Northern Kentucky names Dizzy Peyton as Head Coach

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Dizzy Peyton has been named the third head coach in Northern Kentucky University baseball program history announced Ken Bothof, director of athletics, on Tuesday afternoon.

“I’ve had the opportunity to watch Coach Peyton grow and interact with student-athletes, fellow coaches, and staff for several years. He is highly regarded and respected as a staff member and has embraced the culture we strive to achieve at NKU,” said Bothof. “His vision and understanding of the next steps that need to be made by our baseball program, which compliment all the positives already attributed to Norse baseball, gives me confidence in the future.”

“I would first like to thank God, my wife Amanda and family, Ken, Jeff [Baldwin], Dan [McIver] and all of the administration for their support and belief in me to be the third head coach in NKU baseball history,” said Peyton. “I would also like to thank Todd Asalon for his support over the past 17 years. The opportunity to carry on in Coach [Bill] Aker’s and Coach Asalon’s legacies is very humbling and I am honored to get to lead our program into the future.

“There are so many more people to thank, from our alumni, our student-athletes, friends and family who have shown me so much love and support throughout this whole process. I am incredibly grateful for those relationships and honored to get to work for everyone involved in our NKU baseball family.

“I am very excited to begin the next chapter in Norse history. Our program will bring energy and enthusiasm into everything we do. And, I look forward to beginning that journey.”

Peyton assumes the role following a 17-year stint on the Norse bench as an assistant coach. Joining NKU in 2005, he spent his first two years as a volunteer assistant before transitioning into a full-time capacity the last 15 seasons.

Under Peyton’s guidance, 10 Norse pitchers have gone on to the professional ranks, including four by way of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Current LA Dodger Nate Jones, who was taken in the fifth round as the 179^th pick, highlights that list.


With Peyton on the bench, NKU registered five-straight NCAA Division II Regional Tournament appearances from 2008-12 and six regional bids overall. The Norse also won a pair of GLVC titles in 2008 and 2009. Following the transition to NCAA Division I status, Peyton helped the Norse to a third-place Horizon League finish in 2017 and the program’s first postseason win of the era with an opening round victory in the Horizon League Tournament.

Off the field, Peyton has been a leader throughout Norse Athletics, the University and region as well. He led a small group discussion as part of Northern Kentucky Athletics’ larger staff conversations on social justice this past year.

In 2018, NKU baseball received the Horizon League’s Bobby Fong Award in recognition of the integrity, respect and stewardship the team displays. One of the key team attributes resulting in the honor is the team’s inclusive environment and welcoming nature in support of team manager Ryan Mavriplis. Peyton is a mentor and close friend to Mavriplis, who has Down Syndrome. Norse baseball annually volunteers at the Buddy Walk hosted by the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati, an effort organized by Peyton. He has also been a chaperone on three mission trips to the Dominican Republic featuring both students and student-athletes at NKU which is traditionally taken in early January and provides support to under-privileged areas.

Peyton’s leadership has extended to the classroom as well. Impressively, Norse baseball has posted a team GPA above 3.0 in each of the last 14 semesters.

Prior to beginning his coaching career, Peyton pitched for the Norse during the 2003 season before Tommy John surgery closed out his playing days. In his lone campaign on the mound for NKU, he posted a 4.44 ERA with a 3-3 record, fanning 44 hitters and issuing just 20 free passes.

Peyton follows Asalon, who retired at the conclusion of the 2021 campaign after spending 21 seasons at the helm of the program, and 29-year skipper and Northern Kentucky University David Lee Holt Hall of Fame member Aker. Norse baseball wrapped up its 50^th season in May and is 1371-1158-2 (.542 winning percentage) all-time.

Career Timeline
Season     Location                      Role
2021         Northern Kentucky     Assistant Coach
2020         Northern Kentucky     Assistant Coach
2019         Northern Kentucky     Assistant Coach
2018         Northern Kentucky     Assistant Coach
2017         Northern Kentucky     Assistant Coach
2016         Northern Kentucky     Assistant Coach
2015         Northern Kentucky     Assistant Coach
2014         Northern Kentucky     Assistant Coach
2013         Northern Kentucky     Assistant Coach
2012         Northern Kentucky     Assistant Coach
2011         Northern Kentucky     Assistant Coach
2010         Northern Kentucky     Assistant Coach
2009         Northern Kentucky     Assistant Coach
2008         Northern Kentucky     Assistant Coach
2007         Northern Kentucky     Assistant Coach
2006         Quincy Gems              Pitching Coach
2006         Northern Kentucky     Vol. Assistant Coach
2005         Northern Kentucky     Vol. Assistant Coach