SAN ANTONIO -- Scott Shepperd joins the UTSA baseball coaching staff as the pitching coach, head coach Pat Hallmark announced Monday
"Scott and I have worked together for seven years now," Hallmark said. "He's loyal and consistent. With Scott on staff, our pitching development process will be smoother and the learning curve shortened."
Shepperd served as the pitching coach for Hallmark at Incarnate Word the previous two seasons. Under his tutelage, the Cardinals pitching staff lowered the team's ERA by more than three runs per game. Prior to Shepperd's arrival, the Cardinals finished with a mark of 20-36 record, allowing 7.41 earned runs per contest in 2017. In 2018, the pitching staff registered a 4.82 ERA with 403 strikeouts and the team finished 28-26. Last season, the Cardinals finished 37-22 with a 4.14 staff ERA and fanning 469 batters.
"I am so grateful to Coach Hallmark and Dr. Lisa Campos for the opportunity to coach here at UTSA," Shepperd said. "I believe that the baseball program here has great potential for growth and I think we can get it moving pretty quick."
"I am anxious to get to go to work with our student-athletes. They all seem excited and ready to get rolling. The fall can't get here soon enough," Shepperd said.
Shepperd coached at Rice, Concordia (Texas) and Sam Houston State before joining Hallmark's staff at UIW.
As an assistant with Rice from 2013-17, Shepperd worked with hitters, outfielders and catchers while working as the administrator of the Owls' Youth Baseball Camps.
Shepperd previously served five seasons as a hitting coach at his alma mater, Concordia University. In 2012, he assisted the Tornados to a second-consecutive American Southwest Conference Tournament Championship and NCAA West Regional appearance with a 37-11 mark, which established a school record for wins in the program's NCAA Division III era.
Postseason accolades included All-American Southwest Conference honors for the starting catcher and all four starting infielders, while the staff earned the American Southwest Conference West Division Coaching Staff of the Year.
During the 2007-08 academic year as an assistant at Sam Houston State, Shepperd worked with infielders, catchers and hitters. The Bearkats earned an NCAA Regional appearance after claiming the Southland Conference Championship.
After a storied playing career at Concordia from 2003-06, Shepperd started coaching as a volunteer assistant coach for his alma mater. He served as the first base coach, recruiting coordinator and assistant hitting coach during the 2007 season.
In 2007 and 2008 he also was an assistant on the Anchorage Bucs staff of the Alaska Summer Baseball League.
Shepperd was a four-year letter winner as a catcher with the Tornados from 2003-06, helping his team qualify for the American Southwest Conference Tournament all four seasons. The Tornados posted a 103-62 record and were co-West Division regular-season champions in 2004 during his playing career.
Shepperd earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology from Concordia.
What They Are Saying About Shepperd
"Scott coached for me for five years at Rice. He came with a great baseball background and he coached with skill, energy and integrity. Scott cares about the student-athlete and shows it every day. I have known his entire family for many years and am certain of his character and commitment." – Wayne Graham, legendary Rice head coach and College Baseball Hall of Famer
"Scott has had the fortune of working with a vast number of outstanding coaches and baseball programs. He has gained a wealth of knowledge. Scott is a very attentive solid baseball man. He will be a strong asset to the program." – Mark Johnson, College Baseball Hall of Famer
"I have had the opportunity to watch Scott grow from a young aspiring coach to a superstar in our business!" – Ty Harrington, Former Texas State head coach
