CCOACHESOACHES & SSTAFFTAFF

HHeadead ccoachoach JohnJohn CohenCohen andand thethe baseballbaseball coachingcoaching staffstaff TTHEHE CCOACHINGOACHING SSTAFFTAFF Head coach (Mississippi State University, 1990) J Johnohn Cohen,Cohen, regardedregarded byby manymany asas oneone ofof thethe eearnedarned fi veve NCAANCAA postseasonpostseason advancements.advancements. ttopop offensiveoffensive tacticianstacticians onon thethe collegiatecollegiate baseballbaseball HisHis prowessprowess asas oneone ofof thethe nation’snation’s toptop youngyoung sscene,cene, isis inin hishis fi rstrst yearyear asas headhead baseballbaseball coachcoach hhittingitting instructorsinstructors hashas mountedmounted withwith eacheach stepstep aatt MississippiMississippi StateState University.University. HeHe waswas introducedintroduced aalonglong thethe wayway inin hishis coachingcoaching career.career. ButBut ItIt tooktook aass MSU’sMSU’s 16th16th headhead baseballbaseball JuneJune 7,7, 2008,2008, ex-ex- oonn nationalnational proportionsproportions inin 20062006 when,when, inin hishis thirdthird aactlyctly 1818 yearsyears toto thethe dayday afterafter leavingleaving Omaha,Omaha, sseasoneason atat Kentucky,Kentucky, hehe guidedguided thethe WildcatsWildcats toto NNeb.,eb., andand thethe 19901990 NCAANCAA CollegeCollege WorldWorld SeriesSeries a remarkableremarkable worst-to-worst-to-fi rstrst fi nishnish inin thethe ruggedrugged ffollowingollowing hishis fi nalnal gamegame asas a MississippiMississippi StateState SSoutheasternoutheastern Conference.Conference. pplayer.layer. UnderUnder Cohen’sCohen’s direction,direction, KentuckyKentucky postedposted C Cohen’sohen’s returnreturn toto Starkville,Starkville, Miss.,Miss., andand DudyDudy a school-bestschool-best 44-win44-win season,season, thethe school’sschool’s fi rstrst NNobleoble FieldField completescompletes a success-success-fi lledlled andand fast-fast- SSoutheasternoutheastern ConferenceConference baseballbaseball champion-champion- ppacedaced circlecircle thatthat beganbegan whenwhen thethe Tuscaloosa,Tuscaloosa, sshiphip andand broughtbrought thethe fi rstrst NCAANCAA regionalregional baseballbaseball AAla.,la., nativenative fi rstrst joinedjoined thethe BaseballBaseball BulldogBulldog familyfamily ttournamentournament toto thethe LexingtonLexington campuscampus notednoted moremore aass a pplayerlayer iinn 11987.987. fforor itsits hoopshoops prominence.prominence. ThatThat team,team, featuringfeaturing thethe HeHe camecame backback toto MississippiMississippi StateState seasonedseasoned llikesikes ofof All-AmericanAll-American standoutstandout andand SECSEC PlayerPlayer ofof wwithith 1717 yearsyears ofof collegiatecollegiate coachingcoaching experience,experience, tthehe yearyear RyanRyan StriebyStrieby andand All-SECAll-SEC performersperformers nnineine yearsyears asas a collegiatecollegiate headhead coach,coach, thethe lastlast JJohnohn ShelbyShelby andand SeanSean Coughlin,Coughlin, virtuallyvirtually rewroterewrote fi vvee asas headhead coachcoach atat SoutheasternSoutheastern ConferenceConference tthehe KentuckyKentucky recordrecord book.book. EEasternastern DivisionDivision rivalrival Kentucky.Kentucky. C Cohen’sohen’s coachingcoaching effortsefforts diddid notnot gogo unno-unno- The Bulldog skipper, an All-Southeastern tticed.iced. HeHe waswas accordedaccorded nnationalational coachcoach ofof thethe Conference outfi elder dur- yyearear honorshonors byby bothboth thethe CollegeCollege BaseballBaseball Foun-Foun- ing his playing career at ddationation andand CollegeBaseballInsider.comCollegeBaseballInsider.com and,and, forfor Mississippi State, sports a tthehe thirdthird timetime inin hishis career,career, waswas tabbedtabbed byby hishis 321-197-1 coaching mark ppeerseers forfor conferenceconference coachcoach ofof thethe yearyear acco-acco- (.619) as he enters his llades.ades. 10th season as a col- T Thehe newnew BulldogBulldog coachcoach hashas maintainedmaintained a legiate head coach in ttorridorrid pacepace inin thethe monthsmonths sincesince hishis arrivalarrival atat Mis-Mis- ssissippiissippi State.State. In his previous H Hee quicklyquickly assembledassembled a well-respectedwell-respected coaching assign- aandnd highly-skilledhighly-skilled staff,staff, featuringfeaturing coachescoaches well-well- ments at Missouri vversedersed inin MississippiMississippi State’sState’s colorfulcolorful baseballbaseball (1992-97), North- hhistory,istory, thethe MagnoliaMagnolia State’sState’s highhigh schoolschool andand western (La.) State jjuniorunior collegecollege programs,programs, andand thethe highly-competi-highly-competi- (1998-2001), Flor- ttiveive SoutheasternSoutheastern Conference.Conference. ida (2002-03) and A Allll thethe whilewhile CohenCohen hashas continuedcontinued toto movemove Kentucky (2004- tthehe MSUMSU baseballbaseball programprogram forward.forward. OnOn thethe facili-facili- 08), Cohen has ttiesies front,front, MississippiMississippi State’sState’s impressiveimpressive baseballbaseball been associat- ccampusampus addedadded anan auxiliaryauxiliary outdooroutdoor practicepractice in-in- ed with teams fi eeldld adjacentadjacent toto thethe spaciousspacious PalmeiroPalmeiro Center.Center. that piled up H Hisis commitmentcommitment toto excellenceexcellence inin thethe class-class- 555 wins and rroomoom resultedresulted inin a 3.313.31 teamteam gradegrade pointpoint aver-aver- aagege duringduring thethe fallfall (2008)(2008) ssemester,emester, MSUMSU ’sBaseball’s bbestest semestersemester GPAGPA inin sschoolchool historyhistory andand thethe sec-sec- oond-highestnd-highest ofof thethe semes-semes- tterer amongamong men’smen’s sportssports tteameam atat State.State. CContinuingontinuing a trademarktrademark tthathat hashas growngrown duringduring hishis ccoachingoaching career,career, CohenCohen hhasas rapidlyrapidly becomebecome a high-high- llyy sought-aftersought-after featuredfeatured sspeakerpeaker andand clinician.clinician. HeHe hhasas criss-crossedcriss-crossed thethe na-na- ttionion sharingsharing hishis baseballbaseball eexpertisexpertise atat baseballbaseball clin-clin- iicscs inin 3030 states.states. AndAnd sincesince aarrivingrriving atat MississippiMississippi SStatetate lastlast summer,summer, Co-Co- hhenen hashas maintainedmaintained a fullfull

1100 TTHEHE CCOACHINGOACHING SSTAFFTAFF

CCOHENOHEN CCOACHINGOACHING YYEAREAR-BBYY-YYEAREAR YYearear S Schoolchool P Positionosition R Recordecord T Teameam hhonorsonors 11992992 MissouriMissouri grad.grad. asst.asst. 34-2234-22 11993993 MissouriMissouri grad.grad. asst.asst. 30-1930-19 11994994 MissouriMissouri grad.grad. asst.asst. 32-2632-26 11995995 MissouriMissouri asst.asst. coachcoach 19-3419-34 11996996 MissouriMissouri asst.asst. coachcoach 39-1939-19 NCAANCAA RegionalRegional 11997997 MissouriMissouri asst.asst. coachcoach 31-2731-27 11998998 NorthwesternNorthwestern StateState headhead coachcoach 40-2040-20 SouthlandSouthland Conf.Conf. championschampions 11999999 NorthwesternNorthwestern StateState headhead coachcoach 38-2138-21 22000000 NorthwesternNorthwestern StateState headhead coachcoach 30-2630-26 22001001 NorthwesternNorthwestern StateState headhead coachcoach 38-1738-17 SouthlandSouthland Conf.Conf. championschampions 22002002 FloridaFlorida asst.asst. coachcoach 37-21-137-21-1 NCAANCAA RegionalRegional 22003003 FloridaFlorida asst.asst. coachcoach 46-1946-19 NCAANCAA RegionalRegional 22004004 KentuckyKentucky headhead coachcoach 24-3024-30 22005005 KentuckyKentucky headhead coachcoach 29-2729-27 22006006 KentuckyKentucky headhead coachcoach 44-1744-17 SECSEC champions/NCAAchampions/NCAA RegionalRegional 22007007 KentuckyKentucky headhead coachcoach 34-19-134-19-1 22008008 KentuckyKentucky headhead coachcoach 44-1944-19 NCAANCAA RegionalRegional 22009009 MississippiMississippi StateState headhead coachcoach OOverallverall coachingcoaching recordrecord (18(18 seasons)seasons) 555-383-2555-383-2 The JOHN COHEN file HHeadead ccoachingoaching recordrecord (nine(nine seasons)seasons) 321-196-1321-196-1 PERSONAL BACKGROUND sschedulechedule ofof speakingspeaking engagementsengagements atat alumnialumni eernrn uniform,uniform, deliveringdelivering a double,double, a tripletriple andand Birth date: September 21, 1966 ggatherings,atherings, civiccivic organizationorganization meetingsmeetings andand atat ddrivingriving threethree runsruns inin thethe splitsplit ofof a MississippiMississippi Birth place: Tuscaloosa, Ala. bbaseballaseball banquetsbanquets onon a varietyvariety ofof levelslevels inin thethe SState-Birmingham-Southerntate-Birmingham-Southern doubleheaderdoubleheader inin Wife: Nelle (Bashinsky) of Tuscaloosa, Ala. MMagnoliaagnolia State.State. SStarkville.tarkville. Daughters: Jordan Baker (14) and Avery Lawson (12) HeHe ratesrates asas oneone ofof 2222 activeactive collegecollege headhead C Cohenohen transferredtransferred toto StateState thatthat fall,fall, sit-sit- EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND ccoachesoaches toto havehave playedplayed inin thethe NCAANCAA CollegeCollege ttinging outout thethe 19871987 campaigncampaign beforebefore beginningbeginning High School: Tuscaloosa (Ala) Academy (1985) WWorldorld Series.Series. CohenCohen isis alsoalso oneone ofof threethree SECSEC hhisis DiamondDiamond DogDog careercareer playingplaying underunder leg-leg- Undergraduate: Mississippi State University, 1990 (English) hheadead baseballbaseball coachescoaches coachingcoaching atat hishis almaalma eendaryndary MSUMSU headhead coachcoach RRonon PPolkolk. HeHe waswas Graduate: Missouri, 1994 (sports management) mmaterater andand thethe fi fthfth MississippiMississippi StateState gradgrad toto a keykey contributorcontributor duringduring thethe mostmost successfulsuccessful PLAYING CAREER sserveerve inin thatthat capacitycapacity atat MSU.MSU. tthree-yearhree-year spanspan inin MSU’sMSU’s storiedstoried baseballbaseball 1982-85: Tuscaloosa (Ala) Academy Cohen,Cohen, 42,42, isis marriedmarried toto thethe formerformer NNelleelle hhistory.istory. TheThe BulldogsBulldogs advancedadvanced toto anan NCAANCAA 1986: Birmingham-Southern BBashinskyashinsky, alsoalso fromfrom Tuscaloosa,Tuscaloosa, Ala.,Ala., andand rregionalegional tournamenttournament berthberth inin eacheach ofof Cohen’sCohen’s 1987-90: Mississippi State University ttheyhey havehave twotwo daughtersdaughters - JJordanordan BBakeraker aandnd tthreehree seasonsseasons asas a player,player, cappedcapped byby a runrun 1990-91: Minnesota Twins farm system AAveryvery LLawsonawson. ttoo OmahaOmaha andand thethe 19901990 NCAANCAA CollegeCollege WorldWorld PLAYING HONORS SSeries.eries. InIn 1989,1989, hehe helpedhelped leadlead thethe BulldogsBulldogs 1990: First-team All- CCOHENOHEN THETHE DIAMONDDIAMOND DOGDOG ttoo thethe SECSEC championshipchampionship andand a school-recordschool-record 1990: MILB draft - 22nd round (Minnesota Twins) MississippiMississippi StateState skipperskipper JohnJohn CohenCohen 5544 wins.wins. DuringDuring thatthat spanspan thethe BulldogsBulldogs com-com- COACHING BACKGROUND wwearsears a No.No. 1111 baseballbaseball jersey.jersey. ppilediled a 148-46148-46 recordrecord (.763)(.763) thatthat includedincluded twotwo 1992-94: (graduate assistant coach) It’sIt’s thethe samesame numbernumber hehe worewore duringduring hishis ooff thethe program’sprogram’s threethree 50-win50-win campaigns.campaigns. 1995-97: University of Missouri (assistant coach) ccollegiateollegiate careercareer atat State.State. A Alonglong thethe wayway CohenCohen fi nishednished hishis careercareer 1998-2001: Northwestern State (head coach) CCohenohen waswas anan accomplishedaccomplished two-sporttwo-sport rrankedanked inin thethe toptop 1010 inin severalseveral statisticalstatistical cat-cat- 2002-03: (assistant coach) 2004-08: (head coach) ppreprep athleteathlete atat TTuscaloosauscaloosa AcademyAcademy, earn-earn- eegoriesgories atat MississippiMississippi StateState andand earnedearned fi rst-rst- iingng all-stateall-state honorshonors inin bothboth baseballbaseball andand bas-bas- tteameam All-SoutheasternAll-Southeastern ConferenceConference distinctiondistinction 2009 —: Mississippi State University (head coach) kketball.etball. HisHis TATA hoopshoops teamsteams wonwon threethree straightstraight aass a senior.senior. HeHe waswas selectedselected byby thethe MinnesotaMinnesota COACHING HONORS sstatetate titlestitles andand a school-recordschool-record 100100 consecu-consecu- TTwinswins inin thethe 22nd22nd roundround ofof thethe 19901990 MajorMajor 1998: Southland Conference Coach of the Year 2001: Southland Conference Coach of the Year ttiveive games.games. ButBut itit waswas onon thethe baseballbaseball dia-dia- LLeagueeague BaseballBaseball DraftDraft andand playedplayed twotwo yearsyears 2005: USA Baseball National Team mmondond asas a four-yearfour-year regularregular playingplaying forfor coachcoach iinn thethe Twins’Twins’ minorminor leagueleague systemsystem priorprior toto be-be- 2006: SEC/ABCA South Region Coach of the Year Don McNabb thatthat CohenCohen excelled.excelled. gginninginning hishis coachingcoaching careercareer atat Missouri.Missouri. 2006: National Coach of the Year He capped his prep career with a stel- lar senior season in 1985, the same year that, CCOHENOHEN THETHE COACHCOACH 90 miles away, the likes of JJeffeff BrantleyBrantley, WWillill CohenCohen traveledtraveled toto Columbia,Columbia, Mo.,Mo., inin thethe aandnd BBobbyobby ThigpenThigpen ffallall ofof 19911991 toto beginbegin hishis coachingcoaching career,career, ini-ini- were leading MSU’s Baseball Bulldogs to a ttiallyially servingserving asas a graduategraduate assistantassistant onon coachcoach school-best third-place fi nish in the NCAA GGeneene McArtorMcArtor’’ss baseballbaseball staffstaff atat thethe UUni-ni- . vversityersity ofof MMissouriissouri. TimTim JamiesonJamieson followedfollowed After graduation, he inked with Birming-Birming- MMcArtorcArtor asas thethe Tigers’Tigers’ headhead coachcoach followingfollowing ham-Southern. AsAs a rookierookie hehe waswas thethe tthehe ‘95‘95 campaign,campaign, andand JamiesonJamieson tabbedtabbed Co-Co- Panthers’ starting center fi elder, hitting hhenen asas hishis chiefchief assistant,assistant, hittinghitting coachcoach andand at a crisp .333 clip and earning team rrecruitingecruiting coordinator.coordinator. defensive MVP honors. On April 24 that ThatThat season,season, MissouriMissouri wonwon thethe BigBig EightEight season Cohen made his cchampionshiphampionship andand advancedadvanced toto anan NCAANCAA re-re- Field debut in a Birmingham-South- ggionalional berthberth

TThehe CCohensohens ------NNelle,elle, AAvery,very, JohnJohn aandnd JJordanordan

1111 TTHEHE CCOACHINGOACHING SSTAFFTAFF

SSouthlandouthland CoachCoach ofof thethe InIn 2002,2002, Cohen’sCohen’s GatorGator offenseoffense ledled thethe nationnation YYearear duringduring bothboth champi-champi- iinn hitshits whilewhile rankingranking secondsecond inin battingbatting average,average, runsruns oonshipnship seasons.seasons. sscoredcored andand homehome runs.runs. ThatThat year,year, FloridaFlorida ledled thethe HisHis well-roundedwell-rounded SSoutheasternoutheastern ConferenceConference inin ninenine teamteam categoriescategories cclubslubs setset 1818 individualindividual andand aandnd setset oror tiedtied a totaltotal ofof 4141 offensiveoffensive schoolschool recordsrecords tteameam offensiveoffensive recordsrecords ((2020 team,team, 2121 individual)individual) enen routeroute toto itsits mostmost suc-suc- dduringuring hishis tenure,tenure, whilewhile ccessfulessful seasonseason sincesince 19981998 (46-19)(46-19) andand a berthberth inin hhisis pitchingpitching staffstaff setset 1010 tthehe NCAANCAA TTournament.ournament. sschoolchool marks.marks. TheThe 19981998 A Att FFloridalorida CohenCohen coachedcoached a pairpair ofof consensusconsensus tteameam postedposted thethe nation’snation’s AAll-Americans,ll-Americans, MarkMark KigerKiger andand SECSEC battingbatting champchamp fi ffth-bestth-best teamteam earnedearned runrun PPatat Osborn,Osborn, eacheach ofof whomwhom battedbatted overover .400.400 andand aaverageverage (3.82)(3.82) whilewhile thethe sscoredcored moremore thanthan 100100 runs.runs. Cohen’sCohen’s balancedbalanced UFUF 11999999 editionedition fashionedfashioned ooffenseffense alsoalso includedincluded fi veve playersplayers hittinghitting 1010 oror moremore tthehe collegecollege baseball’sbaseball’s hhomeome runs.runs. sseventh-besteventh-best fi eldingelding per-per- InIn thethe 20032003 season,season, Florida’sFlorida’s high-octanehigh-octane of-of- ccentageentage (.967).(.967). ffenseense pacedpaced thethe SECSEC inin fi veve offensiveoffensive categories.categories. NSU’sNSU’s baseballbaseball teamteam FForor thethe secondsecond straightstraight yearyear twotwo GatorsGators fi nishednished inin aalsolso excelledexcelled inin thethe class-class- tthehe toptop fi veve inin thethe leagueleague inin battingbatting averageaverage andand Bri-Bri- rroom,oom, averagingaveraging 1818 play-play- aann RoseRose becamebecame thethe thirdthird GatorGator toto earnearn All-AmericaAll-America eersrs withwith grade-pointgrade-point aver-aver- hhonorsonors underunder Cohen’sCohen’s tutelage.tutelage. BolsteredBolstered byby itsits aagesges ofof 3.03.0 oror betterbetter eacheach ttremendousremendous offense,offense, FloridaFlorida earnedearned itsits secondsecond con-con- ssemesteremester whilewhile notchingnotching ssecutiveecutive NCAANCAA regionalregional tournamenttournament berth.berth. 33.0.0 teamteam GPA’sGPA’s iinn bothboth 19981998 andand 1999.1999. OONN TOTO LEXINGTONLEXINGTON fforor thethe fi rrstst timetime inin 1616 years.years. TheThe TigersTigers brokebroke ninenine C Cohenohen alsoalso spearheadedspearheaded a highly-success-highly-success- Cohen’sCohen’s timetime awayaway fromfrom thethe headhead coachingcoaching ooffensiveffensive schoolschool recordsrecords thatthat season,season, partpart ofof 1717 ffulul fund-raisingfund-raising campaigncampaign forfor NorthwesternNorthwestern State’sState’s ccircleircle waswas brief.brief. AfterAfter twotwo record-settingrecord-setting seasonsseasons ttotalotal recordsrecords setset byby Cohen’sCohen’s offensesoffenses overover hishis sixsix bbaseballaseball facility,facility, Brown-StroudBrown-Stroud Field.Field. TheThe ballball park’spark’s aatt FloridaFlorida andand followingfollowing thethe 20032003 campaign,campaign, CohenCohen yyearsears inin Columbia.Columbia. ggrandstandrandstand seatingseating increasedincreased fromfrom 298298 toto 1,000.1,000. AllAll wwasas hiredhired asas headhead coachcoach atat thethe UUniversityniversity ofof Ken-Ken- FFollowingollowing thethe 19971997 season,season, CohenCohen headedheaded toto ooff thosethose seatsseats andand thenthen somesome werewere neededneeded onon AprilApril ttuckyucky. NNatchitoches,atchitoches, La.,La., forfor hishis fi rstrst headhead coachingcoaching assign-assign- 118,8, 20012001 whenwhen a school-recordschool-record 4,2144,214 fansfans watchedwatched InIn fi veve seasonsseasons asas thethe Wildcats’Wildcats’ taskmaster,taskmaster, mment,ent, a four-yearfour-year termterm atat NorthwesternNorthwestern State.State. hishis CCohen’sohen’s DemonsDemons knockknock offoff defending-nationaldefending-national CCohenohen guidedguided KentuckyKentucky toto unprecedentedunprecedented successsuccess ttwowo ppredecessorsredecessors atat NorthwesternNorthwestern StateState nownow alsoalso cchampionhampion LSU.LSU. oonn thethe diamond,diamond, elevatingelevating UKUK toto nationalnational promi-promi- sserveerve asas headhead coachescoaches inin thethe SoutheasternSoutheastern Confer-Confer- CohenCohen establishedestablished himselfhimself asas oneone ofof thethe na-na- nnence.ence. eencence ------Arkansas’Arkansas’ DDaveave VanVan HornHorn aandnd Alabama’sAlabama’s ttion’sion’s bestbest hittinghitting coachescoaches duringduring a successfulsuccessful two-two- H Hisis teamsteams postedposted a 1175-113-175-113-1 (.607)(.607) markmark JJimim WellsWells. yyearear stintstint atat thethe UniversityUniversity ofof FloridaFlorida asas anan assistantassistant ooverver thethe span,span, claimingclaiming muchmuch attentionattention asas CohenCohen UnderUnder CCohen,ohen, thethe DemonsDemons compiledcompiled a 146-84146-84 ccoachoach onon thethe staffstaff ofof PPatat MMcMahoncMahon. InIn Gainesville,Gainesville, ddevelopedeveloped KentuckyKentucky intointo a majormajor playerplayer onon thethe na-na- ((.635).635) markmark andand claimedclaimed a pairpair ofof SouthlandSouthland Confer-Confer- hhisis GatorGator offensesoffenses pulverizedpulverized opposingopposing pitchingpitching andand ttionalional scene.scene. eencence titlestitles (1998(1998 andand 2001).2001). HeHe waswas namednamed thethe lleded thethe SECSEC inin nearlynearly everyevery statisticalstatistical category.category. AfterAfter a 24-3024-30 fi nishnish inin hishis fi rstrst seasonseason atat UKUK

JJohnohn CohenCohen pplayedlayed onon threethree MMSUSU tteamseams tthathat aadvanceddvanced toto NNCAACAA ppostseasonostseason pplay,lay, iinclud-nclud- iingng tthehe 11990990 editionedition thatthat toppedtopped FFloridalorida SStatetate ttoo aadvancedvance toto thethe NNCAACAA CCollegeollege WWorldorld SSeries.eries.

1122 TTHEHE CCOACHINGOACHING SSTAFFTAFF

((2004),2004), CohenCohen directeddirected thethe ‘05‘05 WildcatsWildcats toto a 29-29- ddoubles,oubles, RBI,RBI, sacrisacrifi cece bunts,bunts, sacrisacrifi cece fl iesies andand 2277 fi nnish,ish, thethe secondsecond winningwinning campaigncampaign inin ninenine iinningsnnings pitched.pitched. sseasonseasons forfor Kentucky.Kentucky. ButBut thatthat paledpaled inin compari-compari- W Whilehile hishis team’steam’s havehave beenbeen notednoted forfor theirtheir ssonon toto whatwhat followedfollowed thethe nextnext threethree seasons.seasons. ooffensiveffensive prowess,prowess, Cohen-coachedCohen-coached clubsclubs alsoalso Cohen’sCohen’s 20062006 WildcatWildcat edition,edition, sparkedsparked byby eexcelxcel inin thethe otherother facetsfacets ofof thethe sport.sport. LastLast year’syear’s SSECEC PPlayerlayer ofof thethe YearYear RyanRyan Strieby,Strieby, turnedturned KKentuckyentucky teamteam ledled thethe SECSEC andand rankedranked seventhseventh mmanyany headsheads whenwhen itit rolledrolled toto a 44-1744-17 mark,mark, thethe nnationallyationally withwith a 3.713.71 earnedearned runrun average.average. AndAnd sschool’school’s fi rstrst SoutheasternSoutheastern ConferenceConference baseballbaseball UUK’sK’s school-recordschool-record .974.974 fi eldingelding percentagepercentage waswas cchampionship,hampionship, andand registeredregistered thethe initialinitial worst-worst- tthehe second-bestsecond-best inin thethe SEC,SEC, rankingranking 14th14th nation-nation- tto-o-fi rstrst one-seasonone-season turnaroundturnaround inin SECSEC baseballbaseball aally.lly. hhistory.istory. TThathat seasonseason andand thethe twotwo thatthat followedfollowed I Increasedncreased attendance,attendance, enhancedenhanced facilitiesfacilities ssawaw Cohen’sCohen’s ‘Cats‘Cats viruallyvirually rewriterewrite thethe schoolschool aandnd additionaladditional nationalnational recognitionrecognition werewere by-prod-by-prod- rrecordecord book.book. HeHe earnedearned nnationalational coachcoach ofof thethe uuctscts ofof thethe CohenCohen eraera atat Kentucky.Kentucky. yyearear plauditsplaudits (CCollegeollege BaseballBaseball FoundationFoundation andand A sschool-recordchool-record sixsix UKUK playersplayers selectedselected inin CCollegeBaseballinsider.com)ollegeBaseballinsider.com) iinn 2006,2006, a seasonseason JJohnohn CohenCohen playedplayed inin thethe MinnesotaMinnesota TwinsTwins organizationorganization (1990-(1990- tthehe MajorMajor LeagueLeague Baseball’sBaseball’s 20062006 draft,draft, fi veve werewere wwhichhich alsoalso sawsaw KentuckyKentucky hosthost itsits initialinitial NCAANCAA 991)1) andand laterlater servedserved asas anan assistantassistant coachcoach onon thethe 20052005 USAUSA sselectedelected inin 20072007 andand fourfour more,more, allall inin thethe toptop 1010 NNationalational baseballbaseball team.team. rregionalegional tournament.tournament. rrounds,ounds, werewere chosenchosen inin 2008.2008. H Honoredonored asas thethe 22006006 SECSEC CCoachoach ofof thethe YearYear, CCohenohen directeddirected thethe South-South- A Att UUKK CCohenohen aalsolso fi rmlyrmly establishedestablished himselfhimself hashas oneone ofof thethe bestbest recruitersrecruiters eeasternastern Conference’sConference’s bestbest offensiveoffensive clubclub thatthat season,season, pilingpiling upup a school-recordschool-record iinn thethe game.game. HisHis initialinitial UKUK recruitingrecruiting classclass waswas ratedrated asas oneone ofof thethe toptop 2525 byby 550000 runs.runs. HisHis 20072007 clubclub hithit forfor a stellarstellar .320.320 average,average, justjust oneone pointpoint shyshy ofof thethe CCollegiateollegiate BaseballBaseball inin 2004,2004, andand hishis fi nalnal WildcatsWildcats recruitingrecruiting classclass waswas rankedranked UUKK sschoolchool record.record. ThatThat teamteam ledled thethe SECSEC inin eighteight offensiveoffensive categoriescategories andand ffourth-bestourth-best nationallynationally byby BaseballBaseball America.America. rrankedanked thirdthird nationallynationally inin homehome runs,runs, sluggingslugging percentage.percentage. T Thehe CohenCohen impactimpact onon thethe KentuckyKentucky baseballbaseball programprogram waswas alsoalso feltfelt inin thethe TheThe record-breakingrecord-breaking paradeparade continuedcontinued inin 2008.2008. UKUK racedraced toto a 19-019-0 start,start, cclassroom,lassroom, wherewhere inin fi veve yearsyears 5656 WildcatWildcat baseballbaseball playersplayers earnedearned academicacademic a toptop fi veve nationalnational ranking,ranking, andand matchedmatched itsits school-bestschool-best winwin totaltotal withwith a 44-1944-19 aall-conferencell-conference honors.honors. InIn hishis fi rstrst year,year, a then-schoolthen-school recordrecord ninenine WildcatsWildcats werewere fi nish.nish. UKUK advancedadvanced toto anan NCAANCAA regionalregional tournamenttournament berth,berth, thethe secondsecond underunder nnamedamed toto thethe 20042004 SECSEC AcademicAcademic HonorHonor Roll.Roll. ThatThat numbernumber climbedclimbed yearlyyearly toto CCohenohen andand thethe school’sschool’s fourthfourth overall.overall. AlongAlong thethe wayway inin 20082008 UKUK rackedracked upup a school-bestschool-best 1717 inin 2008,2008, second-mostsecond-most inin thethe SoutheasternSoutheastern ConferenceConference behindbehind sschoolchool recordsrecords forfor highesthighest fi eldingelding percentage,percentage, putouts,putouts, atat bats,bats, runsruns scored,scored, MMississippiississippi State.State.

JOHN COHEN VS. ALL OPPONENTS (1998-2001, 2004-08) Opponent at NSU at UK at MSU Career Opponent at NSU at UK at MSU Career Opponent at NSU at UK at MSU Career Air Force --- 1-0 --- 1-0 Iowa State 0-1 ------0-1 Oral Roberts 0-2 ------0-2 Alabama 0-2 5-6 --- 5-8 Illinois State --- 1-0 --- 1-0 Prairie View 1-0 ------1-0 Appalachian State --- 1-0 --- 1-0 Indiana --- 1-0 --- 1-0 Purdue --- 3-0 --- 3-0 Arizona --- 0-1 --- 0-1 Jackson State 1-0 ------1-0 Rhode Island --- 1-1 --- 1-1 Arkansas 1-0 4-8 --- 5-8 Kent State --- 1-0 --- 1-0 Rice 1-2 ------1-2 Arkansas State 1-0 0-1 --- 1-1 Lamar 10-4 1-0 --- 11-4 Saint Louis 2-0 ------2-0 Arkansas-Little Rock 4-4 ------4-4 Louisiana College 5-1 ------5-1 Sam Houston State 13-2 ------13-2 Army --- 2-0 --- 2-0 Louisiana State 2-3 6-8-1 --- 6-8-1 Samford 0-1 ------0-1 Auburn --- 5-7 --- 5-7 Louisiana Tech 6-5 ------6-5 South Alabama --- 1-0 --- 1-0 Ball State --- 1-1 --- 1-1 Louisiana-Lafayette 1-3 1-3 --- 1-3 South Carolina --- 7-9 --- 7-9 Baylor 0-2 ------0-2 Louisiana-Monroe 8-7 8-7 --- 8-7 Southeastern Louisiana 8-5 ------8-5 Belmont --- 1-0 --- 1-0 Louisville --- 7-3 --- 7-3 Southern Illinois 1-0 ------1-0 Buffalo --- 3-0 --- 3-0 LSU-Shreveport 6-0 ------6-0 Southern Mississippi 0-2 ------0-2 Butler --- 4-0 --- 4-0 Marshall --- 3-1 --- 3-1 Southern University 0-1 ------0-1 Canisius --- 2-0 --- 2-0 McNeese State 12-6 ------12-6 Southwest Missouri St. 1-1 ------1-1 Centenary 10-2 ------10-2 Memphis --- 1-0 --- 1-0 Southwest Texas State 8-8 ------8-8 Charleston-Southern 0-0 0-1 --- 0-1 Miami (OH) --- 0-1 --- 0-1 Tennessee --- 7-8 --- 7-8 Cincinnati --- 3-2 --- 3-2 Michigan --- 2-1 --- 2-1 Tennessee Tech --- 4-0 --- 4-0 Cleveland State --- 3-0 --- 3-0 Michigan State --- 1-0 --- 1-0 Tennessee-Martin --- 3-0 --- 3-0 College of Charleston --- 0-1 --- 0-1 Middle Tennessee St. 1-0 ------1-0 Texas Southern 9-0 ------9-0 Cumberland (Ky.) --- 1-0 --- 1-0 Mississippi State --- 8-7 --- 8-7 Texas-Arlington 8-5 ------8-5 Dayton --- 0-1 --- 0-1 Mississippi Valley St. 1-0 ------1-0 Texas-San Antonio 7-5 1-0 --- 8-5 East Tennessee State --- 0-1 --- 0-1 Missouri 0-1 ------0-1 Texas A&M-CC 2-0 ------2-0 East Texas Baptist 1-0 ------1-0 Morehead State --- 3-2 --- 3-2 Toledo --- 3-0 --- 3-0 Eastern Kentucky --- 3-3 --- 3-2 Murray State --- 6-0 --- 6-0 Tusculum --- 1-0 --- 1-0 Eastern Michigan --- 3-0 --- 3-0 Nebraska 1-1 ------1-1 UAB ------1st meeting 0-0 Evansville --- 3-1 --- 3-1 New Orleans 1-0 ------1-0 UCLA 1-0 ------1-0 Fairfi eld --- 1-0 --- 1-0 Nicholls University 8-7 ------8-7 Valparaiso University ------1st meeting 0-0 Florida --- 5-10 --- 5-10 North Dakota State --- 3-0 --- 3-0 Vanderbilt --- 6-9 --- 6-9 Furman --- 3-0 --- 3-0 North Florida ------1st meeting 0-0 Wake Forest 0-1 ------0-1 George Mason --- 1-0 --- 1-0 Northern Illinois --- 1-0 --- 1-0 Western Kentucky --- 5-1 --- 5-1 Georgetown College --- 2-0 --- 2-0 Northern Kentucky --- 1-0 --- 1-0 Wisconsin-Milwaukee --- 3-0 --- 3-0 Georgia --- 3-12 --- 3-12 Northwestern --- 3-0 --- 3-0 Wright State --- 3-1 --- 3-1 Grambling State 2-0 ------2-0 Notre Dame --- 1-0 --- 1-0 Xavier -- 4-0 --- 4-0 Hawaii ------1st meeting 0-0 Oakland --- 3-0 --- 3-0 Youngstown State --- 1-0 --- 1-0 Henderson State 2-0 ------2-0 Ole Miss --- 7-3 --- 7-3 Totals 146-84 175-113-1 321-197-1

1133 TTHEHE CCOACHINGOACHING SSTAFFTAFF • Assistant coach (Mississippi College, 1995) Native Mississippian Lane Burroughs Burroughs launched his coaching career is in his fi rst season on John Cohen’s Missis- as a graduate assistant coach at his alma sippi State University baseball staff. mater, Mississippi College, serving there Burroughs joined the MSU staff in one season before assuming a post as an June 2008 after having served as an assis- assistant coach under Bill Baldner at East tant coach for the Kansas State Wildcats in Mississippi Community College in Scoo- 2008. ba, Miss., in 1997. The Meridian, Miss., native is in his 14th He began his coaching association with season as a baseball coach and is well- John Cohen a year later as an assistant schooled in Magnolia State baseball. He coach at Northwestern (La.) State, helping played the sport on the high school, junior direct the Demons to a 40-20 mark and the college and senior college level in Missis- 1998 Southland Conference Championship. sippi, and all but three of his fi rst 13 years Following the 2007 campaign, Bur- in the coaching profession have come in the roughs moved from Conference USA to the state of Mississippi, including a highly-suc- , accepting an assistant The BURROUGHS file cessful nine-year stint as an assistant coach coaching position on the staff of Brad Hill PERSONAL BACKGROUND Birth date: December 23, 1972 at Southern Miss. at Kansas State University. That season the Birth place: Meridian, Miss. This is Burrough’s second coaching Wildcats advanced to the fi nals of the Big Wife: Susan (Parker) of Meridian, Miss. assignment under John Cohen. He was a 12 Conference tournament championship Daughters: Parker Grace (7) and Camryn Laine (5) member of Cohen’s coaching team at North- game. Son: Thomas Jackson (1) western (La.) State in 1997 and 1998. Burroughs played high school baseball At USM Bur- at West Lauderdale EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND High School: West Lauderdale (Miss.) High School, 1991 roughs served as High School in Col- Junior College: Meridian (Miss.) Community College, 1993 recruiting coordina- linsville, Miss., where Undergraduate: Mississippi College, 1995 (history) tor, infi eld coach, and he was coached by Graduate: Mississippi College, 1996 (social science) handled in-game du- Jerry Boatner, one of ties as USM’s coach the all-time winningest PLAYING CAREER in the third base coaches in Mississippi 1988-91: West Lauderdale (Miss.) High School coaching box. He high school history, 1992-93: Meridian (Miss.) Community College 1994-95: Mississippi College excelled in each, but and was a teammate gained much acclaim of Mississippi State PLAYING HONORS in his role as hitting All-American and Ma- 1993: Larry Scott Memorial Award (Meridian CC) coach and in the de- jor League pitching 1993: Played in NJCAA World Series (Meridian CC) velopment of South- standout Jay Powell. 1995: All-Gulf South Conference (Mississippi College) ern Miss’ hitters. He continued 1995: Team Most Valuable Player (Mississippi College) He coached seven his baseball career at COACHING BACKGROUND all-Americans, nine Meridian Communi- 1996: Mississippi College (graduate assistant coach) freshman all-Ameri- ty College playing for 1997: East Mississippi CC (assistant coach) cans, 10 position coach , 1997-98: Northwestern State (assistant coach) players that went on where MCC claimed 1999-2007: Southern Miss (assistant coach) to sign professional MJCAA state titles in 2008: Kansas State University (assistant coach) baseball contracts, both 1992 and 1993. 2009 — : Mississippi State University (assistant coach) fi ve of those as top Burroughs continued 10 round selections his baseball career in the Major League playing for coach Tom baseball draft. Gladney at Missis- During his nine- sippi College the year coaching term in Hattiesburg, Southern next two seasons and was honored as an Miss made its fi rst six NCAA postseason All-Gulf South Conference outfi elder and the regional tournament appearances. Among team MVP in 1995, his fi nal campaign with the Burroughs-coached Golden Eagles that the Choctaws. earned all-American status was Jarrett Hoff- Burroughs is married to the former pauir, who reigned as the toughest player to Susan Parker of Meridian, Miss., and they strike out in 2004. That record-setting sea- are the parents of three children, daughters son saw USM establish school marks for hits, Parker Grace, 7, and Camryn Laine,5, and runs scored and RBI. son Thomas Jackson ,1.

TThehe BBurroughsurroughs ------CCamryn,amryn, Lane,Lane, Susan,Susan, JJacksonackson andand PParkerarker GraceGrace

1144 TTHEHE CCOACHINGOACHING SSTAFFTAFF Butch Thompson • Assistant coach (Birmingham-Sou., 1992) Butch Thompson, a native of Amory, While at JSCC he was honored as the Re- Miss., is in his fi rst season on coach John gional Tournament Coach of the Year, the Cohen’s Mississippi State baseball coaching ABCA Alabama Junior College Coach of the staff. Year and the Southeast Region Coach of the Thompson, in his eighth season of Year after guiding JSCC to a 39-21 mark, the coaching in the Southeastern Conference, AJCAA Region 22 State Championship and coaches Mississippi State pitchers and works a third-place fi nish in the NJCAA Division II closely with recruiting. He joined the MSU World Series. coaching staff last June after having coached He returned to Birmingham-Southern the previous three seasons at Auburn. as Shoop’s top assistant the following sea- The 16-year coaching veteran, regard- son, beginning a four-year run during the ed as one of the nation’s top pitching instruc- most successful span in BSC baseball his- tors, has a strong familiarity with baseball in tory. The Panthers won 196 games and four the state of Mississippi. TranSouth Conference championships and The THOMPSON file Thompson made three consecu- PERSONAL BACKGROUND prepped at Amory tive appearances in Birth date: December 15, 1970 (Miss.) High School, the NAIA World Series. Birth place: Aberdeen, Miss. where he was a two- BSC’s 2001 team post- Wife: Susan (Ashe) of Birmingham, Ala. sport standout as a ed a school-best 55-11 Daughters: Anna (10), Olivia (8) and Madelyn Gail (4) defensive end play- mark and captured the EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND ing for football coach NAIA National Champi- High School: Amory (Miss.) High School, 1988 Bobby Hall and as onship. Junior College: Itawamba (Miss.) Community College, 1990 a pitching playing for In 2002 Thompson Undergraduate: Birmingham-Southern, 1992 (history) baseball coach Bill joined the Southeastern Graduate: UAB, 1996 (sports administration) Miley. He signed a Conference baseball PLAYING CAREER football scholarship coaching family, begin- 1985-87: Amory (Miss.) High School with Itawamba Com- ning a four-year term 1989-90: Itawamba (Miss.) Community College munity College in as pitching coach and 1991-92: Birmingham-Southern College Fulton, Miss., but end- recruiting coordinator ed up walking on in at the University of COACHING BACKGROUND baseball and starring Georgia under head 1993: Huntingdon (Ala.) College (assistant coach) 1994-96: Birmingham-Southern (assistant coach) as a pitcher at ICC for coach Roy Cresap in coach . Georgia’s 2003 recruit- 1997: Jefferson (Ala.) State (head coach) 1989 and 1990. He continued his baseball ca- ing class was ranked 10th nationally and 1998-2001: Birmingham-Southern (assistant coach) reer the next two seasons at NAIA power Bir- UGA’s 2004 edition captured the SEC base- 2002-05: Georgia (assistant coach) mingham-Southern, where he helped lead ball Championship, advancing to the NCAA 2006-08: Auburn (assistant coach) the Panthers, coached by former Mississippi College World Series. 2009 — : Mississippi State University (assistant coach) State assistant Brian Shoop, to back-to-back He continued his SEC affi liation at Au- Southern States Conference championships. burn following the 2005 season, serving as COACHING HONORS 1997: ABCA Alabama JC Coach of the Year , who would later serve pitching coach and recruiting coordinator on 1997: Southeast Regional JC Coach of the Year as an assistant coach at State, coached the the staff of Tom Slater. Each of his three re- 2006: Fellowship of Christian Athletes SEC Coach of the Year pitchers on Shoop’s BSC staff. cruiting classes at Auburn was ranked among It would be the fi rst of Thompson’s the nation’s top 18, including a No. 5 national three career affi liations with Shoop and the ranking in 2007. Panthers baseball program in Birmingham. In seven years as an SEC pitching After launching his coaching career as pitch- coach since 2001, Thompson has coached ing coach and top assistant to Scot Patter- 20 pitchers that have been selected in the son at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Major League Baseball draft, fi ve of them in Ala., Thompson returned to his alma mater in the 2008 June draft. Birmingham, where he as an assistant coach Thompson, honored as the 2006 Fel- he was reunited with Shoop and Schoen- lowship of Christian Athletes SEC Coach rock from 1994 to 1996. During that span of the Year, earned a bachelor’s degree in BSC won a pair of conference crowns and in history at BSC in 1992 and completed a mas- 1995 advanced to its fi rst NAIA World Series ter’s degree in sports administration at UAB berth. in 1996. He is married to the former Robin Thompson left BSC briefl y to serve Ashe of Birmingham, Ala., and they are the as head baseball coach at Jefferson State parents of three daughters --- Anna, 10, Ol- Community College in Birmingham in 1997. ivia, 8, and Madelyn Gail, 4. TThehe TThompsonshompsons ------SSusan,usan, AAnna,nna, MMadelynadelyn GGail,ail, BButchutch aandnd OOlivialivia

1155 TTHEHE CCOACHINGOACHING SSTAFFTAFF • Coordinator of Camps (Embry-Riddle, 1996) Nick Mingione, who joined the Missis- baseball for coach Scott Jones at Mariner sippi State baseball family in June 2008, is High School in Cape Coral, Fla. He contin- in his fi rst year as the coordinator of baseball ued his baseball career and was a standout camps. In addition to his duties directing Mis- outfi elder for four years at Embry-Riddle sissippi State’s popular summer and winter University in Daytona Beach, Fla., where baseball camps, Mingione serves as a volun- he played for coaches Greg and Todd teer assistant coach. Guilliams. He earned a bachelor’s degree Mingione, who served as an assistant in aerospace studies with a triple minor in coach in 2008 at West- business, psychology ern Carolina Univer- and humanities in 2000. sity in Cullowhee, N.C., Upon graduation, Min- renews a coaching af- gione served two years fi liation with State skip- as Assistant Dean of per John Cohen. Students and as an as- He served for two sistant coach on Steve The MINGIONE file seasons on Cohen’s Larsen’s staff at Mari- 2006 and 2007 base- ner High School. PERSONAL BACKGROUND ball staffs at the Univer- Mingione then moved Birth date: September 10, 1978 sity of Kentucky, where on to coach on the col- Birth place: Tarrytown, New York he worked extensively legiate level, fi rst as with the UK outfi eld- a volunteer assistant EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND High School: Cape Coral (Fla..) Mariner High School, 1996 ing corps and with the baseball coach under Wildcat hitters. During Dave Tollet at Florida Undergraduate: Embry-Riddle, 2000 (aerospace studies) that span, Kentucky Gulf Coast University PLAYING CAREER won 78 games, set or in Fort Myers, Fla., in 1993-96: Cape Coral (Fla.) Mariner High School reestablished 12 team 2002, and later at his 1997-2000: Embry-Riddle University marks, and posted a alma mater, Embry- school-best 44 wins en Riddle. The Eagles cap- PLAYING HONORS 1997: First Kenneth J. Sliwa Memorial Scholarship recipient route to winning the the tured Florida Sun Con- school’s fi rst SEC championship in 2006. ference crowns and advanced to the NAIA COACHING BACKGROUND On coach Bobby Moranda’s staff at World Series in Lewiston, Idaho, all three 2001: Mariner High School (assistant coach) Western Carolina, Mingione was recruiting seasons, earning national runnerup honors 2002: Fla. Gulf Coast University (volunteer assistant coach) coordinator and hitting coach, helping direct in 2005. 2003-05: Embry-Riddle University (assistant coach) a Catamount team that in 2008 earned top 40 During six seasons as an assistant 2006-07: University of Kentucky (volunteer assistant coach) national ranking among 286 NCAA Division coach, Mingione has helped direct teams to 2008: Western Carolina University (assistant coach) I programs in 11 different offensive catego- four conference titles, three advancements 2009 — : Mississippi State University (coordinator of camps) ries. to the NAIA World Series and one NCAA re- Mingione, a native of Tarrytown, N.Y., gional tournament berth. grew up in Florida and played high school Mingione, 29, is single.

1166 TTHEHE CCOACHINGOACHING SSTAFFTAFF Tyler Bratton • Baseball operations director (Mississippi State, 2007) In his fi rst season on the Mississippi gree in secondary education at Mississippi State University coaching staff and serving State in 2007 and is completing graduate as the director of baseball operations is West studies in sports administration at Mississippi Point, Miss., native Tyler Bratton. State University. Bratton, 25, is a 2007 graduate of Mis- He served as an assistant baseball sissippi State University. He coordinates coach at Heritage Academy in Columbus, team travel arrangements, directs the team’s Miss., in 2005 and at Oak Hill Academy in video operations and oversees a wide range 2007 before returning to MSU as a student of tasks associated with the day-to-day op- assistant coach for the Baseball Bulldogs in eration of the Mississippi State baseball pro- 2008. gram. Bratton is married to the former Bree “Tyler is a great catch for Mississippi Munger of Hartselle, Ala. State because of his love for Bulldog Base- ball,” said Cohen. “He has a passion and an The BRATTON file energy level that make him a perfect match PERSONAL BACKGROUND for our program.” Birth date: August 3, 1983 Bratton was a three-year, two-sport Birth place: Columbus, Miss. standout and played outfi eld for coach Bll Wife: Bree (Munger) of Hartselle, Ala. Miley at West Point’s Oak Hill Academy. EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND He continued his baseball career in 2003 and High School: West Point (Miss.) Oak Hill Academy, 2002 2004 at East Mississippi Community Col- Junior College: East Mississippi Community College lege, where he was coached by Bill Bald- Undergraduate: Mississippi State, 2007 (secondary education) ner. PLAYING CAREER He then matriculated to Mississippi 1999-2002: West Point (Miss.) Oak Hill Academy State University, earning a berth on the 2003-04: East Mississippi Community College Mississippi State baseball team in 2006 as 2006: Mississippi State University an outfi elder. That MSU squad ascended to a No. 1 inseason national ranking and ad- COACHING BACKGROUND 2008 — : Mississippi State University (student assistant coach) vanced to the fi nals of the 2006 NCAA Clem- 2009 — : Mississippi State University (baseball operations director) son Regional. TTyleryler andand BBreeree BrattonBratton Bratton earned an undergraduate de-

BBehindehind tthehe sscenescenes

April Edwards Diane Keith Everett Kennard Jay Logan Bart Prather Offi ce associate Offi ce associate Manager Coordinator Manager MSU Baseball Bulldog Sports Properties/ Transportation Services Event Managment. & Sports Turf Department Athletic Media Relations Facilities

Will Coggin Will Frazier Jonathan Boyd Russ Carter Baron Jones Undergraduate asst. Student Trainer Student Manager Student Manager Student Manager • Senior from Booneville, Miss. • Sophomore from Meridian, Miss. • Freshman from Pearl, Miss. • Junior from Pearl, Miss. • Junior from Meadville, Miss. • Born Nov. 28, 1985 in Booneville, Miss. • Born Nov., 29, 1988 in Meridian, Miss. • Born May 7, 1990 in Indianola, Miss • Born March 23, 1988 in Pearl, Miss. • Born March 28, 1987 in McComb, Miss. • Son of Betty Ann and Rick Coggin • Son of Susan and Tom Frazier • Son of Debra and Bruce Moore • Son of Sheila and Stan Carter • Son of Bobette and Bart Jones • Graduate of Booneville HS and • Graduate of Meridian High School • Graduate of Pearl High School • Graduate of Richland High School • Graduate of Franklin High School Northeast Mississippi CC • Majoring in clinical exercise physiology • Majoring in sports management and Copiah Lincoln C.C. and Copiah Lincoln C.C. • Majoring in physical education • Second year as student trainer • First year as student manager • Majoring in physical education • Majoring in physical education • First year as student manager • Second year as student manager

1177 22009009 BBASEBALLASEBALL SSUPPORTUPPORT SSTAFFTAFF Ray Berryhill Assistant AD/Academic Advising (Mississippi State, 1980) Administering the day-to-day academic needs of the Baseball Bulldogs is Ray Berryhill, in his 20th year overall with the Mississippi State University Athletic Department. A native of Gloster, Miss., Berryhill is in his sec- ond tour of duty in the department. A 1980 graduate of Mississippi State University, he served fi rst as a RRayay BerryhillBerryhill JJoeoe DierDier GGregreg DryeDrye JJohnohn McCallisterMcCallister AAllenllen ThompsonThompson graduate assistant coach with the MSU track program. In 1984 he was named supervisor of athletic academ- schools, and they are the parents of a son, Reed Bur- WVU, McCallister fi rst served as an undergraduate as- ics at the University of Alabama, overseeing the aca- ton, 18. sistant strength coach at the Morgantown, W.V., school demic progress of all Crimson Tide student-athletes. in 1999 and 2000. He then continued his affi liation He returned to State in a similar position as direc- with West Virginia’s strength program as a graduate tor of athletic academics in January 1989, and in Au- Greg Drye assistant until 2002 before joining the Mountaineer’s gust 2000 was promoted to assistant athletic director Assistant Strength Coach athletic staff full-time in July 2002. for academic advising. (Southern Miss, 1998) During his term at WVU he worked with a variety Greg Drye is in his fi fth season with the Bulldog Under his supervision, MSU’s student-athletes of sports teams and assisted in the strength training of Baseball program, assisting with the implementation have enjoyed unprecedented success in the class- 28 football athletes and seven baseball athletes who of State’s comprehensive in-season and offseason room, frequently establishing school records for com- continued their athletic careers on the professional strength and conditioning program. bined grade point average. Berryhill also serves State’s level. He also served on the staff of for West Virginia Prior to his arrival at MSU, Drye served as a student-athletes as M-Club advisor and through MSU’s teams that advanced to the 2000 Music City Bowl, the graduate assistant at Delta State University on the student housing offi ce supervises on-campus housing 2002 Continental Tire Bowl and the 2004 Toyota Gator baseball staff of coach Mike Kinnison. Drye coached for all student-athletes. Bowl. the outfi elders on the DSU teams that captured the An avid turkey hunter, Berryhill, 50, is a member of He served as an instructor in the physical edu- Gulf South Conference titles and advanced to the the National Wild Turkey Federation. He and his wife, cation department at West Virginia in 2000-2001 and NCAA Division II South Regional in both 1999 and the former Amy Huff of Ferriday, La., are the parents of staffed the Mountain State Speed/Strength Camp from 2000. He then returned to his roots, serving for three a son, Cody, and a daughter, Caroline. 1999 to 2003. years as an assistant baseball coach at Long Beach McCallister, certifi ed by the Collegiate Strength High School. and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCA), Joe Dier The Gulfport, Miss., native is an instructor in the earned both a bachelor’s degree (2000) and masters Asst. Media Relations Director physical education department at Mississippi State. degree in physical education (2004) at West Virginia (Mississippi State, 1975) He has also served as an administrative assistant on University. Overseeing the publicity needs of the Baseball the MSU baseball staff over the past four seasons, He is married to the former Jennifer Yon of Beck- Bulldogs is Joe Dier, in his 23rd year on the Mississippi handling a wide array of duties and assisting with ley, W.V., and they are the parents of two daughters, State staff and his 11th as the primary media relations the team’s advancement to the championship of the Emma Lynn, 2, and Ava Grace (four months) contact for MSU baseball and volleyball. 2005 SEC Tournament and to the 2007 NCAA College Dier, 55, has been affi liated with Mississippi State World Series. athletics and MSU baseball since 1978 — eight years A graduate of Long Beach (Miss.) High School, Allen Thompson as editor of Dawgs’ Bite and since 1986 as a member Drye continued his baseball career at Mississippi Assistant Athletic Trainer of the MSU Athletics Department staff. He also pre- Gulf Coast Community College, where he earned (West Alabama, 2000) viously served as the sports editor at the Yazoo City MJCAA all-state honors as an infi elder playing for Allen Thompson is in his second year as the (Miss.) Daily Herald and the Starkville (Miss.) Daily coach Cooper Farris. He later played baseball at athletic trainer for the Baseball Bulldogs. Thompson News. Baylor University, coached by . joined the Mississippi State University Athletic A 1975 graduate of Mississippi State Universi- Drye, 34, earned his undergraduate degree in Department in October 2007. ty, Dier followed the late Bob Hartley and Bo Carter coaching and sports administration from Southern A native of Butler, Ala., Thompson served five as MSU’s third full-time sports information director in Miss in 1998 and a graduate degree in physical edu- seasons as an athletic trainer in the St. Louis Cardinals November 1986, initially serving as the primary media cation, health and recreation at Delta State in 2000. He organization, his last three as the head trainer for the contact for all 15 Mississippi State sports. He served has a daughter, Dylan, 4. Palm Beach (Fla.) Cardinals in the Florida State as media coordinator for MSU-hosted NCAA regional League, where he also served as the club’s supervisor baseball tournaments in 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990 and of strength and conditioning. He was honored as the 1992 and for MSU’s 1991 Liberty Bowl football team. John McCallister Florida State League Athletic Trainer of the Year and He was named to the board of directors of the National Assistant Strength Coach selected to serve as the athletic trainer for the FSL’s Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) (West Virginia University, 2000) 2006 All-Star Game. in 2005 and in 2008-09 serves as the organization’s Overseeing the strength and conditioning pro- He also served as trainer with the Johnson City president. He is also charter member of the MSU gram for Mississippi State’s Baseball Bulldogs is John (Tenn.) Cardinals and in the organiza- Chapter of the National Football Foundation & College McCallister, in his fi fth year as assistant strength tion with the Capital City Bombers in Columbia, S.C., Football Hall of Fame. coach at MSU. In addition to baseball, McCallister also and the Kingsport Mets in Kingsport, Tenn. In 1992 he began a four-year term as editor of the assists in the strength program for Mississippi State’s Thompson began his career in athletic training weekly athletic department publication Dawgs’ Bite, re- football Bulldogs. as a student assistant trainer from 1995 to 2000 at the turning to sports information work in July 1996. He worked closely with MSU teams that ad- University of West Alabama and later was a gradu- A native of Baton Rouge, La., and the son of a ca- vanced to the 2007 NCAA College World Series and ate assistant trainer at Troy University, where he reer Air Force chaplain, Dier traveled extensively as a the 2007 Liberty Bowl. earned a graduate degree in sports fitness manage- youth, following military moves to Washington, British McCallister, 32, hails from Ona, West Virginia. He ment. Columbia, Oregon, Alabama, Florida, Okinawa, Mis- joined the MSU strength staff in January 2004 after He is married to the former Mandy Kjeldahl of sissippi and Alaska. He is married to the former Kim serving for more than fi ve years in the strength depart- Troy, Ala., and they are the parents of two children, Monroe of Starkville, a teacher in the Starkville public ment at West Virginia University. A 2000 graduate of Ally, 6 and McKenzie, 2.

1188 AATHLETICSTHLETICS DDEPARTMENTEPARTMENT SSTAFFTAFF DDIRECTORYIRECTORY

UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION BASEBALL (662) 325-3597 • FAX: 325-3600 DR. MARK E. KEENUM, President (325-3221) JOHN COHEN, Head Coach DR. STEVEN TURNER, MSU Faculty Athletics Rep. (325-2049) LANE BURROUGHS, Assistant Coach BUTCH THOMPSON, Assistant Coach THLETICS DMINISTRATION (662) 325-2532 • FAX: 325-7904 A A NICK MINGIONE, Coordinator of Baseball Camps GREG BYRNE, Director of Athletics TYLER BRATTON, Coordinator/Baseball Operations DUNCAN MCKENZIE, Senior Associate AD/Internal Operations APRIL EDWARDS, Office Associate ANN CARR, Senior Associate AD/Senior Woman Administrator STEVE CORHERN, Business Manager (325-3596) MEN’S BASKETBALL (662) 325-3800 • FAX: 325-3648 JANNA FLINT, Administrative Assistant/Athletic Director RICK STANSBURY, Head Coach CHRISTY FREEMAN, Office Associate/Administration PHIL CUNNINGHAM, Assistant Coach KATHERINE RICE, Administrative Assistant/Athletic Director ROBERT KIRBY, Assistant Coach BRENDA EDWARDS, Accounting Assistant (325-3637) MARCUS GRANT, Assistant Coach LESLIE FRANKLIN, Accounting Assistant (325-8235) TALVIS FRANKLIN, Coordinator/Men’s Basketball Operations MICHELLE GERHART, Accounting Assistant (325-2999) SUZANNE COOK, Office Associate THLETIC CADEMICS (662) 325-2066 • FAX: 325-0589 A A OMEN S ASKETBALL (662) 325-0198 • FAX: 325-9051 RAY BERRYHILL, Assistant AD/Athletics Advising W ’ B SHARON FANNING, Head Coach TYLER HILL, Athletic Academic Counselor FRANQUA BEDELL, Assistant Coach LYNDA MOORE, Athletic Academic Counselor GREG FRANKLIN, Assistant Coach VICTOR PARKER, Athletic Academic Counselor SHARRONA REAVES, Assistant Coach DANA BLOUNT, Athletic Academic Counselor JOEY BURTON, Coordinator/Women’s Basketball Operations SHELLY ELLIS, Coordinator of Study Table/Tutorial Programs DOROTHY SCOTT, Office Associate MICHELE VANDERMERGHEL, Learning Specialist ERICKA BAZZILL, Administrative Assistant FOOTBALL (662) 325-2534 • FAX: 325-8833 ATHLETICS DEVELOPMENT (662) 325-3074 • FAX: 325-2563 , Head Coach SCOTT STRICKLIN, Associate AD/External Affairs MARK HUDSPETH, Passing game coordinator (receivers) STRATON KARATASSOS, Associate AD/Development TONY HUGHES, Recruiting coordinator (safeties) NATALIE MCMILLIN, Office Associate/Athletic Development LES KOENNING, Offensive coordinator (quarterbacks) BART GREGORY, Assistant AD/Annual Giving GREG KNOX, Assistant Coach (running backs) MIKE RICHEY, Associate AD/Bulldog Club/Ticket Operations SCOTT SALLACH, Assistant Coach (tight ends) CANDACE DAILEY, Accounting Assistant/Bulldog Club (325-3074) MELVIN SMITH, Assistant Coach (cornerbacks) TAYLOR HARRIS, Account Executive, Bulldog Sports Properties DAVID TURNER, Assistant Coach (defensive line) CHAD THOMAS, Athletic Promotions Coordinator (325-9847) CARL TORBUSH, Defensive coordinator (linebackers) JIM ELLIS, Athletic Development REED STRINGER, Director of Recruiting Operations DON WILLIAMS, Director, Bulldog Sports Properties JODY WRIGHT, Coordinator of Football Operations , Director of Player Personnel/High School Relations NANCY COVINGTON, Office Associate/Head Football Coach (325-2539) ATHLETICS TICKET OFFICE (662) 325-2600 • FAX: 325-2563 JANE BALLARD, Office Associate (325-3470) JOHN KING, Ticket Manager ANGIE JABRI, Office Associate (325-8560) CHRISTINA KNOX, Assistant Ticket Manager SUSAN SIMMONS, Office Associate (325-2536) LUANNE LAIRD, Assistant Ticket Manager BRENDA LUCAS, Assistant Ticket Manager GOLF (662) 325-2722 • FAX: 325-9051 SUSAN HOLDER, Ticket Representative CLAY HOMAN, Head Men's Coach KRISTIN HOLLIS, Ticket Representative CHRISTI SANDERS, Head Women's Coach SHIRLEY SKINNER, Ticket Representative SOCCER (662) 325-0718 FAX: 325-9051 ATHLETICS TRAINING (662) 325-2165 • FAX: 325-5145 NEIL MACDONALD, Head Coach (325-0718) PAUL MOCK, Head Athletics Trainer (325-2165) ANDY MANNERS, Assistant Coach (325-9190) MARY MCLENDON, Associate Athletics Trainer (325-0657) SARAH STRICKLAND, Assistant Coach (325-0204) JUSTIN GREMILLION, Assistant Athletics Trainer (325-2869) SCOTT JOHNSON, Assistant Athletics Trainer (325-4108) SOFTBALL (662) 325-0573 FAX: 325-9051 JIMMY STRICKLAND, Assistant Athletics Trainer (325-0648) JAY MILLER, Head Coach (325-0573) ALLEN THOMPSON, Assistant Athletics Trainer (325-2442) ANNIE SMITH, Associate Head Coach (325-0572) KATIE ZUKIN, Assistant Athletics Trainer (325-3215) BO REID, Assistant Coach (325-0571) TAMMY CUMMINGS, Athlete Insurance Coordinator (325-2165) MICHELLE SCRIVENER, Office Associate [also tennis & track] (325-0560) STUDENT SERVICES/COMPLIANCE FAX: 325-7904 TENNIS (662) 325-2896 FAX: 325-9051 DR. DAVID C. BOLES, Associate AD/Student Services (325-3541) PER NILSSON, Head Men’s Tennis Coach (325-8506) BRACKY BRETT, Associate AD/Compliance (325-0245) MATT HILL, Assistant Men’s Coach (325-0801) STEVE SMITH, Assistant Coordinator of Compliance (325-8731) TRACY LANE, Head Women’s Tennis Coach (325-3510) DEBBIE DEARMON, Office Associate (325-5891) MAX FOMINE, Assistant Women’s Coach (325-9163) FAX: 325-7904 SPORTS VIDEO/BROADCAST SERVICES RACK IELD (662) 325-2892 FAX: 325-9051 , Coordinator of Sports Television (325-1332) T & F BENNIE ASHFORD AL SCHMIDT, Head Coach (325-2892) , Coordinator of Filming/Computing Services (325-7846) BROCK DULANEY STEVE DUDLEY, Associate Head Coach (325-8333) STRENGTH/ATHLETICS EQUIPMENT FAX: 325-5145 BRYAN FETZER, Assistant Coach (325-2892) MATT BALIS, Head Strength Coach (325-8627) HOUSTON FRANKS, Assistant Coach (325-7042) RICHARD AKINS, Assistant Strength Coach (325-5750) APRIL THOMAS, Assistant Coach (325-2892) JOHN MCCALLISTER, Assistant Strength Coach (325-4007) ERIC KOREM, Assistant Strength Coach (325-8582) VOLLEYBALL (662) 325-2722 • FAX: 325-9051 PHIL SILVA, Athletic Equipment Manager (325-3206) JENNY HAZELWOOD, Head Coach LINDI BANKOWSKI, Assistant Coach EVENT & FACILITIES MANAGEMENT FAX: 325-7904 MIDGE DAVIS, Office Associate [also soccer & golf] , Assoc. AD/Event Mgmt. & Facilities (325-7452) BOBBY TOMLINSON URF ANAGEMENT (662) 325-2499 , Coordinator Event Mgmt. & Facilities (325-0958) T M BRENT FREY BART PRATHER, Sports Turf Manager , Coordinator Event Mgmt.& Facilities (325-0958) JAY LOGAN BRANDON HARDIN, Assistant Sports Turf Manager JASON ROLLINS, Assistant Coordinator for Facilities (325-0958) SHAUN TAYLOR, Assistant Coordinator for Facilities (325-0958) DUFFY NEUBAUER, Coliseum Operations Manager (325-4201) MEDIA RELATIONS BRENDA NEUBAUER, Coliseum Coordinator of Services (325-4201) Complete athletic media relations staff listing on page 3 GAIL LANGSTON, Office Associate (325-4201)

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Betsy Acklen Susannah Barkley Lindsey Brown Lauren Cobb Anna Crain 1st year • Freshman 1st year • Freshman 2nd year • Junior 3rd year • Senior 3rd year • Senior Brandon, Miss. Jackson, Miss. McComb, Miss. Starkville, Miss. Byram, Miss.

Kelsie Fennell Lindsay Goodson Meagan Holaday Carmen McCool Bailey McCreary 2nd year • Junior 3rd year • Senior 2nd year • Junior 1st year • Sophomore 1st year • Freshman Haley Haynes Phillipp, Miss. Tupelo, Miss. Madison, Miss. Brandon, Miss. Kosciusko, Miss. Co-captain 3rd year • Junior Starkville, Miss.

Lillie McDow Stevie McKinnis Blakeney McRaney Hannah Moore Anne Elise Parks 2nd year • Junior 1st year • Freshman 2nd year • Sophomore 1st year • Sophomore 2nd year • Sophomore Covington, Tenn. Watertown, Tenn. Winter Garden, Fla. Millbrook, Miss. New Albany, Miss.

Mary Jo Williams Co-captain 3rd year • Junior Pontotoc, Miss.

Jessica Reed Elyse Rieder Avery Robinson Haley Smith Holly Thurmond 2nd year • Sophomore 2nd year • Senior 2nd year • Sophomore 2nd year • Junior 3rd year • Senior Brandon, Miss. Hattiesburg, Miss. Ridgeland, Miss. Starkville, Miss. Ripley, Miss.

The Mississippi State University Diamond Girls This year the Diamond Girls celebrate their 35th season as one of the primary support organizations for Mississippi State Baseball. First organized in 1976, the Diamond Girls handle a wide array of tasks in support of the Mississippi State baseball operation throughout the school year. They are most visible on game days at Dudy Noble Field, serving as hosts and distribut- ing programs to fans as they enter the stadium, operating the stadium’s souvenir and gift stand, and serving on the fi eld during games as bat handlers. There are six newcomers among this year’s 22-member squad.

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