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There is little Chris Bertrand has not done in his first six years on the Northwestern State baseball coaching staff.
Pitching coach? “Coach Bert” has done that. Coaching infielders? Check. Recruiting coordinator? Place another checkmark there.
As he begins his seventh season with the Demons, Bertrand — the Demon’s associate head coach since the summer of 2021— continues to be the staff’s jack of all coaching trades.
Bertrand’s steady hand has impacted various facets of the Demon program, including his Swiss army knife-like coaching ability.
After two seasons coaching the Demon infielders, Bertrand shifted gears and took over tutoring the NSU catchers in 2020.
In his second season on staff, Bertrand worked alongside head coach Bobby Barbier as his bench coach while tightening up the Northwestern State infield defense.
Working with the NSU infielders for the first time, Bertrand helped craft a group that turned the second-most double plays in school history (70) and finished the season ranked second nationally in double plays per game (1.13) and third in total double plays.
Bertrand did so while shuffling two key members of the Demons infield between second and third base. He also helped junior pitcher Ridge Heisler earn the pitcher’s spot on the Southland Conference All-Defensive Team as Heisler handled all 30 of his chances flawlessly while starting six double plays.
In his first season on staff, Bertrand was the Demons’ pitching coach.
Under Bertrand’s tutelage, senior right-hander Evan Tidwell worked a career-high 82 2-3 innings, allowing him to finish his career ninth in school history in innings pitched (241 2-3).
Additionally, sophomore Cullen McDonald tossed two complete games, ranking 58th nationally.
Prior to joining the Demons staff, Bertrand spent four seasons as the head coach at Texas-Tyler.
In those four seasons, Bertrand guided the Patriots to a 119-69 record, three American Southwest Conference championships and three NCAA Division III Tournament appearances.
“Chris has been a part of championship programs at every stop and will help us develop that championship culture here at Northwestern State,” head coach Bobby Barbier said.
As the Patriots head coach, Bertrand mentored six all-region players in his final two seasons, including four in 2015, led by American Southwest Conference Newcomer of the Year Jaime Paxton. He also coached and recruited a number of players on the Patriots’ squad that captured the 2018 NCAA Division III College World Series championship.
For their efforts, which included a 34-12 record and ASC regular-season and tournament championships, Bertrand and his staff were named the 2015 ASC Coaching Staff of the Year.
Bertrand’s Patriots teams were familiar with success on and off the diamond. In his first season, Bertrand had 13 players named Academic All-ASC while 12 of his players earned All-ASC East Division honors, including East Division Player of the Year Kevan House. House was a first-team All-Region selection that year while teammates Chance Cotton (second team) and Isaac Tijerina (third team) also earned all-region honors.
In all, Bertrand coached 41 all-conference and eight all-region selections at UT Tyler.
In addition to coaching at UT Tyler, Bertrand was the athletic department’s director of external marketing where he enhanced the game day experience for all Patriots athletics and enhanced the exposure and aesthetic of the UT Tyler athletic facilities.
Prior to his tenure at UT Tyler, Bertrand spent seven seasons as the pitching coach and associate head coach at LSU-Shreveport, helping the Pilots reach the NAIA World Series in back-to-back seasons (2011, 2012). His 2012 staff held the school records for shutouts (13) and ERA (3.10) until 2015. It still owns the school mark for strikeouts (476).
Bertrand helped coach right-hander Jared Mortensen, a former Houston Astros farmhand, to first-team All-America honors in 2012 and tutored 10 first-team all-conference pitchers in his LSUS tenure.
Bertrand also spent the summer of 2010 as the pitching coach for the Alexandria Aces of the Texas Collegiate League and three years as an associate scout for the Kansas City Royals. Bertrand is a member of the American Baseball Coaches’ Association, the Texas Baseball Coaches Association and the Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association.
He has spoken at the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association Convention and the Southern Baseball Association Baseball Recruiting Seminar and has published the article, “General Pitching Mechanics,” for www.insidepitching.com.
Bertrand played two seasons of baseball at Bossier Parish Community College before finishing his career at Louisiana College where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration. He earned his MBA from LSU-Shreveport in 2007.
An Abbeville native, Bertrand is married to the former Lori Quigley of Shreveport and the couple has a daughter, Rayleigh, and a son, Callen.
Joe Craighead is in his second year as a graduate manager with the Northwestern State baseball program.
This season, he will assist Dan Hlad in working with the Demon pitchers after spending the 2023 summer coaching with the Acadiana Cane Cutters of the Texas Collegiate League.
Craighead, whose father Chris played football at Northwestern State, came to NSU after spending the past three years as the head student manager and head of operations at Louisiana Tech where he worked under former Demon skipper Lane Burroughs.
While at Louisiana Tech, Craighead assisted in day-to-day operations of the Bulldog program, including setting up for practice, facilitating practice drills, creating and organizing scouting reports and assisting with team travel.
An August 2022 Louisiana Tech graduate in kinesiology, health and physical education, Craighead has worked with the CATS and Ruston Reds youth baseball organizations and was an assistant coach at Choudrant Junior High School in his hometown.
Craighead is pursuing a master’s degree in adult learning and development at Northwestern State.
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210 Central Ave, Natchitoches, LA
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Northwestern State University Baseball
- 3183813830
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Check out some of our FAQs below
Who can participate in your camps?
Our camps are open to all baseball players, regardless of skill level, age, grade level, or gender. We welcome beginners looking to learn the game as well as advanced players seeking to enhance their skills.
Who are the instructors?
Our camps boast a highly qualified and experienced coaching staff. Instructors include Northwestern State Baseball Coaches, and current players. This ensures that participants receive top-notch instruction from experts who are dedicated to fostering the growth and development of young athletes.
What safety measures will be in place?
The safety of our campers is of utmost importance to us. We maintain a safe and secure environment by adhering to all necessary health and safety guidelines. Our staff is trained to provide proper supervision and ensure that all equipment is in good condition.
How can I register my child for your camps?
Registration for our camps can be completed online through Play’n Sports software. The registration process will require basic information about your child, such as name, age/grade, emergency contact details, and any medical considerations. Specific instructions and registration deadlines will be available on the camp website.
