Courtesy of Staff Reports
Louisiana Tech Associate head coach Mitch Gaspard has announced his retirement after five years with the Bulldogs and three-plus decades of collegiate coaching.
Gaspard began his college coaching career in 1988 at the University of Houston while also serving as an assistant at UL-Lafayette, Northwestern State and Alabama until his first head coaching stint at Northwestern State (2002-2007). He also spent seven seasons as the head coach at Alabama (2010-2016).
He joined the Tech staff in 2019 after serving as a volunteer coach at Georgia the previous season.
“Coach Gaspard has meant so much to me personally and professionally, but the value he added to our program cannot be measured,” said head coach Lane Burroughs. “He’s been with me longer than any assistant I’ve had since becoming a head coach, and I leaned on him in all aspects of running a top Division 1 Baseball program.”
Gaspard accepted the position of associate head coach at Louisiana Tech in the summer of 2019 following a stint at the University of Georgia as a volunteer assistant coach in 2018-19. Since then as the hitting coach, Gaspard has helped produce five All-Americans (Parker Bates, Hunter Wells, Taylor Young, Ethan Bates, and Cole McConnell) as well as 14 All-Conference USA selections.
“There aren’t enough words to sum up what this man meant to so many players,” said former Bulldog Parker Bates via his X account. “One of the most selfless people I know. He helped me and so many others achieve goals that we never thought were possible. Congratulations, Coach Gaspard. Thank you for everything!!”
He played a key role in helping the Bulldogs win three CUSA titles, including the 2024 regular season championship and 45 wins. Tech also made NCAA Regional appearances in 2021, 2022, and 2024.
“Coach Gaspard is truly one of the good ones,” said Burroughs. “In over 30 years of doing this, I’ve never heard another person say anything negative about him. We truly appreciate his time and the sweat equity he built up here at Louisiana Tech.
“We wish him and Mrs. Kim all the best as they venture into retirement and spending more time with their children and grandchildren. If anyone deserves to go out on their own accord, it’s coach Gaspard. They will always be Bulldogs and have a place here at the Love Shack.”
The Port Arthur, Texas native will close his coaching legacy with an overall record of 444-331.
