Coach Leslie is a 1985 graduate of Cardinal Mooney where he lettered in both basketball and baseball. He indicated that his dream has always been to become a head coach at his alma mater and he welcomes the opportunity to take charge of the Cardinals' baseball program and fulfill that dream, an opportunity that few scholastic coaches ever realize. He noted that his coaching philosophy mirrors that of his high school mentor Ron Stoops and will be based on playing aggressive basic baseball. Leslie, who had been head basketball coach at Ursuline High School since 2000, announced his resignation from the Irish coaching position.

The new Mooney mentor played collegiate baseball at Hiram and has also attended Youngstown State University. He is employed by the Mahoning County Engineers.

Leslie had been a varsity assistant basketball coach at Mooney for fourteen years and also served as a baseball assistant at Mooney between 1986 and 1994 and also between 1997 and 2000. From 1995 to 1997, he assisted at Canfield. In addition to his interscholastic experience, Leslie served as an assistant manager for Fabulous Goldsteins in Youngstown's Class B league
from 1986 to 1989 and was named manager of the Astro Falcons in 1990. He managed the Falcons to a 50-14 record and an appearance in the Connie Mack World Series in New Mexico in 1990 and his 1993 team claimed the Ohio state championship.

Leslie and his wife, the former Julie Kopp, are the parents of a son, Daniel and reside in Boardman.