Meet Our Aurora Coaching Staff
Our Aurora coaching team delivers expert, athlete-focused training built for real development. Together, we prepare players to compete with confidence and precision.
Expert Instruction from Elite Aurora Coaches
Our Aurora coaching staff brings advanced baseball knowledge, pro-level development methods, and a focused approach to building complete athletes. Every training session is designed to elevate performance and help players compete at their highest potential.
Baseball Coaches Available in Aurora
Our Aurora location features a dedicated team of baseball instructors offering high-level, individualized training for athletes at every stage. Each coach brings proven experience, advanced development methods, and a commitment to helping players reach their full potential.
Alex Hales
Alex Hales brings over two decades of baseball coaching excellence to his role as Head Baseball Coach at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, Illinois. His extensive background in player development and proven track record of program success make him a distinguished leader in collegiate baseball.
Hales made his mark as a baseball coach at Oswego High School, where he helped return the program to prominence within the competitive Southwest Prairie Conference. Under his leadership, the team captured multiple conference titles and regional championships, helping to establish a new standard of excellence for the program.
For nine seasons, Hales served as a coach with Elite Baseball Training, where he developed numerous players who advanced to collegiate baseball programs. His expertise in player development is evidenced by the significant number of athletes who earned Division I scholarships under his guidance.
With twenty years of experience in comprehensive player development, Hales has built his reputation through:
- Baseball camps and clinics
- Individual private instruction
- Advanced training methodologies
- College recruitment guidance
Hales’ coaching philosophy centers on developing both the athletic skills and character of his players. His success is measured not only in championships and titles, but in the continued advancement of his athletes to higher levels of competition and their development as leaders both on and off the field.
At Waubonsee Community College, Coach Hales continues to build upon his legacy of excellence, preparing the next generation of baseball players for success at the collegiate level and beyond.
Pitching Director
Mark Niles
Mark brings over 30 years of experience in athletic training and baseball development. He holds certifications as an ATC, CSCS, CES, and PES, and currently serves as the Supervisor of Athletic Training and Strength and Conditioning at Waubonsee Community College, where he also spent time as an Assistant Baseball Coach.
A former semi-pro baseball player from 1989-2002, Mark was inducted into the National Semi-Pro Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016. He has played in the MSBL since 2003 and has been training athletes since 1992 and giving baseball lessons since 1997.
Mark combines real game experience with advanced performance training to help athletes reach their full potential.
Nick Turner
Director of Operations
NTurner@elitebaseballtraining.com
Nick Turner grew up in Roselle, IL, and attended Lake Park High School, where he was a two-year varsity starter, earned All-Conference honors as a senior, and was named to the All-Decade team. Nick went on to continue his playing career at Aurora University, serving as a five-year starter and team captain. As a freshman, he received the program’s Freshman of the Year Award and was also a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee during his time at Aurora University.
Nick earned a degree in Coaching and Youth Sports Development and has spent the past 11 years as a head coach and hitting instructor for the Naperville Renegades, working with players ages 7 to 17. Turner also had the chance to work under current Co-Director of Player Development, Ryan Johansen at Johansen Baseball, which gave me a great experience in player development and advanced training.
Ryan Johansen
Director of Player Development
Ryan joins the Elite Baseball Training staff to oversee all hitting programming under the Elite umbrella. Ryan coached at Aurora University where they climbed to 23rd in the national rankings and Judson University where they were ranked as high as 16th.
Ryan also worked at the National Collegiate Scouting Association where he worked with over 1500 athletes to find the right fit at the college level.
In 2019, he joined the Chicago White Sox Player Development Staff and worked as the Assistant Hitting Coordinator from 2019-2022.
Ryan founded Johansen Baseball, which is an industry leader in technology infused training.
Joe is a former scout and minor league pitching coach for the Atlanta Braves. He worked in professional baseball for 5 years and brings years of collegiate playing experience, including navigating Tommy John surgery and recovery.
His pitching philosophy is rooted in efficient mechanics, strategic pitch design, long-term arm health, and using advanced metrics and data from Rapsodo and TrackMan to develop players.
Our Training Programs
Elite Baseball Training Coaching Difference
Professional Expertise
Our coaches combine years of playing experience from Division 1 colleges, professional leagues, and MLB-affiliated organizations with deep roots in the Mundelein community.
Cutting-Edge Technology
Each instructor is certified in Digital and 3D Motion Analysis systems, delivering precise, data-backed insights to accelerate player development.
Injury Prevention
Select staff members are certified through Justin Stone’s Movement Screening Course, offering expert analysis in athletic movement patterns and injury risk reduction.
Results That Speak
Our coaching team has guided Mundelein athletes to earn spots on elite high school rosters, collegiate programs, and professional organizations.
Individual-Focused Training
We customize every session based on the player’s age, current abilities, learning preferences, and long-term objectives – maximizing growth and keeping players engaged
Always Evolving
Our coaches commit to ongoing education, staying ahead of emerging training methodologies, technological advances, and baseball industry innovations.
Ready to Start Training?
Book your first lesson with one of our expert instructors and experience the Elite Baseball Training difference. Whether you’re focusing on hitting, pitching, defense, or catching – we’ll match you with the right coach for your goals.
