TRINIDAD, Colo. – Following an intensive national search, that brought in top candidates from around the United States, Justin Wichert has been named to be the next head coach of the Trojan Baseball team.

Wichert has spent the last four seasons as the assistant coach/pitching coach for the Lions at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. He began his college playing career at Cowley County Community College. While at Cowley County, he was selected in the MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres. After Cowley, Wichert pitched at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri where he received his bachelor's degree in Business Management.

In 2006 Wichert began his coaching career at William Jewel and has served in various coaching positions since. He also spent some time playing professional baseball as a pitcher in the Frontier, South Coast and Northern Independent professional baseball leagues. While playing professional baseball he played under many great managers including Cecil Fielder, Jackie Hernandez and Al Gallagher.

In the summer of 2012 Justin received his master's degree from Pittsburg State University in Health and Human Performance. 

"We are excited to bring Justin in to take over the Trojan Baseball team," commented Athletic Director Mike Salbato. "Justin came out on top of a great pool of candidates and I think he is the right person to lead the Trojan baseball team into the future. He has tremendous knowledge of the game, is a hard worker and comes with glowing recommendations from some of the top college baseball coaches."

Wichert and his wife Susie have two children. They will be moving to the Trinidad area in the near future.