Chris Bertrand
Chris Bertrand, who most recently served as pitching coach and
recruiting coordinator for Louisiana State University in Shreveport, has
been named the head baseball coach at The University of Texas at Tyler,
Dr. 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 every year, and advanced to the World Series in 2011
and 2012. During the 2012 season, LSUS was ranked No. 1 in the NAIA.
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 University 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.
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