Dave Bingham is in his fourth year on the Nebraska staff and possesses a wealth of coaching knowledge that spans more than three decades.

At Nebraska, he serves as the Huskers’ defensive coordinator, overseeing team defense and working with the Husker infielders. In addition, Bingham handles opponent scouting and serves as the program’s recruiting coordinator.

Bingham, who joined the Husker coaching staff in August of 2005, has been a coach in the collegiate ranks for 26 seasons, including successful head coaching stints at Emporia State (1974-87) and Kansas (1988-95). In addition to his vast coaching experience, which includes eight tours with various USA Baseball programs, Bingham ran the Dave Bingham Baseball Academy, one of the top instructional schools in the Midwest, for a decade before joining the Huskers. For his accomplishments, he was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in January of 2009.

In 2008, Nebraska tied for second in the Big 12 with a .971 fielding percentage, while third baseman Jake Mort tied a position record with his .964 fielding percentage. Bingham also tutored All-Big 12 second baseman Jake Opitz, who was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 12th round of the 2008 MLB Draft.

In 2006 and 2007, Bingham served as the Huskers’ pitching coach. He showed the ability to develop talent, as 10 of his pitchers were drafted, including a school-record seven selections in 2007. Of the 10 pitchers drafted in Bingham’s tenure, only three had been drafted as pitchers prior to joining the Husker program, and all 10 significantly improved their draft stock under Bingham.

The 2007 season marked the first time in school history that three Husker pitchers - Drew Bowman (fifth), Matt Foust (sixth) and All-American Tony Watson (ninth) - had been plucked in the first 10 rounds. In his first season as NU’s pitching coach, he guided the Huskers to a 3.40 ERA, which ranked second in the Big 12 and 13th nationally, while three pitchers - Watson, Johnny Dorn and Brett Jensen - earned All-Big 12 accolades. Bingham played a key role in the development of first-round draft pick Joba Chamberlain, who reached the Major Leagues in his first professional season.

Player development is a trademark under Bingham, who was the head coach for eight years at Kansas from 1988 to 1995 and 14 years at Emporia State from 1974 to 1987, compiling a career record of 807-495-2 in that span.

He built a successful program at Kansas in his eight years at the school, becoming one of the Jayhawks’ all-time winningest coaches with a 249-225 record. Bingham led Kansas to its first two NCAA Regional appearances in program history, culminating with the school’s first College World Series appearance in 1993. That team finished with a 45-18 record, setting a school record for wins and earning a top-10 ranking. For his efforts, he was named Big Eight and ABCA Midwest Region Coach of the Year.  The following year, he brought KU back to the NCAA Tournament with another 40-win season and finished the season ranked in the top 25. 

Bingham had six players combine for seven All-America certificates at Kansas, while 20 players were drafted or signed professional contracts during that time, a fact made more impressive since only two of those players were drafted prior to coming to Kansas.

Prior to his arrival at Kansas, Bingham spent 14 seasons at Emporia State, where he posted a 588-270-2 record (.673). During his tenure at ESU, Bingham built the Hornet baseball program into one of the best in the NAIA ranks. His teams won 11 district titles, five regional crowns and eight conference championships. He led ESU to five NAIA World Series appearances and won the national championship in 1978. Bingham was selected NAIA District X Coach of the Year 10 times, NAIA Area III Coach of the Year six times, and was recognized as the national coach of the year in 1976, 1984 and 1986. A total of 20 of his former players advanced into the professional ranks.

Bingham’s success throughout the years has afforded him numerous opportunities on the national and international level. He served as an assistant coach on the U.S. Olympic team that won a silver medal in 1984 and a gold medal in 1988. In 1984, he served as the head coach of the bronze medal-winning U.S. team at the World Championships. Overall, Bingham has coached on eight international squads that have won three gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze medal.

Bingham, 60, played his college ball at Arizona and Emporia State before embarking on a brief professional career in the Washington Senators organization in the early 1970s.  Bingham earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1972 and his master’s degree in 1973 at Emporia State.

Bingham, and his wife, Janet, have two children, Brianna, 29, and Brandon, 26, who played his collegiate baseball at New Mexico.