| Chris Bertrand is the third
head coach for Texas-Tyler. UT-Tyler athletics photo |
Chris Bertrand, who most recently served as pitching coach and recruiting coordinator for Louisiana State-Shreveport, has been named the head baseball coach at Texas-Tyler, Howard Patterson, vice president for government relations and intercollegiate athletics, has announced.
“UT Tyler is extremely excited to have Chris join us as
head baseball coach,” Patterson said. “Out of a pool of
extremely qualified candidates, Chris stood out for his recruiting
ability, professionalism, commitment to the academic success of our
student-athletes, and his overall fit with the UT Tyler
community.”
Since taking over as recruiting coordinator in 2006, LSUS has a
combined record of 224-75 including two regular season conference
titles and five GCAC tournament championships. LSUS earned a spot
in the NAIA National Tournament ever year, and advanced to the
World Series in 2011. Under Bertrand's leadership, the LSUS
pitching staff has seen improved success, consistently at the top
of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference in wins and ERA. Six LSUS
pitchers have signed professional baseball contracts under
Bertrand's watch.
During his seven years at LSUS, Bertrand's responsibilities
include working with pitchers, recruiting, scouting reports and
game planning, coordinating the Pilots baseball camps and fall
league, as well as administrative and fundraising duties.
Bertrand has also coached in the Texas Collegiate League, serving
as pitching coach for the Alexandria Aces.
“I am honored and humbled by this opportunity,”
Bertrand said. “I want to thank Dr. Patterson for his
trust in me to lead our Patriots. I am thrilled to have been
blessed with this amazing program, and I am excited to get to work
to continue the winning tradition of Patriot Baseball and to
serving UT Tyler and the community of Tyler.”
He completed his collegiate playing career in 2005 with fellow
American Southwest Conference member Louisiana College where he
earned first team All-Conference honors and was voted team captain.
Prior to LC, Bertrand played at Bossier Parish Community College
from 2001 to 2003, under current Kansas State pitching coach Sean
McCann. Bertrand was selected to the Region XIV Academic
All-Conference Team while at BPCC.
Bertrand continued, “I want to thank (UT Tyler assistant
coach) Chad Sherman for doing an amazing job of overseeing the
program over the past 5-6 weeks. Our success will be in large part
because of his efforts and dedication, and I look forward to
working with him in the coming years.”
He added, “We are going to work hard, we are going to work
smart, we are going to do things the right way, and we are going to
be great ambassadors for this university and for this community. I
look forward to getting to know everyone, and I can't wait to see
everyone at Irwin Field!"
Bertrand graduated with a degree in management and marketing from
LC in 2005, and he earned his MBA from LSUS in 2007. Bertrand and
his wife Lori have one daughter.
Bertrand becomes the third head coach of the UT Tyler baseball
program, taking over for Paul Wyczawski who resigned in June.
Since the program began in 2004 under James Vilade, the Patriots
have amassed a 296-85 overall record, including seven ASC East
Division championships and three appearances in the NCAA
Championships.