AUGUSTA, Ga. – Georgia Regents University Augusta Director of Athletics Clint Bryant announced Wednesday afternoon the reassignment of head baseball coach Chris Cooper.
A two-time graduate of Augusta State in 2005 and 2007, Cooper spent the past 13 seasons as a member of the Jaguar Baseball program as a player, student assistant coach and graduate assistant coach before taking over the program in July, 2009.
As head coach, Cooper guided the Jaguars to a 64-126 overall record from 2010-2013. At the 2011 Peach Belt Conference Tournament, the Jags made a run all the way to the PBC Tournament title game. ASU posted a 4-2 mark in Columbus, Ga., before falling 2-1 to 10th-ranked UNC Pembroke in the championship contest at Golden Park.
An All-PBC and All-South Atlantic Region selection as a first baseman in 2002, Cooper is regarded as one of the top power hitters in program history. He was a two-year letterwinner for ASU after spending the first two years of his collegiate career at Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville, Fla.
Cooper will assume the newly-created position of head strength and conditioning coach for the entire Jaguar Athletics program. Cooper previously held a similar role from 2006-07 while working toward his Master's Degree in Arts & Teaching.
Bryant indicated a national search for Cooper's successor would begin immediately.
"I want to thank Coach Cooper for his efforts and dedication to our baseball program, not just over the last four seasons in leading our program, but for all his contributions," Bryant said. "This was a difficult decision and one I didn't take lightly. This change isn't about Coach Cooper or about wins and losses -- we have to change the culture of the Augusta State Baseball program and it starts right here and right now."
"The head strength and conditioning coach is a position that was already planned for the next academic year," said Bryant. "This is a role Coach Cooper has held in the past and he did an excellent job in leading this area. We look to expand our commitment to our student-athlete's overall well-being. Our future plans call for this type of emphasis as we grow."