Zander will take over the head post from Steve Less, who served as the team's interim coach for the 2012 season. Less is leaving the program to be with his parents in Georgia due to a family medical situation.

"We are very sorry to lose Steve Less, especially under these circumstances," said Hampton."He is doing the right thing for his family and we wish him the very best.We know that Derek is going to continue the success baseball has had here at Iowa Wesleyan, and look forward to moving through the transitional period to our membership in the NCAA with many more wins on the baseball field."

Zander was an assistant coach for the Tigers this past season, when IWC finished with a 24-31 overall record, placed fourth in the Midwest Collegiate Conference with a 14-10 record, and advanced to the finals of the MCC Tournament. He assisted with the pitching staff and also was actively involved in recruiting for the program.

A native of Colorado Springs, Colo., and a 2011 graduate of IWC with a degree in Exercise Science, Zander played for the Tiger baseball team in 2010-11 after transferring to the school from Indian Hills Community College in Centerville. As a starting pitcher he appeared in 28 games, starting 20, and posted an 8-8 career record with a 5.47 earned run average and 64 strikeouts in 110 1/3 innings pitched. Zander ranks tied for ninth on Iowa Wesleyan's current all-time list for appearances by a pitcher, and in his two years was a member of a pair of Midwest Collegiate Conference champion teams, including the 2011 team which made it to the NAIA National Tournament.