In August of 2023, the Baton Rouge Rougarou have announced James Dillard as their new Head Coach. With an impressive background spanning nearly two decades in high school coaching and extensive experience in summer league baseball, Dillard brings a wealth of knowledge and a winning pedigree to his new role.
Left to Right - Josh Shelly (2023 TCL MVP), Ronnie Rantz (Rougarou Owner), James Dillard, Casey McKenzie (General Manager of the Rougarou)
Dillard's coaching journey has been marked by success at various levels of competition. Beginning his coaching career in 2002 as the Pitching Coach at the University of Texas at Dallas, he quickly made a name for himself with the team achieving two Conference Tournament Finalist appearances during his tenure.
His transition to high school coaching saw Dillard continue his winning ways. Notably, he guided Waco Reicher to a State Championship in 2006-2007, demonstrating his ability to lead teams to the highest levels of achievement. Throughout his career, Dillard has amassed over 200 wins as a Head Coach at the prep level, a testament to his ability to develop players.
Dillard's success extends beyond the high school ranks, with significant contributions to various summer league teams. His tenure with the Denton Outlaws in the Texas Collegiate League (TCL) saw him claim four championships, establishing himself as a formidable force in summer league baseball. Additionally, his role as Associate Head Coach and Pitching Coach with the Brazos Valley Bombers yielded two TCL championships and four playoff appearances, further solidifying his reputation as a top-tier coach.
Most recently, Dillard served as the Head Coach at Palestine High School before accepting the position with the Baton Rouge Rougarou.
With James Dillard at the helm, the Baton Rouge Rougarou are poised to embark on an exciting new chapter filled with promise and potential.