Josh Hopper Takes the Helm of Coastal Carolina Pitching
Coastal Carolina University announced this week that Josh Hopper will serve as its new pitching coach, bringing a wealth of experience that spans two decades of collegiate and professional baseball.
Hopper spent the last five years within the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, where he contributed to the development of rising star Paul Skenes and helped shape a pitching staff that produced several Major League draft selections.
A Coach With Deep Roots in Player Development
Prior to his stint in Pittsburgh, Hopper coached at Dallas Baptist University, UAB, and Berry College, guiding each program to notable successes, including a 43‑win season at Dallas Baptist and a NAIA World Series appearance with Berry.
His work has consistently yielded MLB draft picks, with three players from Dallas Baptist entering the 2019 draft and nine selections emerging from his tenure at UAB.
Beyond the numbers, Hopper is known for his hands‑on approach to mechanics and his ability to mentor young arms, a skill set that aligns with Coastal Carolina’s ambition to elevate its program on the national stage.
Hopper’s playing background, which includes three all‑conference honors at Berry College and two seasons in the New York Mets system, gives him a player‑first perspective that he hopes to pass on to the Chanticleers.
University officials expressed confidence that his blend of analytical insight and personal experience will help the team pitch deeper into games and contend for conference titles.