Colorado Northwestern Community College Men's Baseball

Coach Lou McCollum enters his 14th season as the Head Baseball Coach at Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC), where he has become the cornerstone of the Spartan baseball program. Since taking over in 2011, McCollum has guided the program through a remarkable turnaround, steadily raising its level of play within the Scenic West Athletic Conference. Prior to his arrival at CNCC, McCollum built an impressive coaching résumé marked by successful program revivals and consistent recognition. At Mt. San Jacinto College in California, he was named the Howard Lowder Coach of the Year in 1995. Later, while leading the program at College of the Desert, he earned Foothill Conference Coach of the Year honors in 2005. His impact as a leader and mentor was evident well before his collegiate coaching career, as he was also named Riverside County Coach of the Year in 1993 during his tenure at West Valley High School in Hemet, California. A former infielder at Long Beach State, McCollum went on to play professional baseball for the Milford Bucs, an independent team in Connecticut. His experiences as both a player and coach have shaped his coaching philosophy, which emphasizes discipline, player development, and accountability on and off the field. In addition to his coaching accomplishments, McCollum has spearheaded major improvements to CNCC’s baseball facilities. His vision and fundraising efforts led to the construction of a clubhouse, significantly enhancing the experience for Spartan players and fans alike. McCollum earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from California State University, Los Angeles. Today, as he leads the Spartans into another season, his commitment to excellence and his love for the game continue to fuel the growth of CNCC baseball and inspire the next generation of student-athletes.

Jaxson Carlisle is entering his second season as a Volunteer Assistant Baseball Coach at Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC). A native of Price, Utah, Carlisle brings valuable experience as both a player and coach, with a strong focus on player development and recruiting. Since 2020, Carlisle has served as the Recruiting Coordinator and Owner of the Utah Yaks Collegiate Summer Baseball program, where he has helped more than 50 athletes advance to the next level, including six players who signed with Division I programs. His ability to connect with athletes and guide them through the recruiting process has become one of his coaching strengths. As a player, Carlisle competed collegiately at several schools in the Scenic West Athletic Conference (SWAC) from 2020 to 2023, finishing his career at Community Christian College. He was signed to play at Colorado Christian University before transitioning into coaching. Carlisle holds an associate’s degree in Sports Management. During his high school career, Carlisle made his mark on Utah baseball history by setting the state 1A record for both career strikeouts (237) and strikeouts in a single season (107). His passion for the game and commitment to helping players maximize their potential make him an important part of the Spartan baseball coaching staff.

J.R. Dwyer is entering his second year as the Assistant Baseball Coach at Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC), where he works primarily with the Spartan pitching staff. Dwyer brings a wide range of coaching experience from the collegiate and summer league ranks, as well as a proven track record of developing players for the next level. Before joining CNCC, Dwyer coached in the prestigious West Coast League with the Bend Bucs. His career also includes time at Solano Community College, West Hills College, and Fresno City College, along with extensive summer coaching experience. Over the years, he has coached in several of the country’s most competitive collegiate leagues, including the Alaskan Baseball League (Matsu Miners), New England Collegiate Baseball League (New Bedford Bay Sox), New York Collegiate Baseball League (Albany), California Collegiate Summer Baseball League (Long Beach Lightning), and the Cal Ripken Senior Collegiate Baseball League (Rockville Express). In these roles, his focus has been preparing players to return stronger to their Division I programs, transfer successfully, or pursue professional opportunities. Coach Dwyer’s philosophy is rooted in hard work, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to becoming the best version of oneself both on and off the field. He emphasizes that success begins in the classroom and is carried onto the diamond through discipline and effort. Now entering his second season with the Spartans, Dwyer is eager to continue building on the program’s culture and competitiveness alongside Head Coach Lou McCollum. He resides in Rangely with his wife, Katie, and their two daughters, Olivia (11) and Kennedy (6).