UT Tyler baseball coach steps away from program

From UT Tyler Athletics

TYLER, Texas – UT Tyler Director of Athletics Sam Ferguson announced Monday the resignation of head baseball coach Brent Porche, who is stepping down to accept a job in the private sector as a Financial Advisor for New York Life after leading the program since 2017.

“Coach Porche has done an incredible job with our baseball program,” Ferguson said. “He led us to a Division III NCAA Championship and most recently back-to-back NCAA II College World Series. It takes elite coaching to pull off that kind of success on the field. However, I’m more grateful for the ways he has poured into our guys and developed them as men. Our mission is to mold student-athletes into champions of character, champions of competition, and champions in their careers – Coach Porche’s program accomplished that mission.”

Porche began his coaching career at UT Tyler in 2017 and amassed a 345-151 record in 10 seasons leading the Patriots and finishes his career as the winningest baseball coach in UT Tyler baseball history. In 2018, when the Patriots were members of NCAA Division III, he led UT Tyler to its only NCAA baseball championship. This season, Porche guided UT Tyler to its second consecutive appearance in the Division II College World Series, advancing his squad to the national semifinals. The Patriots completed the 2026 campaign with a 50-14 overall record and Lone Star Conference regular season and tournament championships – both firsts in the program’s history to go along with a record win total.

“Since I was 14 years old, it has been my dream to be a college baseball coach,” said Porche. “Through the sacrifices of so many, my grandparents, my parents Chris and Belinda, and most of all my wife Crystal and our boys Braiden and Owen, I was able to live that dream for the past 18 years. I’m so incredibly thankful to so many who have made this the most rewarding 18 years of my life.”

Porche also was thankful for the baseball influences, who provided him with opportunities in his career.

“Coach Rocke Musgraves, coach Wade Simoneaux and coach Chris Bertrand,” Porche said. “I’ve been so blessed over these last 18 years to work with great players and coaches who have helped to mold me into the person I am today.”

Porche said the “highlight” of the past 18 years has been his 10 years at UT Tyler.

“Thank you to Dr. Patterson and Dr. Mabry for giving me this opportunity, Dr. Tidwell for having the vision to elevate our programs to Division II, and Dr. Calhoun, Dr. Philley, Chis Bizot and Dr. Ferguson for supporting our vision and mission for our program,” Porche said. “Tyler and this baseball program have become my home. To my players, I can’t thank all of you enough for believing in me and giving me everything that you possibly could. It has been the honor and privilege of my life to have been your coach. I will miss the relationships, watching guys grow in the game and in their lives, but I won’t be far and I can promise you I will be the biggest Patriot baseball fan there is.”

The Patriots advanced to five NCAA Regional Tournaments in seven opportunities, during Porche’s tenure, a pair at the Division III level and three since joining the NCAA II ranks. He also added a 2017 American Southwest Conference Regular Season and Tournament Championship in his first year to the most recent LSC Championships. During his career, he coached 11 All-Americans and 27 All-Regional performers. In 2018, he was named the ABCA National Coach of the Year and earned Regional Coach of the Year honors in 2025 and 2026. The LSC honored Porche and staff as this season’s Coaching Staff of the Year following their regular season conference championship.

“I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built,” Porche said. “This program has always had an incredibly high standard of excellence, and I believe we did our part to carry that forward and elevate it. I look forward to watching the Patriots win many more LSC Championships, future trips to Cary, and bringing home a National Championship! Go Pats!”

Porche began his head coaching career at LSU Alexandria where he held a 147-83 record. He coached the Generals from 2013-2016 and won a pair of Red River Conference Championships in 2015 and 2016. LSU Alexandria also made three NAIA National Tournament appearances during Porche’s four-year stint as the skipper. He finishes his career with a 492-232 record and a .678 winning percentage.

UT Tyler plans to introduce their new head coach at a press conference in the Alumni House on Tuesday, June 23 at 10 a.m.