Miguel Rivera enters his second season with the RedHawks after joining Brian Smiley's Miami staff as an assistant coach in June 2024. He most recently acted as a graduate assistant for the Indiana State baseball team.
"Receiving the call from Smiley offering me this opportunity was a true blessing, and I'm incredibly grateful for his trust in me as one of his assistants. I'm eager and prepared to collaborate with Miami and the rest of the staff," said Rivera. "My aim is to foster an environment where players feel valued every day and recognize their importance to the team! I want them to learn and create a winning culture through hard work and drive. I'm definitely excited about the journey ahead."
This past season with the Sycamores, Rivera spent time assisting coaches with the daily operations of the program, which included practice planning, game strategy and player development. He utilized advanced video analysis software to provide necessary feedback to help improve his athlete's performance. He also spent time assisting the staff with their recruiting efforts through scouting and communicating with potential recruits.
As a player at Indiana State under Smiley, Rivera helped contribute to the team's first NCAA Super Regional appearance since 1986 during the 2023 season. He finished his collegiate career with the Sycamores, having played in 112 games and made 94 starts. Prior to Indiana State, Rivera spent two seasons at Wabash Valley College, where he helped the Warriors to a Conference Championship as well as a NJCAA Regional Championship.
Rivera owns a Bachelor's degree in Sport Management and a Master's in Sport Management from Indiana State.
"Miguel (Miggy) is an excellent addition to our program, and we are thrilled to have him on board with us. Having recruited and coached Miguel, I have seen firsthand not only his commitment and passion for baseball but, more importantly, who he is and what he represents off the field," Smiley said. "He is a first-class human being that personifies exactly what this program should be and will be about moving forward. Our entire team is looking forward to working with and alongside Miguel and watching him grow as a coach."
