Oberlin, Ohio - Oberlin College Associate Vice President for Athletics Advancement and Delta Lodge Director of Athletics & Physical Education Natalie Winkelfoos announced the appointment of Johnathan Ray as head baseball coach.
Ray spent 2022 as acting head coach of the Yeomen during a time of transition while playing a full season of competition for the first time since 2019.
"Being an internal candidate is never easy, yet the support for Coach Ray from his colleagues was overwhelming," Winkelfoos said. We are confident he will move the program forward while being respectful of its past. Coach Ray is an asset to the entire Oberlin community."
Ray has been on staff since January of 2021, coaching with the Yeomen last year during their 10-game season. Prior to his arrival, he spent seven seasons as the lead assistant coach at Capital University in Bexley, Ohio.
"I want to thank Natalie Winkelfoos, Creg Jantz, and all those involved in the hiring process," Ray said. "I am grateful for the opportunity to lead this baseball team. My family and I enjoy living in this community, and I have loved working with the highly motivated student-athletes in our program. I couldn't ask for a better group of fellow coaches and leadership in the department to work alongside. We are ready to build our program into a top North Coast Athletic Conference contender that will proudly represent Oberlin College on and off the field."
In 2022, he mentored junior Max Anastasio and freshman Jake Blozy to All-NCAC honors while raising the competitiveness of the team throughout the season.
Ray, who has extensive experience in player development and recruiting, has also coached youth baseball throughout the summer with the T3 Warhawks.
No stranger to the North Coast Athletic Conference, he was a standout player at the College of Wooster. A four-year letterman, Ray was the Scots' team captain in 2013 and was a 2012 All-NCAC first-team selection. During his tenure, he helped the Scots win three NCAC Championships before graduating with a bachelor's of arts degree in history.
He will assume full time head coaching responsibilities immediately.