Former MLB Pitcher Garrett Richards Named Associate Head Coach of Oklahoma Baseball in…

Sooner Surprise: Former MLB Pitcher Garrett Richards Named Associate Head Coach of Oklahoma Baseball in Ambitious Move

 

NORMAN, Okla. — May 29, 2025 — In a stunning and ambitious move that has already begun to reverberate across the world of collegiate baseball, the University of Oklahoma has announced the appointment of former Major League Baseball pitcher Garrett Richards as the new Associate Head Coach of the Sooners baseball program. Richards, a 13-year MLB veteran known for his electric fastball, intense mound presence, and resilience through injuries, joins the Oklahoma Sooners with the promise of ushering in a new era of firepower, discipline, and elite-level pitching development in Norman.

 

The announcement came early Thursday morning, with Sooners athletic director Joe Castiglione flanked by Head Coach Skip Johnson and Richards himself at a press conference held inside Love’s Fieldhouse, which was packed with media, players, alumni, and diehard fans. The decision to bring in Richards, a former standout at the University of Oklahoma and a 2009 first-round MLB Draft pick, signals not only a homecoming but also a bold step forward for a program that has been knocking on the door of national prominence for the better part of a decade.

 

A Homegrown Star Returns

 

Garrett Richards is no stranger to the crimson and cream. Before becoming a prominent figure in the MLB, Richards starred as a right-handed pitcher for the Oklahoma Sooners from 2007 to 2009, where he displayed early signs of the flamethrowing ability that would later define his pro career. In his junior year, Richards posted a 9–2 record with a 3.45 ERA and struck out 104 batters over 98.1 innings — catching the attention of major league scouts and earning him a first-round selection by the Los Angeles Angels.

 

“This is a dream come true,” said a visibly emotional Richards during the press conference. “Oklahoma shaped me into the man and the competitor I became in the majors. To return to Norman not just as a proud alum, but as a coach entrusted with helping these young men reach their full potential — it’s the greatest honor of my life.”

 

Richards, now 36, emphasized his commitment to developing not just elite pitchers but complete athletes. “My goal isn’t to turn these guys into robots chasing radar gun readings. I want to help them understand the art and science of pitching — the mentality, the biomechanics, the recovery, the strategy. I want to build warriors.”

 

MLB Pedigree Meets Collegiate Ambition

 

Richards brings a résumé rarely seen in the college baseball coaching ranks. His MLB career, which spanned stints with the Angels, Padres, Red Sox, and Rangers, included a career ERA of 3.85, a fastball that touched 100 mph, and multiple top-of-the-rotation performances. Perhaps more significantly, Richards battled through multiple major injuries — including UCL damage, a torn patellar tendon, and various shoulder ailments — experiences that shaped his understanding of arm care, recovery, and mental toughness.

 

“I’ve pitched through every high and low imaginable,” Richards said. “I know what it feels like to dominate and what it feels like to rehab for 12 months. That knowledge — that journey — is what I want to share with these kids.”

 

Head Coach Skip Johnson, himself a renowned pitching mind, was effusive in his praise of Richards and the dynamic he brings to the staff.

 

“Garrett is the total package,” Johnson said. “He has the MLB pedigree, the Oklahoma heart, and the hunger to teach. He’s walked the path our guys dream of walking. And he’s not coming here for a victory lap — he’s coming to work, to innovate, and to win championships.”

 

Johnson added that Richards would have wide latitude in structuring Oklahoma’s pitching philosophy and training regimens, calling him “a partner in every sense.”

 

A Vision for the Future

 

Behind the scenes, the decision to bring in Richards is part of a broader strategy to elevate Oklahoma baseball into the elite tier of national programs as the Sooners prepare for their full transition into the SEC, a league where baseball powerhouses like LSU, Florida, and Arkansas rule the diamond.

 

“We knew we had to think big,” said Castiglione. “The SEC demands excellence across the board. With Garrett, we’re planting our flag. We’re saying Oklahoma is ready to be a baseball juggernaut.”

 

Richards is expected to take a lead role not only in pitching development but in recruiting, especially targeting top arms from Texas, California, and the Midwest. His name recognition alone is anticipated to open doors, and his charismatic personality is already resonating with current players and recruits alike.

 

“I grew up watching him pitch in the big leagues,” said sophomore ace Jordan Massey. “To now be able to learn from him every day is surreal. He gets it — he talks to us like someone who’s been through it, not just someone with a whistle.”

 

Emphasis on Health, Recovery, and Mental Performance

 

One of Richards’ top priorities is modernizing Oklahoma’s approach to arm care and recovery. Drawing from his own experience with the Angels’ advanced sports science department and later with cutting-edge rehab work during his time in San Diego and Boston, Richards is working closely with Sooners athletic trainers and performance staff to implement a holistic player-care model.

 

“It’s not just long toss and ice packs anymore,” he explained. “We’re integrating mobility work, individualized strength programming, nutrition, mental performance coaching — all of it. These guys need to be treated like pros because their bodies are their careers.”

 

In tandem with these changes, sources indicate that Oklahoma is already exploring renovations to its pitching lab facilities, including motion-capture technology, Rapsodo integration, and biomechanics software — all championed by Richards.

 

“He’s not just a coach; he’s a force of innovation,” said pitching coordinator Clay Thompson. “You walk into his office and he’s got film breakdowns of our bullpen sessions next to charts on elbow valgus stress. He’s merging old-school grit with next-gen insight.”

 

Support from the Sooner Community

 

The appointment has drawn praise from across the Sooner sports community. Former Oklahoma baseball coach Sunny Golloway called the hire “one of the most important in program history,” while football legend Baker Mayfield posted on X, formerly Twitter: “Let’s gooo Garrett!! Love seeing Sooners give back to the next generation. #BoomerSooner.”

 

Even former MLB teammates chimed in. Mike Trout, who played alongside Richards with the Angels, wrote, “Oklahoma just landed a beast. One of the best teammates I ever had — fierce, loyal, smart. Big things ahead for that program.”

 

A New Era Dawns in Norman

 

While Richards is set to assume full responsibilities immediately — including summer camps and recruitment strategy — his long-term ambition for the Sooners is crystal clear.

 

“I didn’t come here to relive the past,” Richards said with conviction. “I came here to build something better than anything we’ve seen before. I want Norman to be the capital of college baseball. I want kids from across America dreaming of pitching for Oklahoma. And I want to hoist a national championship trophy with Skip and this team.”

 

As the crowd inside the Fieldhouse gave him a standing ovation, it was clear: Garrett Richards is more than just a high-profile hire. He’s the embodiment of the new Oklahoma baseball — bold, relentless, and ready to take the nation by storm.

 

Boomer Sooner.