Coach David Rivera comes full circle in the 2025-26 school year to become head baseball coach of the Von Steuben Panthers for the 2nd time. During his first run as Von Steuben head baseball coach during ‘06 and ‘07, the Panthers acquired the baseball field at NEIU (current home of the Panthers) and were promoted up to the power conference of the Chicago Public League, where they have remained since. Most recently, Coach Rivera joined the varsity baseball staff as assistant head coach during the summer of 2017. During that span, the Panthers went from a 1-12 conference record (7th place) in 2017, to winning 1st place in the Jackie Robinson North conference in 2022. 

Coach Rivera’s high school coaching experience spans 20+ years in the Chicago Public League. He started as a lower level coach in 1999, then as a varsity assistant coach for many seasons. His track record of success as a head coach includes a freshmen city championship in 1999 (Lane), a sophomore city championship in 2001 (Lane), and a varsity city championship in 2016 (Lane). He has been a varsity head coach at Von Steuben (’06-‘07), Northside Prep (’11-’13), and Lane Tech (’14-‘17), compiling a 163-94 record in that span. 

Professionally, Coach Rivera worked at Von Steuben for 17 years as school security officer and then as Dean of School Culture, before leaving to work as Dean of Students at IC Catholic Prep HS for the 2022-23 school year. He returned to CPS the following school year (2023-24) as Dean of Students/Youth Intervention Specialist at Mather High School, and rejoined the Panthers baseball program as well. Coach Rivera remains in the same student support role at Mather High School. 

Coach Rivera was a catcher at Lane Tech ‘93. Truman College ‘95, and earned a bachelors and masters degree in Sport Management from Southern New Hampshire University. 

Von Steuben High School is proud to welcome Coach Danny Hernandez to its coaching staff.

Coach Hernandez brings over 40 years of baseball experience as both a player and coach. His baseball foundation was built at a young age as a bat boy for the Chicago Cubs, where he gained early exposure to the standards and preparation of Major League Baseball.

A proven performer on the field, Hernandez played four years at North Park College, where he led the conference in home runs and earned All-Conference honors. He has since built a strong coaching résumé at the high school level, with experience at St. Benedict, DePaul  Prep, and Lane Tech.

Known as a respected defensive specialist, Coach Hernandez has developed some of the smoothest, most fundamentally sound fielders in the area. His attention to detail and emphasis on fundamentals consistently translate into strong defensive play and team success.

Hernandez is also well regarded in the travel baseball community, with teams that have ranked among the top programs in Illinois and nationally over the past five years, compiling a 285–43 record during that span. His approach to player development emphasizes preparation, accountability, and confidence, helping athletes compete at a high level.

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to join Coach Rivera and the Von Steuben baseball program,” said Hernandez. “I’m excited to work with a hardworking and talented group of young men. They’re coming off a great season, and I look forward to helping them continue to develop, build on last year’s success, and take the next step in making Von Steuben one of the top baseball programs in Illinois.”

Coach Cott has been a Physical Education teacher and Head Baseball Coach at Von Steuben High School since 2008, where he has lead the Panthers to over 200 wins, including the Jackie Robinson North Conference Championship (2010, 2022, 2023) and making the Chicago Public League Final Four (2011). Coach Cott was named Jackie Robinson North Conference Coach of the Year (2023). Prior to Von, Coach Cott was a Freshman Coach at Evanston High School (2005-2007) where he had a final record of 65-23 (.738). In addition to baseball, Coach Cott has been a Varsity volleyball coach (2004-2018) in the Central Suburban League (CSL North), serving as a Head Coach 11 of those years (Niles North and Maine West). Cott finished his career recording 220 wins and 185 losses, including a Regional Championship (2012) and Conference Championship (2017).  

Coach Cott graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Honors Program at Loyola University Chicago (2000) where, in addition to being a member of the Club baseball team, he double majored in Marketing and Finance. After two-years as a financial analyst, Coach Cott went back to school for education. Coach Cott earned his teaching certificate in Physical Education and Health from North Park University (2004), before earning a Masters Degree in Education Leadership from Concordia University Chicago (2009), and a second Masters Degree in Special Education from Grand Canyon University (2012). In addition, Coach Cott has attended numerous Coaching Clinics throughout the country as a member of both of American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). Coach Cott has also been a member of the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association (IHSBCA) and Chicago Public League Baseball Coaches Association (CPLBCA).

Coach Cott grew up in Western New York, where he was a two-sport Varsity athlete, lettering in Baseball and Basketball. 

 

Coach Panczak has been a member of the Von Steuben Staff since 2020 serving as Head Freshman Coach and Program Assistant. Prior to Von, Coach Panczak served as an Assistant Coach throughout the Chicago Public League including Foreman (16 years), Walter Payton (2 years), and Northside College Prep (7 years). While at Northside, Coach Panczak was a member of Coach Rivera's Staff that made it to the CPS Final Four (4x) and won two Regional Titles. In addition, Panczak coached the Humboldt Travelers (3 years) and was on the CPS Executive Board for Baseball Operations (2 years).

Coach Panczak played baseball at Foreman high school and is still playing in Men's League to this day. In addition to baseball, Coach played Semi Professional hockey and is proud of his picture taken with the Stanley Cup after the Blackhawks Championship. 

One of Coach's favorite quotes is "Success is never owed, it's rented, and the rent is due every day"     

Coach Nowak has been coaching baseball for 35 years, ranging from 7 year old Park district players to high school Varsity teams. Coach was a baseball and hockey player growing up, playing for various traveling teams. In addition to coaching at Von Steuben, Coach Nowak has coached baseball at St. Pat's and Northside Prep. Coach's main area of expertise is working with the Pitching Staff.  

Coach JD has been teaching Physical Education, Health, and Reading Intervention in CPS for the past 16 years.  JD has coached at the elementary and high school levels for the past 22 years.  In addition to coaching baseball at Von, JD also coaches middle school basketball and soccer.  He previously coached baseball and soccer at Saint Patrick High School.  While at Saint Patrick, coach JD was an assistant coach for the school's first ever regional soccer championship, which the team won in back-to-back seasons.

As a 3-sport student-athlete at Saint Patrick, JD played soccer (MF) and baseball (P/3B), and was the punter and kicker for the varsity football team for 3 seasons.  Injuries and surgeries limited his playing options after high school, so JD began his coaching career after graduating from Saint Patrick.  Coach JD graduated with honors from Saint Patrick, DePaul University (BSPE, minor in History), and Concordia University (master's in School Leadership with Type 75 Certification).  He also holds endorsements in Health Education, Social Science, and English as a Second Language (ESL).