Former professional pitcher Blake Cooper was named The Citadel's pitching coach on July 12, 2017.
Cooper authored a stellar career on the mound for the University of South Carolina before being selected in the 12th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks. In his senior season he helped lead the Gamecocks to their first baseball national championship. He returned to Columbia to start his coaching career as a student assistant in 2016, assisting with pitchers and serving as first base coach for two seasons.
During his two seasons on the coaching staff at South Carolina, Cooper helped the Gamecocks earn 81 victories. In 2016, South Carolina won 46 games, including the Columbia Regional, and advanced to host a Super Regional.
Cooper saved his best collegiate season for last, earning third-team All-America and first-team All-SEC honors on the national championship squad. He finished the season 13-2 with a 2.76 earned-run average and 126 strikeouts in 137.0 innings pitched. His final start was an eight-inning gem allowing one run in a 7-1 victory over UCLA in the championship series at the College World Series. In his two starts in Omaha that season, Cooper pitched 13.2 innings, struck out 16 and allowed only three walks. He also was named to the NCAA Columbia Regional All-Tournament Team for his performance in the opening round of the postseason.
As a junior, he was named to the NCAA Greenville Regional All-Tournament Team after earning a complete-game victory over host East Carolina, allowing only two runs with six strikeouts in the 12-2 win. His sophomore season culminated in his first all-region team, earning the recognition in the NCAA Raleigh Regional after pitching 8.1 innings with one earned run and a then-career-high nine strikeouts in his start. As a freshman he appeared in 17 games with 11 starts and compiled a 7-2 record, earning a spot on the Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-America Team.
Cooper climbed as high as AAA in the Diamondbacks’ organization before being traded to the Cubs’ organization in 2014. Throughout his six-year professional career, Cooper appeared in 250 games and recorded 297 strikeouts in 315.1 innings pitched. He retired following the 2015 season with 23 career victories and a 3.05 career ERA.
Cooper earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from South Carolina in 2017.
What They’re Saying About Coach Cooper
“I’m delighted that Coach Skole has selected Blake Cooper as his pitching coach at The Citadel. He brings a wealth of knowledge as a former pitcher and national champion at the University of South Carolina, as well as professional experience from his days in the minor leagues. Blake was the backbone and ace of our pitching staff that propelled us to a national championship and his competitive nature fueled the entire team throughout that season. He understands what it takes to be successful on and off the field and will truly be an asset to the Bulldogs.”
Ray Tanner, University of South Carolina Athletic Director/Former Head Baseball Coach
“Blake Cooper will be an outstanding addition to The Citadel baseball staff. He possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience that will translate into great leadership of the Bulldogs’ pitching staff. He made a tremendous impact as a player and a coach during his time here at USC.”
Jerry Meyers, University of South Carolina Associate Head Baseball Coach/Pitching Coach
"I am so happy for The Citadel and Blake Cooper. Blake was one of the hardest-working, most savvy pitchers that I've ever coached. He was a self-made player and probably the best big-game pitcher I've ever seen. He will be a star at The Citadel. He has great knowledge of the college and professional game and a burning desire to be a great coach. Blake will have a great rapport with his pitchers and they will be prepared and ultra-competitive. Blake has the demeanor of a champion and his players will feed off of that. I've always had the utmost respect for The Citadel, but now I can say I'm also a fan."
Mark Calvi, University of South Alabama Head Baseball Coach
