Danny Casals joined the University of Miami baseball program as director of player development/infield ahead of the 2027 season, returning to his hometown as he enters his eighth year in coaching.
A Miami native and graduate of Christopher Columbus High School, Casals spent the previous seven seasons at his alma mater, serving as associate head coach from 2019-26. During his coaching career, he has worked with more than 10 players who have gone on to be selected in the MLB Draft, including Jeremy Peña, George Lombard Jr., Jacob Lombard, Antonio Jimenez, Daniel Cuvet and Adrian Santana.
Casals has built a strong reputation for his work with infielders and defensive development. Peña earned a Gold Glove Award during his first year working with Casals, while George Lombard Jr. and Jacob Lombard have trained with him since high school and developed into highly regarded defenders.
Lombard Jr. has been recognized by Baseball America as the top defensive shortstop in the minor leagues and quickly shot up through the New York Yankees system, making his debut in August of 2026.
Before beginning his coaching career, Casals played at the University of Maine from 2015-19. He earned first-team all-conference honors in both 2018 and 2019 and was named first-team All-Northeast in 2018. Following his collegiate career, Casals signed with the Milwaukee Brewers as a free agent and spent one season at the rookie level, batting .333.
His baseball background also includes experience with USA Baseball. Casals was selected for Team USA in 2012 and later earned a position on the USA Baseball coaching staff for its identifier series.
Casals earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Maine in 2019 and completed a graduate degree in literacy in 2022.
He and his wife, Kristina, have one daughter, Narina.