Former College World Series standout and minor league pitcher Blake Cooper enters his second season as the pitching coach at The Citadel.
Cooper came to the Lowcountry after spending one season as a student assistant at his alma mater, South Carolina, where he assisted with the pitchers and coached first base.
In his first season with the Bulldogs, Cooper was tasked with working with a pitching staff that was replacing the Southern Conference Pitcher of the Year in JP Sears.
Under Cooper’s tutelage, the Bulldogs saw marked improvement from several pitchers. Each pitcher improved their ERA by over two runs, and in most cases, doubled their win totals from the season before.
As a player for the Gamecocks, Cooper authored a stellar career that saw him earn All-America honors and being selected in the 12th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Cooper finished his career by going 34-14 in 62 starts, logging 377.0 innings. He ended his career ranked second on USC’s all-time list in starts and innings pitched, while ranking fourth in victories.
In his senior season, Cooper went 13-2 with a 2.76 ERA. He struck out 126 over 137 innings pitched. He went on to be selected as a Louisville Sluuger All-American and All-SEC First Team.
In the final start of his collegiate career, Cooper pitched into the ninth inning against UCLA in a 7-1 victory in the championship series of College World Series. His three starts in Omaha consisted of 21 strikeouts and only four walks over 18.2 innings. He was also named to the NCAA Columbia Regional All-Tournament team.
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.
As a professional, Cooper climbed as high as AAA in the Diamondbacks’ organization before being traded to the Cubs’ organization in 2014. Throughout his six-year career, Cooper appeared in 250 games and recorded 297 strikeouts in 315.1 innings pitched. He ended his career with 3.05 career ERA and 23 victories.
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
