Baseball
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Phone:
- 325-3597
In late October 2015, Mississippi State head baseball coach John Cohen promised one of the nation’s elite pitching coaches would be joining his program soon.
State’s skipper fulfilled his promise when he announced 18-year coaching veteran Wes Johnson as MSU’s new pitching coach. Known nationally for his player development and ability to increase velocity throughout his staff, Johnson arrives in Starkville after serving as the pitching coach the past four years at Dallas Baptist University. During his tenure in Texas, DBU advanced to three NCAA Regionals, had 14 pitchers drafted and set single-season records for earned run average, strikeouts, saves and every other major statistical pitching category.
“We are pleased to welcome Coach Johnson to our staff,” said Cohen, whose last two pitching coaches went on to become head coaches alongside him in the Southeastern Conference. “His background and resume speaks for itself. Wes is one of the premier pitching coaches in the country. His teaching skills and adaptability will make this transition seamless.”
Johnson's track record for development is apparent in the fact that he has had 24 pitchers drafted or sign professional contracts in the last eight years. This past summer, Johnson had five pitchers chosen in the first 12 rounds, more than any Southeastern Conference school. The last three seasons, Johnson has had seven pitchers selected in the top-10 rounds, which would have tied for the most in the SEC during that span. Dallas Baptist had only six pitchers drafted in the first 10 rounds in the 44 years prior to Johnson’s arrival (1967-2011). Under Johnson, 11 pitchers topped out at 97 mph or higher for the first time in their careers.
“It is a tremendous honor to join the Mississippi State baseball program and I want to thank Scott Stricklin and head coach John Cohen for this wonderful opportunity,” Johnson said. “Having lived in the South my entire life surrounded by college baseball, I am very aware of MSU’s tradition and prestige. I look forward to working with this talented pitching staff and bringing the very best out of them as we continue our quest to succeed at the highest level.”
Johnson was a key component in DBU winning a school-record 46 games in 2015, hosting their first NCAA Regional and earning the program’s highest final ranking in school history. The Sherwood, Arkansas native had three pitchers earn All-America honors and two more earn all-conference accolades from the Missouri Valley Conference.
Arguably his greatest success story is former DBU righty Brandon Koch, who arrived in Dallas as a shortstop and left as the greatest closer in school history. Working daily with Johnson, Koch went from a 7.20 ERA his freshman year to breaking the school record with a 0.64 ERA in 2014. That season he and fellow pitcher Paul Voelker earned first-team All-MVC honors, leading the staff to new school records in strikeouts (506) and batting average against (.248), while winning the MVC Tournament and receiving the No. 2 seed in the TCU Regional.
In 2015, Koch shattered the school record with 15.91 strikeouts per nine innings. As a result, the hard-throwing righty earned All-America honors from four different media outlets in his final year with the Patriots, as well as being named an NCBWA Stopper of the Year finalist.
“Player development and building relationships are my biggest priorities with my pitchers,” Johnson explained. “This group of arms will work hard and throw harder. I truly believe this staff I inherit is one of the best in the country and I will do everything I can to ensure they maximize their talents to where they have success in Starkville and at the next level.”
Prior to DBU, Johnson served as the pitching coach at Central Arkansas for three seasons, where his pitchers set Division I school records in ERA, WHIP, strikeouts, opponent batting average and fewest walks. Johnson had five players who were either drafted or signed professionally during his time in Conway.
Sandwiched in between stints at UCA, Johnson mentored pitchers as an assistant at Southern Arkansas, Led by Hayden Simpson, the 16th overall pick in the 2010 MLB Draft, five more of Johnson’s pupils were drafted or went pro. In 2009, he helped lead the Muleriders to a 52-11 overall mark after owning a top-10 ERA nationally while setting school records in strikeouts and fewest walks allowed. The 499 strikeouts broke a Gulf South Conference record and were a big reason why USA was ranked No. 1 in the Division II Top-25 for 20 weeks.
Aside from his collegiate coaching experience, Johnson spent four seasons as the head coach of Abundant Life High School in Sherwood, Arkansas. During his tenure there, Johnson guided the Owls to an impressive 102-25 overall record. In his final two campaigns for ALHS, he led the team to two straight state championship games, which resulted in a state championship in 2006 and a runner-up finish in 2007. While coaching high school and American Legion from 1997-2007, 28 players signed an NCAA Letter of Intent. In addition, four players were drafted.
Johnson earned a degree in marketing in December 1994 from the University of Arkansas Monticello. While at DBU, Johnson earned 33 hours working toward his masters in kinesiology. Off the field, he and his wife Angie have three children - Ryan (22), Anna (16) and Ava (6). The Johnsons attend First Baptist Church in Midlothian, Texas.
“Recruiting is the lifeblood of any program and MSU has done a great job in landing three straight top-10 recruiting classes,” said Johnson, who made DBU one of three programs nationally to have a pitcher drafted in the top three rounds in each of the last three years. “Along with Coach Cohen and Coach (Nick) Mingione, I will work tirelessly toward our goal of making sure the best high school players in the country attend Mississippi State.”Quotes and Video from Coach Johnson's First Press Conference
Mississippi State players embrace Coach Johnson on first day of work
Photo Gallery: Coach Johnson's first day at work
What They Are Saying About Wes Johnson:
“I know Wes as one of the most forward thinking and knowledgeable pitching coaches in the game. Technology and reams of data have changed the way we evaluate and develop pitchers. No person I know has a better handle on how to blend this emerging science with the art of coaching like Wes. If you want to be sure to maximize your innate talent, you're in good hands with Wes Johnson.” – Scott Lovekamp, New York Yankees Pitching Analyst
“Wes Johnson is and has become one of the most innovative pitching coaches in college or professional baseball. His ability to take a holistic approach to the pitching delivery should bring MSU efficient and healthy pitchers. Wes’ strength is his never-ending pursuit of a better way. The Houston Astros will definitely keep a close eye on his guys.” – Brent Strom, Houston Astros Pitching Coach
“Wes Johnson is one of the outstanding pitching minds in the game of baseball. He approaches the game with a growth mindset. Wes is always looking to learn, advance his ideas and think creatively. He continues to utilize all the information available to have the biggest and most positive impact on his players. The culture he creates is infectious. I love talking pitching with him and am beyond excited to see him step in at MSU and get to work.” – Eric Binder, Cleveland Indians Assistant Director of Player Development
“I had the opportunity to see the pitching program Wes Johnson put together at Dallas Baptist University up close, and I have to say in my opinion it is one of the most comprehensive programs I have ever seen in the professional or college ranks. With Wes’ knowledge, expertise and experience, he gives his pitchers the best chance of reaching their full potential. Wes’ track record speaks for itself – His pitchers get better. Mississippi State is getting one heck of a pitching coach.” – Dewey Robinson, Tampa Bay Rays Minor League Pitching Coordinator
"Wes is as good as they get. He has a passion for development and doing everything possible to help pitchers reach their full potential. He is innovative, but has the ability to make the complex seem very simple to pitchers, which is how it needs to be when they are in a game. He is also positive and personable, which enables him to treat each pitcher as an individual and helps them come up with their own plan of attacking hitters." – Dan Heefner, Dallas Baptist Head Coach
“Mississippi State is fortunate to have Wes Johnson as part of their staff. I have known Wes for more than 20 years. I have played against him, coached against him and coached with him. From the first time I met him, I knew he had a burning passion for the game and knew he would do great things in baseball. Subsequently, this passion has landed him one of the best positions in college baseball and I could not be happier for him and his family.” – Allen Gum, Central Arkansas Head Coach
“I learned so much from Wes Johnson. I think he is one of the best pitching coaches in the country. He was real big on the mental side of the game and then, obviously, on how to be physically prepared to go out and pitch. I learned a lot about feel, and when I was throwing balls, I knew where to hit the zones with my breaking ball and the same thing with my fastball.” – Cy Sneed, 3rd Round Pick in 2014 MLB Draft
“Wes Johnson is a name that not a lot of people in Mississippi and elsewhere will know, but he’s an outstanding pitching coach who has flown under the radar at Dallas Baptist. Not only has DBU had premier, big-time arms throughout Wes’ tenure, but many of those big arms were developed into that by Wes. He is capable of making sure the power arm makes a smooth transition to college, and he can turn the average arm into one of the best. He is one of the best.” – Kendall Rogers, National Writer and Editor, D1Baseball.com
“Wes Johnson earned a strong reputation at Dallas Baptist for his ability to develop a hard-throwing pitching staff. The three power relievers drafted in the top five rounds out of Dallas Baptist in June (Chance Adams, Brandon Koch and Drew Smith) are prime examples of the kind of pitchers that populated the Patriots staff during his tenure.” – Teddy Cahill, National Writer, Baseball America
“Wes Johnson is highly regarded both as an elite pitching coach and an outstanding recruiter. His detailed and innovative approach produced remarkable results as his pitchers consistently made big jumps during their collegiate careers. Wes' staffs are known for having power-armed relievers with power breaking stuff but his versatility was seen in rotations that were more versed in pitchablity and command.” – Mike Rooney, College Baseball Analyst, Perfect Game
The Johnson File…
Personal
Birthdate Sept. 9, 1971
Hometown Sherwood, Arkansas
Wife Angie
Children Ryan, Anna and Ava
Education
High School Sylvan Hills (Ark.), 1990
College Arkansas-Monticello, 1994 (Marketing)
Graduate Dallas Baptist (33 Hours Toward Masters in Kinesiology)
Playing Career
1987-90 Sylvan Hills (Ark.) High School
1991 Texas Wesleyan
1992-93 Arkansas-Monticello
Coaching Career
1997-02 Assistant Coach, Sylvan Hills (Ark.) High School
2003 Assistant Coach, Arkansas Baptist High School
2004-07 Head Coach, Abundant Life High School (Sherwood, Ark.)
2007-08 Assistant Coach, Central Arkansas
2009 Assistant Coach, Southern Arkansas
2010-11 Assistant Coach, Central Arkansas
2012-15 Assistant Coach, Dallas Baptist
Present Assistant Coach, Mississippi State
Johnson At Dallas Baptist By The Numbers…
14 Pitchers Drafted
7 Players Named All-Missouri Valley Conference
7 Pitchers Drafted In Top-10 Rounds
3 NCAA Regionals
3 All-Americans
1 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Championship
Players Drafted Under Johnson at Dallas Baptist (14)
Year Round (Overall Pick) Name Team
2015 3 (99) Drew Smith Detroit
2015 4 (118) Brandon Koch Tampa Bay
2015 5 (153) Chance Adams New York (AL)
2015 8 (246) Cory Taylor San Francisco
2015 12 (359) Joe Shaw New York (NL)
2014 3 (85) Cy Sneed Milwaukee
2014 10 (310) Paul Voelker Detroit
2013 2 (68) Jake Johansen Washington
2013 29 (877) Michael Smith Los Angeles (AL)
2013 35 (1049) Cody Beam Pittsburgh
2012 13 (409) Stuart Pudenz Oakland
2012 27 (826) Jake Johansen Pittsburgh
2012 29 (889) Taylor Massey Oakland
2012 36 (1107) Kenny Hatcher Los Angeles (AL)
NEWS COVERAGE FROM JOHNSON'S HIRING
HailStateBEAT– Who is Wes Johnson away from the diamond?
SEC Network – John Cohen brings in pitching coach Wes Johnson
Bulldog Sports Radio – Wes Johnson Interview
Head to Head Radio – Wes Johnson Interview (32 Minutes In)
Clarion Ledger – New pitching coach turns heads by increasing velocity
Clarion Ledger – MSU introduces Wes Johnson as new pitching coach
Daily Journal – Johnson to coach MSU’s pitching
Starkville Daily News – Johnson becomes MSU pitching coach
The Dispatch - Cohen finds right fit to replace Thompson
The Dispatch – MSU will name Johnson to replace Thompson
The Dispatch – Wes Johnson named MSU’s pitching coach
Scout – Wes Johnson: A quick analysis
Scout – Mississippi State’s new pitching coach already on the job
Scout – John Cohen talks about Wes Johnson
247Sports – Cohen finds fit with pitching coach Wes Johnson
247Sports – MSU Baseball Fall Breakdown
