University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Baseball
- Title:
- Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
- Email:
- shane.opitz@unco.edu
- Phone:
- 970.714.4744
Shane Opitz returned to Northern Colorado in the summer of 2022 as an assistant coach, bringing his experience and energy back to the program where he began his coaching career in 2019. A Colorado native, Opitz has made a lasting impact on the Bears’ offense, leading a resurgence that included the program’s most home runs in a season since 2010, and helping the team reach both its first Summit League Tournament and first Summit League Championship Game.
Before returning to Greeley, Opitz served as the infield coach at Stetson University. Prior to that, he was on staff at the University of Arkansas, where he helped guide the Razorbacks to an SEC Championship and a Super Regional appearance.
Opitz’s coaching career follows a successful nine-year run as a professional baseball player, including eight seasons in the Toronto Blue Jays organization and one with the Milwaukee Brewers. A true utility player, he saw action at every position on the field—primarily shortstop—up to the Triple-A level.
A standout athlete at Heritage High School, Opitz was a two-sport star. In 2010, he set the Colorado single-season touchdown record and earned All-Colorado honors as a wide receiver while leading Heritage to its first-ever state football title. That same year, he was named Colorado Baseball Player of the Year and a Louisville Slugger All-American before being selected by the Blue Jays in the 11th round of the MLB Draft.
Opitz resides in Greeley, Colorado, with his wife, Catherine, and their three children, Carter, Alaina and Lily.
