Experienced. Passionate. Invested in Player Development.
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Experienced. Passionate. Invested in Player Development.
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.
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
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
"A good coach can change a game. A GREAT COACH can change a Life!"
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.
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.
Assistant Coach
Jonah Crone serves as an Assistant Coach with MO Dawgs Baseball, where he works with younger athletes on catching, pitching, fielding, hitting, baseball IQ, and overall player development. As an original member of the MO Dawgs program, Jonah has a deep understanding of the organization's expectations and culture. He connects effortlessly with younger athletes through patient instruction, encouragement, and his unique perspective as a high-level developing player himself. Jonah is passionate about helping athletes sharpen their fundamentals, build confidence, and master the mental side of the game—perfectly embodying the MO Dawgs commitment to Develop. Compete. Belong.
In addition to coaching, Jonah maintains an elite competitive playing schedule as a pitcher, third baseman, and catcher for both the 16U and 18U American Legion Post 208 teams (2026 District 10 Champions). On the global stage, he is a proud member of the SLBBA 15U Team USA International Team, which is set to travel and compete in Japan in 2027. Jonah's extensive competitive experience, exceptional work ethic, and positive attitude allow him to serve as a highly relatable role model, inspiring the next generation of MO Dawgs athletes both on and off the field.
Assistant Coach | Training Coach
Coach Kyle Knepper brings a well-rounded baseball background to MO Dawgs, with experience as a competitive pitcher, trained umpire, and youth baseball coach. Kyle pitched for Pattonville High School (2004–2007), the Saint Louis Amateur Baseball Association (2003–2006), and Maryland Heights Legion Baseball (2007–2008). His performance on the mound earned him recognition as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch High School Player of the Week in 2007.
Kyle also attended the Wendelstedt Umpire Academy and went on to officiate in the Northwoods League (2010), New York Collegiate Baseball League (2011), and Greater St. Louis Association of Umpires (2013–2015). He previously coached Maryland Heights Legion's 15U and 18U teams, bringing valuable experience in player development and competitive baseball. His unique perspective as a player, umpire, and coach allows him to help young athletes strengthen their fundamentals, improve their baseball IQ, and build confidence both on and off the field.
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.
Pitching Coach | Private Lesson Coach
Coach Owen Wilson brings collegiate pitching experience and a passion for player development to MO Dawgs Baseball. A St. Louis native and right-handed pitcher at Missouri Baptist University, Owen played at Parkway South High School and St. Louis Community College–Meramec before continuing his career at MBU. His playing experience provides insight into pitching mechanics, preparation, and the mental demands of competing at a high level.
Owen's coaching philosophy focuses on developing complete pitchers, not just strong arms. He emphasizes sound mechanics, arm care, command, consistency, and purposeful practice tailored to each athlete. He believes pitchers must understand why they train, take ownership of their progress, and respond to adversity with confidence and composure. By combining individualized instruction with accountability and a competitive mindset, Owen aims to build resilient, knowledgeable athletes prepared for the next level. Develop. Compete. Belong.
Hitting Coach | High School Coach
Coach Aidan McFarland brings competitive playing experience, championship leadership, and a passion for athlete development to MO Dawgs Baseball. A former outfielder and infielder at Lutheran South High School, Aidan is entering his third year as Head Coach of American Legion Post 208. He has earned recognition as the youngest championship-winning head coach in Missouri history. Aidan also serves as an assistant softball coach at Parkway South High School, bringing valuable experience coaching athletes across multiple levels of competition.
Aidan's coaching philosophy centers on developing confident, disciplined, and fundamentally sound hitters. He emphasizes proper mechanics, plate discipline, situational awareness, and a competitive mindset. His approach focuses on individualized instruction, accountability, and helping athletes understand the mental and physical aspects of hitting. Aidan strives to build complete players who are prepared to succeed both on and off the field.
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.
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.
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.