Coaching Staff
Matt Passerelle
Field Manager
Matt Passerelle will begin his first season as the field manager of the Chicago Dogs in 2025. Passerelle has established himself as a respected figure in baseball coaching, especially within the independent professional leagues. His coaching career kicked off after playing college baseball at Iona College and then professionally in the Frontier League. Passerelle began making his mark as a hitting coach for the Sioux City Explorers from 2015 to 2019, where his expertise was instrumental in securing back-to-back Central Division Championships in 2015 and 2016, followed by a South Division Championship in 2019. During this period, the Explorers were among the top hitting teams in the league, highlighting Passerelle’s impact on the team’s success. His coaching led to a remarkable 75-25 record in 2015, one of the best in the league’s history. Passerelle continued his coaching career with the Milwaukee Milkmen, where he helped guide them to a championship in 2020. In 2022, Passerelle joined the Kane County Cougars coaching staff where he helped lead the team sweep their way to becoming the 2024 Wolff Cup champions.
Stu Cliburn
Pitching Coach
Stu Cliburn enters his fifth season as Chicago Dogs pitching coach. Cliburn boasts an impressive professional baseball history. It all began four decades ago, when the Pittsburgh Pirates selected him in the fourth round of the 1977 MLB Draft. Cliburn signed with the Angels in 1982 and two years later, debuted at the big-league level. Skyrocketing into a dependable relief pitcher in 1985, he appeared in 44 games, posting a 2.09 ERA and finishing 5th in the American League Rookie of the Year voting that season. In 1991, Cliburn transitioned into a coaching role in the Angels organization until 1993 when he joined the Twins organization as a pitching coach. Cliburn remained with the Twins through the 2019 season, coaching at every level during his 28-year run with the organization ending with the Rochester Red Wings (Triple-A).
Owen Reith
Bench Coach
Owen Reith is returning for his third year with the Chicago Dogs. During the 2023 and 2024 seasons he assisted as both 1st Base Coach and Bench Coach. Playing and working in the Frontier League and Atlantic League throughout his career as a pitcher and as a staff member helped him build a strong knowledge base for success through a variety of experiences over the years. Reith brings a range of experience and baseball expertise from managing and coaching semi-pro baseball as well. Since 2021 he has assisted in over 500 player signings to MLB partner leagues through the Black Sox organization. Additionally in 2023 he helped lead the last place Kenosha Kings to a winning Wisconsin State League Class A Championship.