Beals played college baseball at Kent State University from 1989 to 1991 for coach Danny Hall.

[1] After ending his playing career, Beals became an assistant coach at Kent State, working primarily on recruiting.

In nine seasons with the Golden Flashes, the team claimed a pair of MAC Tournament championships and made three NCAA Regional appearances.

This was after six starting position players and a top pitcher from the NCAA Tournament team, four of whom were drafted.

[1][3][4][5][6] Beals lead the Buckeyes to their first NCAA Regional in 2016, with a Big Ten Conference Tournament championship, their first postseason appearance since 2009.