Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) -The UIS baseball program has announced that Will Oberg will return for his third season on staff in 2025-26 as a full-time assistant coach and the team’s recruiting coordinator. He will continue to lead the Prairie Stars’ offensive development.
“Will has been a consistent and trusted presence throughout my time here at UIS,” said Head Coach Chris Rodriguez. “He’s a relentless worker and an excellent teacher who has led one of the best offenses in Division II baseball over the past two years. He has poured everything he has into UIS as both a player and a coach, and he will continue to do so as our recruiting coordinator.”
Since joining the Prairie Stars’ coaching staff as a graduate assistant in 2023-24, Oberg has played a key role in building one of the top offenses in the GLVC and across the country. He has led efforts in hitting development, offensive game planning, and recruiting-contributing to a lineup that finished the 2025 season first in the GLVC in home runs and doubles, and among the top teams in batting average, runs scored, and RBIs. On the defensive side, UIS led the GLVC in fielding percentage for the second consecutive year, reflecting the program’s commitment to strong fundamentals and balanced development.
“I am humbled by the opportunity to continue being a part of a program that I hold in such high regard,” said Oberg. “Thank you to Coach Rodriguez and UIS Athletics for their continued belief in me. A high standard has been set by those before me, and I look forward to the challenge of continuing that tradition of success while providing our athletes with the experience and development they deserve.”
Oberg also expanded his coaching experience in 2024 as manager of the Rockford Rivets in the Northwoods League, where he led the team to a franchise record in wins and helped establish the Rivets as one of the league’s top-performing teams. He joined the organization in 2023 as hitting coach, guiding the team through a record-breaking offensive season.
A former Prairie Star himself, Oberg joined UIS as a student-athlete in 2022-23, starting 22 games. His experience as both a player and coach at UIS gives him a deep understanding of the program’s culture and allows him to build strong, meaningful relationships with student-athletes.
Originally from Wayzata, Minn., Oberg began his collegiate playing career at Heartland Community College and Eastern Michigan University before transferring to UIS. His wide-ranging experience in collegiate and summer league baseball has prepared him to succeed as a recruiter, coach, and mentor committed to advancing the Prairie Stars’ tradition of excellence.
