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Van Hook Hired

Baseball Ian Applegate (@Ian_Applegate)

Oklahoma’s Clay Van Hook Tabbed To Lead UTA Baseball

ARLINGTON – Just days after helping lead Oklahoma to the College World Series Final, Clay Van Hook has been named the 7th head coach of the UT Arlington baseball program, announced incoming Director of Athletics Jon Fagg on Friday.

Van Hook has spent the past five seasons as an assistant coach for the Sooners, culminating with the aforementioned runner-up showing on college baseball’s greatest stage this past Sunday. While with the Sooners, he served as the hitting coach, helped create the offensive game plan and worked with the infielders. He was also the third base coach on game days and assisted in coordinating OU’s recruiting efforts.

I would first like to thank UTA President Jennifer Cowley, AD Jon Fagg and Deputy AD Russell Warren for the opportunity to be the next head baseball coach at the University of Texas at Arlington. My wife Selina, daughter Avery, and son Briscoe are truly blessed to be coming back to our home state of Texas and be a part of the UTA family. I would also like to thank the best coach I know and who started me in coaching – my dad.

The future of UTA athletics with new leadership and venturing into a new conference is a tremendous opportunity for our baseball program. I can’t wait to work with the community of Arlington, the staff and faculty at UTA and our incredible fan base and alumni in the near future. Go Mavs!
Clay Van Hook, UTA Baseball Head Coach
Follow Coach Van Hook on Twitter

This past season, the Sooners were one of the top offenses in the nation. OU finished in the top five in the NCAA in base on balls (3rd, 374) and stolen bases (4th, 145). They were also ranked in the top 15 in the NCAA in runs scored (11th, 518), hits (14th, 675) and on-base percentage (14th, .412).

A native of Brenham, Texas, with deep Lone Star State recruiting roots, Van Hook has served as Oklahoma’s recruiting coordinator since 2021. This past year, he was responsible for bringing in the nation’s 13th-ranked recruiting class, according to Baseball America.

In the past two years, OU has had 13 players selected in the MLB Draft. Additionally, in the 2018 MLB Draft, a pair of Sooners went in the first two rounds in Kyler Murray (1st Round, Pick 9) and Steele Walker (2nd Round, 46th Overall).

“Clay was an outstanding candidate in an outstanding pool. He stood out with his overall experiences, recent success at Oklahoma and their run at the College World Series, ties to Texas, background as a coach’s son and his personal and family’s journey that proves he has seen adversity and knows how to deal with it. We are really excited to welcome Clay to the UTA family and believe he will be a fantastic addition.”
Jon Fagg, Incoming UTA Director of Athletics

Prior to Oklahoma, Van Hook spent six seasons as an assistant coach at Rice. While with the Owls, he helped guide the program to NCAA Tournament appearances all six years from 2012 to 2017 and won the 2013 Oregon Regional.

Rice’s offense was nationally recognized in 2014 and 2015, finishing in the top 40 in the NCAA both seasons. During the 2014 campaign, Rice led Conference USA and had the 13th-most hits in the nation, averaging 10.2 per game.

During his tenure with Rice, the Owls claimed 11 All-Americans, 31 all-conference selections and had 28 players selected in the MLB Draft. 

Before getting to Rice, Van Hook was an assistant coach at McNeese State from 2009-11. The 2009 season saw the Cowboys set a school record in batting average (.312), while the 2010 team finished with the 7th-highest in school history. During his three seasons, he helped develop 14 all-league players and witnessed six players get drafted.

His coaching career began as a student assistant coach at Texas for the 2008 season.

Van Hook played one season at Navarro College before becoming a three-year letterman at Texas (2005-07). He was a member of the 2005 UT team which won the College World Series, and was a Second Team All-Big 12 pick that same year. Van Hook was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 2007 MLB Draft following his senior season.

Additional media availability information will be released in the coming days.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT VAN HOOK

No one is more qualified than Clay Van Hook to get this head coaching job. He is extremely knowledgeable, has a world of connections and has as good a resume as anyone. There is a wealth of talent in Texas and Clay knows where to find it.
- Wayne Graham, Former Rice Head Coach and 2012 College Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee
Clay Van Hook is one of the best and brightest minds in all of college baseball. I am thrilled for he and his family to have been given the incredible opportunity to lead the UTA baseball program.
- Skip Johnson, Oklahoma Head Coach

THE VAN HOOK FILE

Hometown: Brenham, Texas

High School: Brenham High School

Family: Selina (wife), Avery (daughter), Briscoe (son)

College: Texas, 2008

2022-Present: UTA (Head Coach)

2018-2022: Oklahoma (Assistant Coach)

2012-2017: Rice (Assistant Coach)

2009-2011: McNeese State (Assistant Coach)

2008: Texas (Student Assistant)

2005-07: Texas

*2005 College World Series Champion

2004: Navarro Junior College

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