
Coach Knepper is passionate about developing complete athletes and helping players build confidence, strong fundamentals, and a deeper understanding of the game. As Head of Player Development, he leads the organization's player development system, implementing consistent training standards, individual evaluations, and development plans across every age group. His goal is to help every MO Dawgs athlete reach their full potential while preparing them for success on and off the field
Coaches, Assistant Coaches
Coaches, Assistant Coaches
and Training Coaches
and Training Coaches
"A good coach can change a game. A GREAT COACH can change a Life!"
Eric Taylor
Eric Taylor
Developmental Dawgs Head Coach | Assistant Coach
Coach Eric Taylor serves as Head Coach of the Developmental Dawgs and supports the MO Dawgs coaching staff as an Assistant Coach. He focuses on age-appropriate fundamentals, confidence, effort, teamwork, and creating a positive environment where young athletes can learn the game and build a strong foundation for future development.
Dan Koch
Dan Koch
Assistant Coach
Coach Dan Koch brings a strong pitching background and a passion for player development to MO Dawgs Baseball. A 2004 graduate of Westminster Christian Academy, he still holds several pitching records from his high school career, including an undefeated 10-0 season with a sub-3.00 ERA. He continued his baseball career at Taylor University as a pitcher and has been coaching youth baseball since 2020.
Coach Koch specializes in pitching mechanics, pitch selection, and sequencing, while also bringing experience in hitting mechanics and pitch recognition. He focuses on helping players strengthen their baseball IQ, understand the game at a deeper level, and develop into more complete athletes through strong fundamentals, confidence, and a genuine love for baseball.
Jonah Crone
Jonah Crone
Assistant Coach
Jonah Crone serves as an Assistant Coach with MO Dawgs Baseball while continuing to compete as a developing player himself. An original member of the MO Dawgs program, Jonah has grown alongside the organization and brings a current player’s perspective, strong baseball knowledge, and firsthand understanding of what it takes to prepare, compete, and improve. A dedicated catcher with experience at third base and pitcher, he is able to connect with younger athletes in a way that is both relatable and encouraging.
In addition to baseball, Jonah is a National Champion All-Star STUNT team member, bringing another level of discipline, teamwork, and competitive experience to his coaching role. He enjoys helping younger players strengthen their fundamentals, confidence, and baseball IQ, and leads by example through his work ethic, positive attitude, and willingness to support others. As both a player and assistant coach, Jonah represents the MO Dawgs commitment to Develop. Compete. Belong.
Dick Bailey
Dick Bailey
Assistant Game Coach | Business Consultant
Coach Dick Bailey brings decades of coaching, leadership, and organizational experience to MO Dawgs Baseball. He has coached athletes across multiple ages and sports, helped establish a select baseball organization, and founded St. Louis Extreme All-Stars, the first all-star cheerleading gym in St. Louis, which grew to become one of the top programs in the country. As a father of three former high-level athletes and grandfather of a young athlete, Dick understands firsthand the commitment, leadership, and support it takes to help athletes succeed.
Coach Bailey believes that investing in youth sports means investing in athletes, families, and their futures. In addition to assisting with game-day coaching and hitting development, he brings his extensive business and consulting experience to the leadership of MO Dawgs Baseball. His approach emphasizes strong fundamentals, confidence, accountability, and helping athletes develop the skills and mindset they can carry with them both on and off the field.
Robert Roth Sr.
Robert Roth Sr.
"Roth Sr."
"Roth Sr."
Assistant Game Coach | Training Coach
Coach Roth Sr. brings decades of playing and coaching experience to MO Dawgs Baseball. He played three years of varsity baseball at Lafayette High School, followed by three years of Legion baseball with Ballwin, before continuing his playing career at the semi-professional level in Iowa for two years.
With extensive youth coaching experience across Ballwin, Manchester, and Pond, Coach Roth Sr. was one of the first coaches in Ballwin to help establish a high school summer league and has also coached at the Little League World Series level. He is especially passionate about hitting instruction, focusing on fundamentals, confidence, and helping players develop a consistent and competitive approach at the plate.
Briley Buckley
Briley Buckley
Personal Lesson Coach
Coach Briley Buckley brings high-level playing experience and a strong passion for player development to MO Dawgs Baseball. Originally from Overland Park, Kansas, he began his college career at Johnson County Community College (Division I JUCO), where he was a dominant closer on a 49-win team and helped lead a Regional Championship run.
He continued his career at NCAA Division I Abilene Christian University before a shoulder injury ended his playing days. Coach Buckley now channels his love for the game into coaching, focusing on fundamentals, competitiveness, and helping players grow with confidence on and off the field.
Why Coaching Matters at MO Dawgs
Why Coaching Matters at MO Dawgs
At MO Dawgs Baseball, coaching goes beyond instruction. Our staff is committed to building confident athletes, strong teammates, and a culture rooted in accountability, effort, and respect for the game.
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