Pace University Athletics

Henry Manning, a four-year starter and former captain of the Pace University baseball team, heads into his 26th season as head coach of the Setters in 2026. He took over the head coaching duties in May 2000, one season after returning to his alma mater as the assistant coach.

In 2025, Manning and his squad earned their second Northeast-10 Conference Championship title after claiming the third-seed in the Southwest Division on the final day of the regular season. Their outstanding run in the conference tournament earned the Setters their second East Regional bid in three seasons as the squad wrapped up their stellar campaign with 28 wins.

During the 2024 season, Pace finished with 28 wins under Manning while claiming the Southwest Divisional championship for the first-time in program history. With their 28 win season, Manning and the Setters posted their third straight winning season on the diamond.

In 2023, the Setters triumphed in the Northeast-10 Conference Championship to solidify their first ever conference title since joining the league. Also during the year, Manning earned his 500th career win as head coach of the Blue and Gold and in the campaign the Setters tied a program record for total single-season victories with 34 making an appearance in the NCAA East Regional Tournament.

The Setters enjoyed their sixth 30-win season under Manning in 2019. Pace finished second in the NE10 standings (17-9), earning a first-round home game in the conference tournament.

2019 also saw senior pitcher Danny Wirchansky become the 12th player under Manning to be selected in the MLB Draft (25th round, Milwaukee Brewers).

Manning became Pace's all-time winningest coach in 2018 with his 398th career triumph on March 30 against Southern Connecticut State. He would then go on to record his 400th career win on April 4 against LIU Post. 2018 also saw the Setters earn a berth into their fourth-straight Northeast-10 Conference Tournament.

During the 2016 season, Manning led the Setters to a 30-22 record, 11-7 division record, earning a piece of first place in the NE10 Southwest Division and qualifying the Setters for the NE10 playoffs where they advanced into the second round. Manning coached five All-Conference, three All-East Region, two AVCA/Rawlings All East Region and four ECAC All-Star selections. Manning also had two players go on to play professionally (Brett Bittiger and Dylan Mouzakes) following the 2016 season.

Manning guided Pace to one of the most successful seasons in program history as he led the 2013 Setters to their second most wins in school history with a 33-17 mark. The Setters were Co-Champions of the Northeast-10 Southwest Division with a 15-6 division record. Manning’s team was selected to 2013 NCAA Division II Tournament as an at-large bid as the #5 seed. It was the first trip to the NCAA's under Manning and only Pace's second appearance in the DII Tournament with their last trip coming in 1985. The Setters won their first game in the tournament as they defeated Saint Thomas Aquinas 3-0.

Manning was named the Northeast-10 Conference Coach of the Year for the 2012 baseball season. The Setters finished the season with a 29-19 overall record and won the NE-10 Southwest Division title with a 17-4 division record. The Setters improved by 13 wins from the 2011 year to 2012. Manning coached four All-Conference selections that year.

Manning has posted a career mark of 441-470-2 in 20 seasons as head coach. During his tenure at Pace, he coached 12 players that were eventually drafted by a Major League Baseball team. In 2008, Matt Rigoli and Jack Cawley were both selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2008 MLB Draft. Rigoli was taken in the 21st round, while Cawley was selected in the round 34. They joined an elite class of former Pace players drafted into the professional ranks, bringing Coach Manning’s total to nine players drafted during his tenure as head coach.

The previous group of Setters that were selected in the Major League Baseball draft consist of Matt Arburr (2007 St. Louis Cardinals, 17th round), David Qualben (2006 Houston Astros, 7th round), Bryan Hallberg (2006 Houston Astros, 12th round), Earl Oakes (2006 Oakland Athletics, 24th round), Matt Reilly (2006 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 27th round), Pat Stanley, (2004 Colorado Rockies, 16th Round) and Mike Bohlander (2002 Chicago White Sox, 27th Round).  

Prior to coming back to Pace, Manning enjoyed a nine-year professional career in baseball as both a player and coach.  As a player, Manning was a catcher in the Chicago White Sox organization from 1991-1995, reaching the AAA level in 1994.  He spent half of the 1995 season playing for the Winnipeg Goldeyes in the independent Northern League where he earned All-Star honors. He finished his playing career in 1996 after a brief stint with the Boston Red Sox organization.   

In 1997, Manning's first coaching job was managing the Johnstown Steal in the Frontier League. There, he guided the team to the best overall record and lost in the championship series.  He then spent two years as the Assistant General Manager/Coach of the New Jersey Jackals, where he helped build a team that won the Northern League title in the Jackals' inaugural season.  

As a Setter, Manning ranks among the all-time leaders in hits, doubles, home runs, RBI and runs scored.  As a freshman he led the team with a .373 average, and had his best year in 1988 when he hit .385 with 7 home runs.  He played two years in the highly regarded Cape Cod Summer League for the Brewster White Caps ('88) and Chatham A's ('89).